The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) is again offering rides fare-free for customers of its fixed-route and demand response services through June of 2026.
The fare-free offerings, in place since January of 2024, are made possible through an appropriation by the state legislature as part of the state’s FY 2026 budget.
SRTA administrator Erik Rousseau says the fare-free service remains popular, with the authority set to announce record ridership.
Mr. Rousseau says since the resumption of Sunday service last year, ridership on Sunday is now equal to that on Saturday, roughly 5,000 riders weekly.
The increase in ridership on the fixed-route service has not increased the expense to offer that service. That cannot be said of an increase in riders for the demand response service.
Unless the legislature appropriates funds again next year, the fare-free service will expire on June 30. If that happens, it would end a 30-month run of a free bus service in Fall River and New Bedford. Mr. Rousseau remains hopeful the fare-free plan will continue.
The fare-free offer does not include SRTA’s Micro Connector rides to the Fall River and New Bedford MBTA train depots.
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