Sen. Eldridge, Rep. Cataldo, and Rep. Sena announce $395,000 to Strengthen Public Transit
Funds from MassDOT’s FY25 Community Transit Grant Program will initiate new programs and expand services provided by the Town of Acton and the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority
BOSTON– State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D- Marlborough) and Representatives Simon Cataldo (D- Concord) and Danillo Sena (D- Acton) announce grants of $125,000 and $270,000 to the Town of Acton and Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)’s Community Transit Grant Program. The Town of Acton will use funding to create a shared regional dispatch for the Council on Aging and other transportation in Acton, Littleton, and Sudbury. MART will pilot microtransit services in Ayer, Shirley, Lancaster, and Devens.
The Town of Acton’s funds will go towards the Council of Aging (COA), a department based in the town’s Senior Center. The COA provides services to elderly individuals, including legal consultation, social visiting, and transportation. Currently, the COA’s transportation options include shuttles that transport seniors in nearby towns including Acton, Maynard, Concord and parts of Littleton, Westford, and Boxboro. The infusion will create a shared regional dispatch to increase connectivity for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Acton and surrounding towns.
MART is one of fifteen Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts, state-funded agencies that provide public transportation to smaller urban and rural areas across the state. Serving twenty-five towns and cities in Western Middlesex and Northern Worcester, MART provides fixed bus routes as well as shuttle services to veterans’ service centers and hospitals in the area. Grant funding will go towards a microtransit pilot program. Microtransit is a growing model that offers on-demand public transportation as an alternative to traditional fixed route transit like buses and train lines. Because of its flexibility, microtransit has proven to be effective in serving rural communities, individuals with disabilities, and elderly individuals.
“The Council of Aging in Acton and the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority provide invaluable transportation services that our towns rely on to get to hospitals, community centers, and the Boston area,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I’m thankful to MassDOT for their support of innovative, equitable transportation that ensures everyone in MetroWest can access our community and its resources.”
"I was thrilled to see that the Town of Acton has been awarded this grant aimed at enhancing mobility for all of our residents by filling gaps in the existing regional transportation network. This funding will empower our community by improving access to essential services and fostering greater independence for those who need it most. Together, the Legislature and Governor’s administration is committed to building a more inclusive and accessible Acton and region for everyone," said State Representative Simon Cataldo.
“Investing in regional transportation through the Acton Council on Aging and Montachusett Regional Transit Authority is important to ensuring our communities can access essential services. I’m happy to see the Community Transit Grant awarded to Acton and MART, and I am thankful for MassDOT’s support for the project,” said State Representative Danillo Sena.
The Community Transit Grant Program is an annual competitive grant that addresses the needs of elderly and disabled individuals by covering the costs of vehicles and operations. Active since 2013, the grant program receives funding from the federal and state levels. In FY2025, the program received support from the Fair Share amendment’s Education and Transportation fund, a tax passed in 2022 that places a 4% surcharge on incomes over $1 million.
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