The transportation budget allocates at least $15 million to new and existing fare-free bus transit programs.
The Massachusetts state budget for 2024 includes funding for a “major expansion” of fare-free bus transit around the state, reports Christian MilNeil in Streetsblog Massachusetts.
“RTAs [Regional Transit Authorities] this year are getting an additional $90 million in state funding from new revenue that the state is collecting from a newly-enacted income tax on high-income households. That additional funding nearly doubles the state's financial support to the RTAs this year compared to the 2023 budget,” amounting to almost twice the 2023 budget. The legislation requires that $15 million be spent on free fare programs.
See the source article for a list of new fare-free programs that are slated to go into effect this year.
Read the full story: New Year, No Fares: Beacon Hill Bankrolls Dozens of Free Bus Routes Statewide
Massachusetts Extends Free Transit Through June 2025
Gov. Healey announced a $30 million extension to new and existing free fare programs at 13 public transit agencies.
New Orleans to Offer Free Transit to Youth
Residents between 16 and 24 will have access to free public transit passes starting in September.
OKC streetcar will stay fare-free after ridership shot up 74%
The downtown streetcar saw a surge in ridership after it eliminated fares in January.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority