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Council files hearing order to seek long-term funding for fare-free bus pilot on routes serving Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan
Summary
Sponsors asked the council to open hearings to find sustainable funding for a fare-free pilot that showed substantial ridership gains (nearly 24,000 weekday trips) and household savings; funding sources and trade-offs remained unresolved and were referred to committee.
Councilor Culpeper filed a hearing order (docket 0471) urging the council to explore options to extend and finance a fare-free bus pilot on MBTA Routes 23, 28 and 29, which serve Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. Sponsors presented pilot data and said the program delivered mobility and economic relief to riders.
"Nearly 24,000 fare free trips each weekday — a 35% ridership increase," Councilor Culpeper said, summarizing pilot performance and arguing that continuation would preserve benefits to low-income riders, seniors, students and essential workers. He told colleagues many riders reported saving about $20 a month on essential expenses.
Supporters — including Councilor Pepen — urged that the upcoming city and state budget cycles are a venue to pursue funding. Several councilors and members of the public said long-term operation requires a stable revenue source; sponsors recommended hearings with the MBTA, state officials and community groups to evaluate capital and operating trade-offs.
Opponents or cautious voices urged clarity about the source of funding and warned against redirecting federal capital dollars meant for infrastructure to recurring operating expenses. Councilor W arren and others said the MBTA is a state agency and that state and federal funding should be part of any sustainability plan.
What happens next: Docket 0471 was referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation for hearings where MBTA and state representatives, as well as community stakeholders, will be asked to testify.
