Bill
H 4054
Creates a MassDOT Microtransit Fund to expand rural, demand-responsive transit with diverse funding and performance targets.
Status and procedural history
- Bill number: H.4054, presented by Rep. Leigh Davis (3rd Berkshire). Version filed Jan 15, 2025; officially introduced Apr 22, 2025. Legislative actions listed include referral to the Joint Committee on Transportation (4/22/2025), Senate concurrence (4/24/2025), and a committee hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025. The bill text also appears to replace HD 2229.
- The bill text declares the measure an emergency law “necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience,” making it effective on enactment.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a dedicated Microtransit Fund administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to expand demand‑responsive, technology‑driven shared transit services (microtransit) with special emphasis on rural and low‑density areas that lack rapid transit or frequent bus service.
- Goals include promoting regional equity in transit, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving first‑mile/last‑mile access, and supporting existing rural microtransit programs.
Key provisions
- Creation of a separate, non‑reverting Microtransit Fund in Chapter 29; administered by the Secretary of MassDOT.
- Eligible revenue sources credited to the fund:
- Appropriations or other money specifically designated by the Legislature;
- Interest earned;
- Private contributions (technology firms, foundations, etc.);
- Federal grants, gifts and donations;
- A minimum of 3% of annual “fair share” funds (revenues designated for education and transportation).
- Spending purposes (non‑exhaustive): launch and sustain microtransit services; prioritize first/last‑mile connectivity; partner with existing regional programs (e.g., South County Connector, Quaboag Connector, Franklin County access program); support electrification of fleets; driver recruitment/training/retention.
- Up to 5% of the fund may be used for public awareness campaigns.
- Eligibility: expenditures prioritized for rural or low‑density municipalities defined by absence from FTA urbanized areas (49 U.S.C. 5307) and areas outside the MBTA service region.
- Administrative and accountability requirements:
- MassDOT must develop application guidelines and begin awarding funds within 90 days of the fund’s effective date.
- Required benchmarks to monitor performance (examples in the text): a 30% increase in transit access in underserved areas within 5 years; cost per revenue hour under $60 (inflation‑adjusted); average vehicle ride‑share rate ≥15%; 25% adoption of electric or hybrid vehicles.
- Annual project reports, equity impact assessments, published annual reports, and independent audits.
- Annual reporting by Dec. 31 to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation, the House and Senate Ways & Means committees, and legislative clerks.
Who is affected / likely impacts
- Primary beneficiaries: residents of rural and low‑density municipalities lacking frequent bus or rapid transit; regional transit authorities; existing microtransit operators.
- Secondary impacts: technology providers, private funders, local governments, and public‑sector transit workforce (drivers, trainers).
- Fiscal implications: the fund will receive multiple revenue streams including a mandated minimum diversion of 3% of fair share funds for transportation and education; money in the fund does not revert to the General Fund and “shall not be subject to further appropriation” per the text.
- Policy outcomes expected: expanded transit access in underserved areas, increased electrification of microtransit fleets, and greenhouse gas reductions contingent on program performance.
Notes and anomalies
- The bill text included in the provided materials also contains unrelated South Carolina “Athletic Training Day” resolution language; that content appears to be extraneous and is not related to the Microtransit Fund provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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