Adam RollinsThe state of Massachusetts will allocate $37 million to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to support regional public transportation projects across the state. The funds come from three grant programs and will help electrify vehicular fleets, enhance and expand existing transit services and improve rural connectivity.
MassDOT will receive $15 million through the Regional Transit Innovation Grant (RTIG) Program to support 18 transit projects. The RTIG program helps recipients expand existing transit services, implement new and innovative transit services, expand service hours and enhance connectivity.
Notable RTIG recipients include:
- The Berkshire, Pioneer Valley and Franklin transit authorities will receive $4.5 million to improve the 413 Commuter and Regionally Interconnected Bus (CRIB) network. The agencies operate a commuter bus network between the three regions and will use the funds to rehabilitate seven buses.
- The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority will use $1.9 million to extend an existing fixed-route bus service and build a new route to connect four cities.
- The Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority will spend $1.5 million to pilot the Brockton-Taunton-Fall River Connection. The authority will fill in transportation service gaps to provide communities access to critical amenities such as healthcare, employment or education.
MassDOT will provide an additional $23.7 million to 54 applicants through the Community Transit Grant Program (CTGP). The funds help municipalities meet the transportation and mobility needs of older adults and people with disabilities.
Recipients will use $19.7 million to buy minivans, cutaways and minibuses designed with ramps and lifts. The remaining $4 million will help further expand mobility and transportation services, providing taxis, demand-response and paratransit services to reach critical amenities.
Photo courtesy of the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority
