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HD 1177

An Act establishing a special commission on micro-transit

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a 15-month bipartisan commission to study micro-transit funding, models, and eligibility, with a final report to guide state funding and boost mobility and equity.

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Bill Summary · HD 1177

Summary: House Bill HD 1177 — An Act establishing a special commission on micro-transit

Overview

HD 1177 proposes creating a temporary, 15-month, bipartisan special commission to study micro-transit in Massachusetts. The commission would examine existing and emerging micro-transit services, funding, eligibility for state funding, and the extent to which micro-transit can improve mobility, connectivity, and equity across the Commonwealth.

Purpose and objectives

  • Benchmark and compare different micro-transit operating models, including those run by regional transit authorities and other entities.
  • Assess current and future funding sources, limitations, and needs for offering micro-transit across regions.
  • Define what constitutes “micro-transit” for purposes of state funding eligibility.
  • Estimate annual state funding needed to support existing and emerging micro-transit services and establish a mechanism and frequency to reassess that funding over time.
  • Explore micro-transit as a tool to close mobility gaps, enhance connectivity among transit networks, and address transportation inequities for specific geographies and populations.

Key provisions

Commission establishment

  • Creates a special commission on micro-transit to study the topics above.
  • The final report, including recommendations, must be filed not later than 15 months after the section takes effect. A draft report may be released for public comment before the final filing.

Commission composition

The commission’s membership includes:

  • Co-chairs: The house and senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation (serving as co-chairs).
  • Legislative appointees: 1 member from the House appointed by the House minority leader; 1 member from the Senate appointed by the Senate minority leader.
  • Regional transit authorities: 2 members appointed by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities (MARTA) — both former or current RTA administrators; at least 1 represents a rural-serving RTA and 1 represents an RTA that has offered micro-transit.
  • Public and planning/advocacy and agency representatives:
    • 1 appointee by the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council.
    • 1 appointee from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Rail and Transit Division.
    • 2 appointees representing existing or emerging micro-transit service operated by entities not part of an RTA.
    • 1 appointee from the MassDOT Mobility Assistance Program.
    • 1 appointee from the Rural Policy Advisory Commission. 1 appointee from the Massachusetts Public Health Association. 1 appointee from Transportation for Massachusetts. 1 appointee from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging.
  • Governor’s appointments: 2 appointees — 1 representing a municipality sponsoring or operating a micro-transit service, and 1 representing a health care organization whose patients and employees use micro-transit.

Who is affected

  • Micro-transit operators (existing and future), including non-RTA providers.
  • Regional transit authorities, state transportation agencies, and related mobility programs.
  • Populations relying on or potentially benefiting from micro-transit services, including rural residents, older adults, people with disabilities, and patients or employees of health care providers who use micro-transit.

Timeline and process

  • Final report due 15 months after the act takes effect.
  • Draft report may be made public for comment prior to filing the final report.
  • The bill is a proposed act introduced to establish the commission and define its duties (status indicates a proposed bill rather than enacted law).

Potential impact

  • Provides a structured, transparent process to evaluate how micro-transit can be funded, standardized, and scaled across Massachusetts.
  • Aims to clarify eligibility criteria for state funding and establish funding benchmarks and review cycles.
  • Could influence future policy decisions on micro-transit investments, service models, and equity-focused transportation planning.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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