Get involved in transportation planning processes

You can get involved in shaping the future of transportation of your city, town, or region.

Attend public meetings

• Transit Authorities have public customer advisory meetings, as well as public hearings when changes are proposed
• Regional Planning Agencies and Metropolitan Planning Organizations host public meetings to review proposed regional transportation plans
• Your city or town may have a municipal transportation committee
  • For example, Stoneham has the Stoneham Transportation Advocacy Committee

Join groups working on key issues

• Transportation advocacy groups bring riders together to advocate for service improvements:
  • R-TAG advises the MBTA on transportation issues that affect people with disabilities and seniors
  • T Riders’ Union (Boston and Chelsea)
  • Bus Riders United (New Bedford)
  • Transportation Justice for Franklin County
  • Western Massachusetts Transportation Advocacy Network
    • Contact [e-mail] or [e-mail]
  • Worcester Transportation Advocacy Coalition
  • Riders Action Council (Worcester area)
  • Zero Fare WRTA (Worcester area)
  • Livable Streets Alliance (Greater Boston area)
  • Transit Matters (Greater Boston area)
• Regional Coordinating Councils work to improve transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, low-income commuters, and others in regions around Massachusetts
• Transportation for Massachusetts is a statewide coalition of organizations
• Join or start a transportation working group in an organization you already belong to
  • For example, the Stavros Center for Independent Living works on transportation access issues through its Disability Action Networks 

Help others

• Help a friend or neighbor by driving them, escorting them to a medical appointment, or showing them how to ride the bus
• Volunteer as a driver or medical escort with your local senior center or other human service organization

Share your opinions

• Write letters to the editor in your local newspaper
• Contact your local or state elected officials

National resources

• Transit Planning for All - national initiative promoting the inclusion of older adults and people with disabilities in transportation planning and decision-making processes. They offer tools, case studies, and grant opportunities related to inclusive planning
• Lessons Learned in Inclusive Transit Planning - whitepaper published by Transit Planning 4 All
• Transportation Advocacy Mentoring Initiative - guidebook from an initiative where youth with disabilities from Michigan mentored youth with disabilities in Massachusetts on transportation advocacy