Boston's latest cash splash is targeting wheels on the ground, as the Healey-Driscoll Administration rolls out a massive $37 million in grants aimed at fuelling regional public transportation. The windfall, sourced from a trio of grant programs, will help a medley of regional service providers, from RTAs to age councils, rev up everything from vehicle procurement to rural route extensions.
In a move set to significantly jump to start the expansion of regional mobility, almost $20 million of this funding pie will be used to snap up new vehicles under the Community Transit Grant Program. But these aren't your garden-variety rides; these grant-supported vehicles will ensure that older adults, low-income families, and those with disabilities can get where they need to go—not just during bankers' hours but also beyond. Groundbreaking? Quite possibly. In a press release, Governor Maura Healey said, "Public transportation plays a crucial role when it comes to accessibility, community connectivity, and economic growth and we will work to ensure that all residents have access to the transportation services they need."
Not to be left in the dust, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll underscored the grants' impact on the everyman's travel needs for essentials like doctor’s appointments, schooling, and shopping centers. According to a statement obtained by Mass.gov, she quipped, “Funding for these transit providers will truly make a difference by increasing public transportation routes, adding more hours of service, and expanding the number of electric public transit vehicles on our roads.” That's right, the future is electric, and MassDOT's laying down the electric avenue.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt touted the acceleration of public transport options, thanks to this financial injection. The state is not just inching forward, it's poised to leap boundaries with new routes, additional services, and a fleet of electric vehicles. "This grant funding will help our transit providers do more, including adding service, expanding routes, and purchasing electric vehicles so more mobility options can be offered to senior citizens, people with disabilities, and individuals who cannot afford to own a car," Monica Tibbits-Nutt told Mass.gov. Whether you're in urban Boston or rural Berkshires – help is on the way.
Getting down and dirty with the numbers, the Regional Transit Innovation Grant Program is earmarked a tidy $15 million from the state budget. This will be spread over two fiscal years, with a quarter of the allocation hitched to rural upgrades. Highly competitive, this grant program saw 60 applicants vying for the cash, with 18 projects ultimately getting the green light.
MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger emphasized the demand spike for enriched transit services, and the authority's collaboration with providers to meet these needs. In a statement obtained by Mass.gov, Slesinger said, “The volume of applications for funding from these programs shows the high demand for enhanced transit services. We are pleased to be partnering with transit providers across the state to fund projects in urban, suburban, and rural areas to better meet the mobility needs of our communities.”
Roll call for the beneficiaries lists a busload of towns and authorities, including the Brockton Area Transit Authority, Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, the Town of Lexington, and the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority, to name but a few. From minivans for the local councils on aging to cutaway vehicles ready to handle a fleet of needs (all wheelchair accessible, mind you), these grants push Massachusetts into the fast lane of regional transit overhaul. For more details on the high-mobility move, hit up MassDOT's website.
