As the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) weighs the future of fare-free bus service, a new poll of the region finds that seven-in-ten residents support continuing the 4-year-old policy. A majority (54%) strongly support continuing free fares. And nearly half of current riders surveyed say they would ride the bus less (26%) or stop riding altogether (19%)
The Senate makes bold investment in regional transit
The Gateway Cities Journal
Inadequate public transportation has long been a shared concern for Gateway City leaders across the state. Many of their residents are simply trapped on nights and weekends, when bus service is either extremely infrequent or entirely unavailable. This has serious implications for individual health and wellbeing. It also reduces the available workforce, and regional economic
Amendment to House budget seeks to untap Gateway City housing reservoir
The Gateway Cities Journal
The House Ways & Means Committee unveiled its FY24 budget and an accompanying tax package last week. The pair of bills call for investing more than $1 billion to respond to the state’s housing crisis. This is roughly double the state’s annual housing spend pre-COVID. Unfortunately, the House departed from the Healey administration and left
Poll: More than three-quarters of Massachusetts residents support boosting funding for regional bus service
79% of Massachusetts residents support increasing funding for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)
As lawmakers on Beacon Hill dig in on this year’s state budget, 79% of Massachusetts residents support increasing funding for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), which provide local bus and paratransit service beyond the reaches of MBTA bus and subway service. Nearly as many (74%) support using some of the new voter-approved surtax
Governor Healey’s budget invests in Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities Journal
Our last journal offered thoughts on how Governor Healey can position Gateway Cities to thrive in this post-pandemic era by increasing the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), investing in regional transit, and lowering commuter rail fares. Now that the administration has unveiled its first budget, our readers will want to know, how did they do?
A Gateway Cities Strategy for the Healey–Driscoll Administration
Transition Briefing Memorandum
Governor Healey takes office at a pivotal moment. State government must deploy a deluge of federal resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The mandate to leverage this unprecedented investment to combat the commonwealth’s two most existential threats—climate change and rising inequality—has never
Poll: 78% of voters view transportation system in only ‘fair or poor’ condition
New MassINC Polling Group Poll finds 59% of voters support future MBTA shutdowns to expedite improvements
October 20, 2022 Voters have a long transportation to-do list for the next governor of Massachusetts. Improving roads, bridges, and public transit is the top priority, but voters also support major expansions like bringing rail service to Western Massachusetts and reimagining the Commuter Rail network. To pay for it all, voters continue to support Question
Poll: Massachusetts residents support policies to make transportation cleaner, more equitable, and more affordable.
New MassINC Polling Group Poll finds residents favor both low-income fares and fare-free buses, expanded commuter benefits, EV and e-bike rebates.
New report from The MassINC Polling Group finds Massachusetts residents support policies to make transportation cleaner, more equitable, and more affordable.
Senate budget key to future of housing and transportation in Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities Journal
The Senate budget debate next week could determine how competitive Gateway Cities will be in the post-pandemic economy. At a key moment when housing and transportation investments could help make these communities more attractive for an age of remote work, the danger of missing out on the opening and backsliding is real. Housing: Housing Development
Gateway Hubs Project Director advocates for a flexible approach in MBTA Communities letter
MassINC’s Gateway Hubs Project Director André Leroux weighed in on DHCD’s draft guidelines for this “transit-oriented zoning” program, called MBTA Communities.