WRTA Board May Vote On Free Bus Fare Policy

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) board will resume discussions Thursday on whether to begin collecting fares again. The regional transit system ended fare collections at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as a safety measure.

During Thursday's meeting, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern will speak to the board about the $37.5 million WRTA received in stimulus funds and how that money can be used to extend the free-fare policy.

READ: Worcester Buses Will Remain Free, But Not For Long

The WRTA board met in late January about to discuss fares, and ultimately decided to extend the policy until March 1, which is the end date WRTA Director Dennis Lipka prefers. Lipka has said WRTA needs to use the federal stimulus money to pay for revenue shortfalls connected to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Worcester City Councilor and WRTA board member Gary Rosen wants fares to remain free until at least April 1. The Zero Fare WRTA Coalition — a group pushing to make bus fare free permanently — also wants the policy extended.

LiveableStreets Alliance engagement manager Kristiana Lachiusa will also speak during Thursday's meeting about moves at the state level to fund zero-fare pilot programs.

The Thursday WRTA Advisory Board meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom.