Overview
Massachusetts has 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), which provide
public transportation service in 231 Massachusetts cities and towns outside of
the MBTA district. These transit systems cover the Berkshires, Cape Cod, the
Pioneer Valley, Cape Ann, Worcester, the Merrimack Valley and many other parts
of Massachusetts.
The RTAs provide a critical service in areas that are often rural or
suburban, where the only other option for getting to where you’re going is by
automobile. These transit systems are a critical component of the Massachusetts
economy, encouraging smart growth and preventing sprawl.
Unfortunately, lack of funding has impacted the RTAs’ ability to meet the
needs of their communities and their customers, which has resulted in reduced
ridership, lower farebox revenue, and limited their ability to provide necessary
mobility for accessing jobs, shopping, school and other necessary daily
functions.
MASSPIRG supports legislation put forward by the Legislature’s RTA Caucus to
better fund and increase the RTAs (SB 2085) and allow the transit agencies to
bond with the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth (SB 2470).
