Politics & Government
Worcester Backs Another Year Of Free WRTA Bus Service
Councilors approved a resolution asking WRTA to extend zero-fare through 2023.
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester City Council has thrown its weight behind another year of free public transit across the region.
Councilors at Tuesday's meeting backed a resolution from At-Large Councilor Moe Bergman supporting the extension of the zero-fare for WRTA buses through the end of 2023. Zero-fare will expire at the end of December unless the WRTA board extends it.
Bergman said buses should remain free because there's extra money to do it — largely from the pandemic ARPA stimulus funds — and because WRTA should study the repercussions of zero-fare over a longer period. Free buses also offer an alternative to driving with gas prices above $5 per gallon, he said.
"I would suggest our representatives on the WRTA board remember all these things," Bergman said about an upcoming to extend zero-fare. Bergman said the vote could happen in the fall.
Bergman's resolution also encouraged the board to change a longstanding practice: requiring members of the public to sign up at least 48 hours in advance to speak during WRTA board meetings. Many local governments, including Worcester, allow members of the public to make comments without signing up first.
At-Large Councilor Khrystian King expressed concern that the zero-fare policy wasn't being publicized enough. Acting City Manager Eric Batista told King the city has not done any marketing for zero-fare because that's WRTA's responsibility.
Both King and Bergman encouraged WRTA to more consistently advertise zero-fare. WRTA recently hired a new marketing manager, according to the agency.
"Let's have the most used, most accessed ridership in Massachusetts," King said.
WRTA serves over 30 cities and towns across the region, and the board includes members from towns including Auburn, Spencer, Shrewsbury, Clinton, Oxford, Southbridge, Millbury, Holden and Grafton.
The board last extended zero-fare until Dec. 31 at a meeting in November. The vote was unanimous. The board also voted to invest in a new mobile fare collection system paid for by the Federal Transit Administration.
