Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration: Regional Transit Resurgence in FY24

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing regional transit across the 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts surpassed 26.5 million rides in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), steadily progressing toward pre-Covid levels. The total rides for FY23 were just over 22.5 million. 

This figure includes both fixed route and on-demand rides across the 15 RTAs. The increase in total rides is in part attributed to fare free service on fixed routes. For FY25, the Administration secured $30 million to continue funding fare free service, building off of two years of successful pilot, fare free programs.

In addition to fare free funding, the RTAs received record funding in the FY24 and FY25 budgets to allow for expanded service hours, weekend service, and increased frequency on existing routes. These service enhancements, combined with fare free services, have continued to push RTA ridership closer and closer to pre-pandemic levels.

“Regional Transit Authorities play a critical role in our communities and our economy, helping people get to work, school, appointments and stores,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is proud to be delivering record funding to RTAs, which has helped them make service more affordable, accessible and reliable.”

“These numbers speak for themselves – when we make public transportation more reliable and better connected, more riders will use it,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re grateful for the hard work of RTA staff to deliver the high-quality service that riders deserve, and we’re excited to see ridership increasing towards pre-pandemic levels.”

“We are remarkably pleased to see the fruits of our efforts in these ridership numbers,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Robust regional public transit is essential not only for giving Massachusetts residents better access to their desired destinations but for getting more cars off our roads so we can help mitigate the issues tied to vehicle congestion. It has been an honor to collaborate with the RTAs to enhance the quality of life for commuters and everyone who can gain from a robust, accessible transportation network.”

“The numbers we are seeing make it clear that, with the right approach and funding priorities, we can increase public transportation ridership,” said Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “These numbers are a testament to the dedication of our regional partners who serve their communities and help to deliver the connectivity that enables economic opportunity and vitality.” 

Information on the Regional Transit Authorities operating in Massachusetts can be found online: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/public-transportation-in-massachusetts#regional-transit-authorities-

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