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.

1 minute read

October 29, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) bus on Foster Street in Downtown Worcester, Massachusetts MA, USA.

A Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) bus in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. | Wangkun Jia / Adobe Stock

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced a plan to extend free public transit for 13 agencies across the state starting this November, reports Kayleigh Thomas for WWLP.

“[Healey] said it will help connect all rural communities to economic opportunities and provide seamless travel. This means providing people better access to schools, jobs, groceries, or doctor appointments.” Healey added, “You need to make sure that transit is connecting to people all across the state.”

The $30 million initiative, which is funded through at least June of 2025, is part of the 2025 state budget. The budget also includes $250 million for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, which lets the state access more than $1 billion in federal transportation funds.

Thursday, October 24, 2024 in WWLP

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

5 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

7 hours ago - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

July 6 - InTransition Magazine