（Boston Orange編譯）麻州政府22日宣布，全州15個區域交通機構（RTA）推動固定路線免費搭乘後，2025財年運量較疫情前2019年增加29.5%，不僅降低民眾通勤成本，也明顯推升公共運輸使用率。自2026財年起，這項政策已全面擴大至全州RTA。
根據州政府提交州議會的報告，免票搭乘結合增班、延長夜間及週末服務等措施，成功吸引更多乘客回流，也讓居民在通勤、就學、就醫與日常生活上更加便利。對波士頓以外地區來說，RTA已成為重要的基礎交通服務。
麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）表示，當政府投資公共運輸並取消搭乘門檻，民眾就更願意使用大眾交通工具。副州長Kim Driscoll也強調，RTA在維繫社區連結與提升交通可及性方面發揮關鍵作用。州議會領袖則指出，這項補助兼顧公平與經濟發展，有助家庭保留更多收入。
數據顯示，2025財年15個RTA中有14個運量成長，13個達成固定路線與需求反應式運輸目標，整體固定路線運量較2021年翻倍；部分機構如MeVa運量較疫情前增加60%。州府並指出，2024年RTA系統達成零死亡事故目標，顯示在擴大使用率的同時，安全管理也持續提升。
麻州政府表示，免費RTA公車政策已從疫情後試點轉為全州交通政策，未來將持續檢視成效並強化投資，讓更多居民受惠於安全、可負擔且更便利的公共運輸服務。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Strong Ridership Increase Across State’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities
Fare Free service drives growth and exceeds pre-pandemic levels
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced significant ridership growth across the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), driven in part by the expansion of fare free service on all fixed routes.
A recent report filed with the Massachusetts Legislature shows a strong correlation between sustained fare free service and increased ridership growth. RTAs that have operating fare free for multiple years have now exceeded Fiscal Year 2019 pre-pandemic ridership.
“Across Massachusetts, Regional Transit authorities are making it easier and more affordable for people get to work, school, medical appointments and other important destinations. These strong ridership numbers show that when we invest in public transportation and remove barriers to access, more people use it,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Fare free service is making a real difference for communities and local economies across our state.”
“Regional Transit Authorities play a critical role in keeping our communities connected and helping people get where they need to go,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This growth in ridership shows that expanding service and making transit more accessible is paying off.”
“Ensuring that residents from across the Commonwealth have access to safe, affordable public transportation isn’t just about equality — it’s also about economic development, as many residents rely on public transit to get to work everyday,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why I’m proud of the funding that the Legislature has allocated for regional transit authorities, funding that helps to connect communities across Massachusetts.”
"Two years ago, we committed to make Regional Transit Authorities fare-free because we know that it saves people money, injects life into communities, and keeps our climate goals on track," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Today's report confirms that commitment was the right one. Ridership has more than doubled, regional economies are benefiting, and families across Massachusetts are keeping more money in their pockets. I look forward to seeing this policy continue to save people money, grow communities, and invigorate downtowns across Massachusetts.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made affordable, safe and reliable transit a priority and with the support of the Legislature, fare free transit service on all fixed route and required ADA paratransit continues to deliver real benefits, further breaking down cost barriers the public who rely on public transit and live in regions served by Regional Transit Authorities,” said Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “By giving our residents affordable travel options, we are improving quality of life in Massachusetts, stimulating economic growth, increasing the vitality of our communities, and supporting efforts to connect everyone to housing, schools, medical centers, and other important destinations.”
“We are grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and members of the Legislature for supporting fare free RTA service on fixed routes,” said Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “Free fares have led to a dramatic increase in ridership on the state’s RTAs. Coupled with the expansion of service hours and routes, these initiatives have helped reduce automobile congestion on our roads.”
RTAs have consistently taken steps to bring in new riders and improve the rider experience, while expanding night and weekend service hours. The RTA performance report, highlights strong systemwide gains in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and outlines continued progress in expanding access, improving service, and enhancing safety across Massachusetts.
Key findings in this report include:
• Ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time, with fixed route ridership exceeding FY 2019 levels by 29.5%
• Ridership has more than doubled since FY2021, reflecting sustained growth across the system
• 14 of the 15 RTAs saw increased ridership in FY2025 compared to FY 2024
• RTAs offering fare free service for multiple years experienced the strongest and most sustained ridership gains
• 13 of 15 RTAs exceeded ridership targets for both fixed route and demand response services
• In calendar 2024, RTAs set and achieved a target of zero fatalities on RTA systems across all modes. RTAs continue to apply principles from FTA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) program to ensure risks are addressed to improve the safety of transit staff and riders.
At the close of FY25, the RTAs had accumulated on average 229% and 218% of their fixed route and demand response targets, respectively. Beginning in FY26, all RTAs were required to operate fare free service. Data from this period will provide additional insight into the long-term impacts of fare free transit across Massachusetts.
“When MeVa’s board voted to go fare-free starting in March 2022, we honestly did not know what the results would be. There was a lot of speculation, on both sides, as to what might happen. But now the results are in and the evidence is clear that fare-free transit is good policy," said MeVa Administrator Noah Berger. "MeVa is now 60% above our pre-pandemic ridership—but going fare-free not only spurred an increased use of public transit, it has also meant more money spent at local businesses, more residents seeing doctors, and more students attending school and afterschool programs. Of course, this has not been a controlled experiment—at the same time that we eliminated fares, thanks to increased investment from the Governor and Legislature, MeVa has also been able to increase the frequency and hours of service, make routes more direct, add passenger amenities, and lean into improving the customer experience.”
“At SRTA, fare free service has helped remove barriers and ensure our communities stay connected to opportunity, but it’s the simultaneous investment in stronger service — including all RTAs offering seven day a week service for the first time — that truly makes access meaningful,” said SRTA Administrator Erik Rousseau. “Together, these investments are creating a more inclusive transit system that improves quality of life across our region.”
MassDOT provides State Contract Assistance (SCA) to RTAs each budget cycle based on an agreed-to distribution formula. MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division oversees and collaborates with its RTA partners to maximize investment and enhance accountability and transparency. To learn more, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/rail-and-transit-division
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