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SD 3929

Transit Connectivity FY25 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

MassDOT distributed $10 million to 10 RTAs in Massachusetts to create or modify routes that improve connectivity between existing transit networks, with performance reporting and e

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Bill Summary · SD 3929

Quick summary

SD 3929 (Session 194th, Massachusetts) presents a report on the FY25 Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Connectivity Grant program. The document outlines how $10 million appropriated in the FY25 Massachusetts budget was awarded to 10 RTAs to create or modify routes aimed at improving connectivity between existing public transportation networks. It explains the grant criteria, the review process, awarded projects, and data-reporting requirements.

Purpose and intent

  • Describe the implementation and outcomes of the FY25 Regional Transit Authority Connectivity Grant program.
  • Document how MassDOT distributed $10 million to RTAs to enhance connectivity between existing transit routes (including regional bus networks and MBTA-linked services).
  • Highlight criteria used to prioritize projects (ridership gains, increased mileage per trip, benefits to low-income individuals, and geographic equity).

Key provisions and changes

  • Funding framework:
    • FY25 budget allocated at least $10,000,000 for RTAs to create or alter routes that improve connectivity between existing routes (regional bus routes and MBTA connections).
    • MassDOT is responsible for distributing the grants and establishing grant criteria.
  • Evaluation criteria (scoring used by the review committee):
    • Service Plan (15 points): connectivity potential, implementation feasibility, and timelines.
    • Budget (5 points): reasonableness and eligibility of expenses.
    • Project Need (10 points): strength of evidence of local/regional need (studies, rider input, data).
    • Prioritization (15 points): potential impacts on ridership, coverage, and access for low-income individuals; emphasis on equity and accessibility.
    • Evaluation (5 points): concrete plans to track ridership and service effectiveness.
    • Bonus Points (10 points): collaboration among multiple authorities; maximum awarded if all impacted authorities participate.
    • Geographic equity was considered to ensure funding across the Commonwealth.
  • Awards:
    • All 10 applications received funding; 6 projects received full funding and 4 received partial funding.
  • Data collection and reporting:
    • Grantees must submit quarterly reports with ridership data and progress updates.
  • Project details (as of the report date):
    • The document lists 10 projects, including names, partners, funding amounts, progress, and first-quarter FY26 ridership data where available. Examples include:
    • 413 Link (BRTA/PVTA/FRTA) – $1,577,607; launch scheduled early 2026; pilot expansion from FY24; issues hiring drivers; partnership with Franklin Regional Transit Authority.
    • Cape Ann Transit Connections – $406,624; extended evening hours; progress launched Aug 4, 2025; 2,264 one-way trips in Q1 FY26.
    • Brockton-Taunton-Fall River Connection – $1,575,160; continued funding; progress noted.
    • MART Emerson Hospital Shuttle – $278,250; adjusted to on-demand demand feeders after low ridership; multiple locations served.
    • Frequency Connector (Lowell-Haverhill-Lawrence) – $1,156,164; increased frequency; ridership up 15%; expanded job access.
    • 495 Connector (Acton-South Acton-Franklin) – $1,092,529; launched May 2025; 4,859 one-way trips in Q1 FY26.
    • WAVE On-Demand (Nantucket) – $341,000; off-season microtransit; focus on low-income riders.
    • Pioneer Valley Connectors – $1,764,922; new north-south fixed routes plus microtransit; launches late March 2026.
    • Micro-transit: South Coast Rail Connector – $694,944; part of microtransit pilot to South Coast Rail; launched March 24, 2025.
    • Intercity Express – $1,112,800; 9x express service between New Bedford and Fall River; launched December 15, 2024; cited ridership data.

Who is affected

  • Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across Massachusetts, including:
    • Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA)
    • Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA)
    • Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA)
    • Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT)
    • Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA)
    • Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA)
    • Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA)
    • Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)
    • Cape Ann Transportation Authority
    • Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA)
  • Riders benefiting from expanded or improved connectivity, including low-income populations and riders needing better geographic coverage.
  • MassDOT and collaborating transit authorities implementing and monitoring performance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Origination:
    • Stems from the FY25 Massachusetts Budget Act (Section 4 of Chapter 6C) directing a minimum $10 million in grants for RTAs to enhance route connectivity.
  • Review and allocation:
    • MassDOT received 10 applications; a review committee scored them across multiple criteria.
    • All 10 projects were funded (6 fully, 4 partially).
  • Reporting and oversight:
    • Quarterly progress and ridership reports required from grant recipients.
    • Data used include total one-way trips in specific quarters and progress toward stated milestones.
  • Timeline indicators:
    • Several projects launched or expanded in 2025, with notable activity in FY26 Q1 (July–September 2025) and launches scheduled into early 2026 for some initiatives.
    • Some projects experienced delays due to issues like driver hiring or vehicle readiness; others moved ahead with scheduled launches.

Overall assessment

The bill documents the implementation and outcomes of a targeted grant program to boost transit connectivity across Massachusetts’ RTAs. It emphasizes equity, ridership growth, and expanded service coverage, with a structured scoring framework and mandatory performance reporting to ensure accountability and measurable impact.

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

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