The Commonwealth’s greatest transportation success in a generation came about not because of a megaproject, but because of a transformative idea: public transportation should be free in places where our residents suffer the greatest isolation.
Many of the state’s regional transit authorities (RTAs) experimented with fare-free service as a necessity during the pandemic, led by Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) and the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA).
Recently, MeVa hired Stantec and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to explore whether its fare-free program, launched nearly three years ago, has been worth it. The case study concludes that it has. Some of the remarkable findings:
- Ridership is up 60% over pre-pandemic levels
- Even before the pandemic, bus fares only covered 9% of its operating expenses. More than a quarter of that fare revenue (.27 of every dollar) simply paid for the expense of collecting the fares (such as fare boxes in buses, safe room, security service, staff time, etc.)
- Nearly 40% of riders make less than $25,000 annually
- Only 12% of riders had access to a private vehicle
- Nearly 30% of riders are new users of the bus system
- Riders are saving an average of $230 per year
- The study estimates $300,000 in reduced operating costs and $1.7 million in economic benefits, not to mention the more than $1.5 million in fares directly in consumer pockets
- The system operates more efficiently, with satisfied drivers and riders and better utilized buses
These conclusions encouraged MeVa’s board last week to endorse fare-free service as a permanent policy.
Why does this change have such a big impact? Massachusetts, like the rest of the U.S., follows a public transportation model where riders pay more for longer rides. This makes sense for transportation agencies seeking to recover their costs, but it ignores the consumer’s motivations. Individuals constantly balance cost and convenience when making their decisions, and that applies equally to transportation.
Paying for highly inconvenient public transportation (infrequent service, slow pace, doesn’t go where you want to) can embitter residents who decide that it’s not worth it. They skip medical appointments and shopping unless they can get a ride. A low-paying job may be more of a cost and hassle than it’s worth to get there and back. Their social isolation deepens.
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center recently added to this growing body of evidence in favor of fare-free RTAs with a review of the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA)’s program.
Compared to its two neighboring RTAs— Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) and the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA)—SRTA’s ridership grew by nearly 56% year in year, while CCRTA and GATRA ridership recovered only 3.9% and 4.4% respectively. That means SRTA added more than half a million new bus rides in a region of 322,000 residents and grew about 14 times faster than its sister RTAs.
State Investment
In recent years, and thanks in large part to Fair Share revenues, modest investment by the state has enabled RTAs to go fare-free while improving service overall, such as offering weekend and evening hours.
The Healey administration and the Legislature allocated $30 million in 2024 for 13 of the 15 regional transit authorities in the state (not including the MBTA) to implement fare-free bus service as well as paratransit rides for disabled residents.
At $30 million per year, the state could sustain free RTA bus service for 150 years before reaching the $4.5 billion cost of replacing both Cape Cod bridges. At $50 million per year, the state could include all 15 RTAs and add service improvements. At $100 million per year, every RTA could improve service on key routes to every 20 minutes, add drivers, and serve more neighborhoods.
Since over half of the Massachusetts population lives in a region covered by an RTA, this new paradigm could radically improve the quality of life for residents and offer a real alternative for getting around.
In the coming years, Massachusetts will be challenged to spend its transportation dollars most wisely. The emerging data indicates that free fares in regions not served by the MBTA can create the transportation system of the future with today’s budget.
HOUSING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- The Healey-Driscoll administration releases the state’s first-ever housing production plan.
- MassCEC launches no-cost navigator pilot program, providing personalized support to help renters and homeowners in Lowell and Springfield lower their energy bills.
- MassHousing provides $30 million in financing for new 94-unit TOD project developed by NeighborWorks Housing Solutions in Brockton.
- The Central Exchange Building in Downtown Worcester will soon be home to a new entrepreneurship hub.
- Lawrence Community Works breaks ground on a new mixed-use development that includes a family-owned Latin/Carribean supermarket.
- National Grid pulls the plug on geothermal pilot program in Lowell.
- Single stair reforms are moving forward in other states to make infill on small lots work.
- The Massachusetts Broadband Institute opens a third round of the Residential Retrofit Program to wire affordable housing developments across the state.
TRANSPORTATION
- Merrimack Valley RTA releases case study showing positive economic impact of fare-free bus service.
EDUCATION
- Education advocates say Massachusetts is losing its edge.
- Claudia Green and MassINC’s Ben Forman write for the BBJ on the benefits of the major investments in ESOL that Gov. Healey has proposed.
COMMUNITIES & PEOPLE
- Gateway Cities are running up the score. Fall River’s Vanson Leathers Made DJ Mustard’s Super Bowl Jacket. Haven Paper in Holyoke makes the cover for the program.
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