Boston: Funding for MBTA Fare-Free Bus Program

~ In a recent Council meeting, a resolution was adopted in support of the MBTA's fare-free bus program. This initiative, proposed by Councilors Pepen and Culpepper, has been widely popular among riders and has expanded access to public transit while also saving them money.

Initially launched as a pilot program in 2021 on the 28 bus route along Blue Hill Avenue and Warren Street, the fare-free service quickly gained traction. Within six months, ridership had returned to pre-pandemic levels and parallel routes saw an increase in usage. The program also proved beneficial for riders who were able to save money on their daily trips.

Due to its success, the program was expanded to include the 23 and 29 bus routes, providing approximately 24,000 fare-free trips each weekday. This expansion has not only increased accessibility but also improved travel times with the implementation of all-door boarding, reducing wait times at bus stops.

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The resolution highlights that the fare-free bus program is currently funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. This act has allowed for significant investments in public benefits. However, there is uncertainty about the future funding of this program beyond June 2026 when Boston's remaining ARPA funds are expected to run out.

The Council expressed their support for maintaining fare-free service on the 23, 28, and 29 routes and encouraged continued collaboration between the City of Boston and the MBTA to ensure that residents of Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury can continue to benefit from this program.

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