![]() It also indicated that the service change and fare increase allowed PVTA to balance the budget while having an impact on the fewest number of passengers and retaining the majority of service. “This is PVTA’s first fare increase in almost a decade,” PVTA stated in its 2019 annual report. Franklin Regional Transit Authority also raised its fares last July. Springfield-based Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), which has the highest ridership with more than 12 million passengers every year, has raised fares and last summer cut down bus routes to deal with its budget crunch. In FY2020, the Baker administration proposed a $90.5 million funding, including $3.5 million from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on a discretionary basis.ĭepending on the region, service decisions - including canceling routes or deciding not to provide certain services - are based on budget, not based on need. ![]() Then, in fiscal year 2018, state funding was reduced to $80.4 million. The RTAs received a 2.5% increase in state funding between fiscal years 20, but, in fiscal year 2017, state funding remained level at $82 million. The Transportation Finance Act in 2013 proposed annual funding increases of 2.5% from the state.Įach RTA’s budget breaks down differently, but on average, they receive 39% of their operating funding from the state, 24% from federal grants, 20% from local funds, 13% from fare revenues, and 4% from other sources, according to the advocacy group Transportation for Massachusetts. RTAs are funded through a combination of state and federal funding, local assessments, fares and other revenue, such as advertising. “I don’t think the nine months is enough time for us to decide conclusively whether it’s working or not working,” Scanlon said. The LRTA already has submitted another application for FY2020 funding to extend the pilot program, in order to make proper adjustments and improve the service. James Scanlon, an LRTA administrator, and Ali Bent, the manager of grants and planning, said it’s a “good thing” and “something they should do” to provide Sunday service in one of the largest cities in Massachusetts. In June, Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) launched a nine-month pilot program for a Sunday schedule on selected routes. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get additional funding from the state.” “We are trying to find additional funding to start service on Sundays,” Gay said. Currently, only one GATRA route runs on Sundays between Wheaton College and the Mansfield MBTA commuter rail station in Norton, and it doesn’t operate during winter and summer breaks. Or when they get off an RTA bus, they want to be able to get a bike share to get home,” Casale said.įrancis Gay, the administrator from Greater Attleboro Taunton Transit Authority (GATRA), said there have been a number of requests for Sunday service from different regions served by GATRA. “When people get off the commuter rail, they want to be able to hop on an RTA bus to get home. ![]() In other cases, RTA service isn’t synced up with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail service, meaning commuters have to drive to the train station instead of being able to rely on the bus. He also mentioned limited service between RTA service areas, which can bring challenges to people who travel between regions. The inconvenience stems from the infrequency of service and limited schedule of routes, said Matt Casale of MASSPIRG, regarding the hourly basis and daytime-only schedule in some regions, noting it could make it difficult for students to rely on the bus. The Franklin Regional Transit Authority, which serves Franklin County, North Quabbin and nearby areas, doesn’t provide service on weekends. The same holds true for the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority and Cape Ann Transit Authority. Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, which serves New Bedford, Fall River and nearby communities, doesn’t run on Sundays. Some provide services like commuter rail shuttles. “And sometimes the buses run early and the next one runs late, so you can get stuck somewhere for an hour.”Ĭurrently, RTAs have two main types of service: fixed-route bus runs with regular schedules, set routes and times and “demand response,” providing on-demand service or paratransit for seniors and people with disabilities. Trying to get stuff done in one day can be tough,” said Tammy Castro, a resident of Attleboro. While Massachusetts has 15 regional transit authorities (RTAs) providing local bus service in communities throughout the commonwealth, none of them can afford to provide late-night service, and many do not run on Sundays or even on weekends. If you live outside of greater Boston and depend on public transportation, it’s likely that commuting has become a daily challenge.
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