Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan and Brockton Area Transit Authority Administrator Michael J. Lambert jointly announced the extension of fare free service through June of 2026. Once again the program will be funded by new revenues raised by the Fair Share Amendment (Millionaire’s Tax) and allocated by Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature – with the unanimous support of the Brockton region’s elected officials.
“The free fare program has been a game changer for our residents, visitors, and local businesses,” said Mayor Sullivan. “Reliable access to transportation is essential for people to get to work, shop locally, and enjoy all that our region has to offer. I am deeply grateful to Governor Healey and our state legislative delegation for their continued support and recognition of how vital convenient and affordable transit is to our community.”
BAT has offered free fixed route, ADA paratransit, and senior service since December of 2023. This benefit has been enhanced by increased frequencies seven days a week, along with continued strong on-time-performance and an overarching commitment to safety. Since then the number of customer trips has more than doubled and the Authority is now experiencing a 25-year high in ridership.
“Sincere thanks are in order to Mayor Sullivan and the entire BAT Board of Directors for their leadership, as well as to the Governor and State Legislature for their strong commitment to expanding transit options across the Commonwealth,” stated BAT Administrator Lambert.
This fiscal year all fifteen of the Commonwealth’s Regional Transit Authorities will be offering free services and will have stronger regional connections due to grants offered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
“The Healey-Driscoll administration has fully committed to expanding public transportation in Massachusetts, which includes free and reduced fares, engaging with cities and towns, launching studies, investing in infrastructure, and collaborating with the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities to expand routes,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The Brockton Area Transit Authority’s extension of free fare service through next June will offer more people the ability to take safe and reliable trips on regional transit and encourage a shift from cars to public transportation.”
The Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT) provided over 3.7 million customer trips in FY25 and has been serving as the transit hub for the South Shore and Greater Brockton areas since 1974. BAT is committed to providing services that connect people to their destination in a responsive, respectful, friendly, safe, accessible, affordable, and dependable manner. BAT encourages riders to visit our website, www.ridebat.com to keep up to date on routes and information.