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NRTA reports 73% ridership jump since fare-free launch; on-demand pilot to run for off-season trips
Summary
NRTA says ridership rose 73% since going fare-free, from 190,000 to 328,000 year-to-date, and is launching an on‑demand pilot using electric vans with a nominal $4 fare outside the statewide fare-free program.
Gary Roberts, administrator of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, told the advisory board that since the NRTA went fare-free in April 2024 ridership has increased about 73 percent, rising from roughly 190,000 passengers in the previous fiscal year to about 328,000 year-to-date; the authority projects at least 420,000 riders by fiscal year-end.
Roberts said the fare-free policy is funded through Dec. 31 of the current year and that continued funding is under consideration at the state level. He said the governor's budget proposed $30 million statewide for RTAs while the Senate showed a larger figure; allocations to individual RTAs remain subject to the state budget process.
On demand: Roberts said the authority received a community transit grant to pilot an on-demand, zone-based service for low-demand winter areas using five Ford E‑Transit vans and a software platform. He described the service as online-booked, zone-limited and open to all riders; the pilot is intended to serve areas where running fixed-route buses in winter is inefficient.
Fare policy and cost: Roberts clarified that statewide fare-free funding covers fixed-route services but not the on-demand pilot. He said the pilot will charge a nominal fee, projecting about $4 per ride. During questions, a board member asked whether the on-demand service undercuts local taxi drivers; Roberts replied the service is a taxpayer-funded public transportation benefit funded by grants and that it is less expensive than taxis.
Ending: Roberts and board members framed the pilot as a way to provide mobility in low-demand periods while preserving fixed-route coverage during peak months; the board did not take a separate vote on the on-demand pilot at the meeting.
