Free Rides Attract Riders

Image: hitchhikers near Vicksburg by Walker Evans via Wikipedia.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced what it calls "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. 

Metrowest Transit, which serves Medway, was one of the organizations seeking the most growth --a 40 percent increase in ridership from 2024-2025.  GATRA, which serves Franklin and offers some service in Medway saw only modest growh, which correlated with only offering free fares for about a month.

"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 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. 

To learn more, you can visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/rail-and-transit-division