The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently awarded $5.1 million in funding to regional transit authorities.
The funding includes $1.1 million in capital funding from MassDOT and $4 million in operating funds allocated in the fiscal year 2019 state budget.
“By working closely with our Regional Transit Authority partners, we are helping to ensure that people throughout Massachusetts have the best options for reaching jobs and economic opportunities,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said. “Each of these projects will help improve Regional Transit Authority services and we look forward to seeing their completion.”
Awards range from $15,000 to $482,470.
Several factors were used to select the winners including whether projects will be financially sustainable, provide cost savings or operational efficiencies, serve a priority population, increase ridership, and demonstrate innovation. When applying, transit authorities were required to have measurable milestones and a complete business plan.
Winners will be required to enter into a memorandum with MassDOT that addresses project goals.
The largest award was given to the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority for enhancing intra-agency intermodalism via an on-demand feeder service in the Falmouth area.
The smallest award was given to the Brockton Area Transit Authority to add four additional round trips daily to Bridgewater State University.