- Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Media Contact
Marshall Hook, Director of Communications
CAMBRIDGE — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $3 million in funding to expand transportation options for workers and residents across Massachusetts, making it easier to get to jobs, connect to public transit and travel without relying on a car. Through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) Transportation Management Association (TMA) Grant Program, 14 regional TMAs and one statewide association will receive support for projects that reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve transportation access.
The funding will support a range of projects, including expanded shuttle and ferry services, improved connections to MBTA stations, bike commuting programs and new transportation options for workers with nontraditional schedules. Awards will also help communities improve signage and navigation, making it easier for residents and commuters to access available transportation services. MassDOT officials, local elected leaders and TMA representatives celebrated the awards today at 150 Cambridgepark Drive in Cambridge.
"Thanks to the support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassDOT is able to collaborate with employers and Transportation Management Associations to provide sustainable and reliable transit options for their workforce," said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "Investments like these $3 million in grants will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, foster economic development in communities across the state, and provide meaningful alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips. We look forward to working with our partners to expand transportation options and support climate-friendly transit for residents and businesses across Massachusetts."
“We are proud to support projects that facilitate a shift to more sustainable modes of travel and expand mobility. These organizations are partners in our commitment in creating a more connected, accessible and environmentally responsible transportation network that improves quality of life for residents and communities across Massachusetts,” said MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger.
TMAs are membership-based organizations that focus on improving transportation options and infrastructure within a specific region or community. TMAs are typically formed through collaboration between local businesses, government agencies, and community stakeholders to address the unique transportation needs of their respective regions. TMAs implement programs and initiatives aimed at promoting alternative transportation methods like carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, and public transit usage. They also provide transportation-related services, including shuttle programs, carpool matching services, and commuter incentives, all geared towards reducing single-occupant driving.
A list of the winning projects is below. Visit the TMA Grant Program webpage for more information and to apply.
SFY27 TMA Awards
| TMA | Project Summary | Grant Award |
|---|---|---|
| 128 Business Council | Continue support for a shuttle providing last-mile connections between Needham employers and transit | $307,282 |
| 128 Business Council | Continue support for a shuttle providing last-mile connections between Waltham employers and transit | $68,583 |
| A Better City, Inc | Add Saturday service to a shuttle service providing weekday service in the Allston/Brighton area | $82,735 |
| Alewife TMA | Continue expanded shuttle service providing last-mile service around Alewife station | $199,855 |
| Assembly Square TMA | Construct a permanent mobility hub in Assembly Square based on past prototypes, promoting wayfinding and multimodal connections | $400,000 |
| Boynton Union Connect TMA | Review past studies to synthesize transportation needs of the Union Square, Somerville area and identify next steps | In-kind support from MassDOT planners |
| Charles River TMA | Continue expanded shuttle service connecting North Station to Kendall | $484,000 |
CrossTown Connect TMA | Revive a TMA that went dormant during the pandemic serving Acton, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury | $96,690 |
| Lower Mystic TMA | Continue shuttle service linking public housing with affordable grocery options and transit connections serving Boston, Everett, and Chelsea | $180,400 |
| MassCommute | Unified commuter platform shared across all TMAs, providing consistency for commuters and economy of scale | $147,400 |
| Middlesex 3 TMA | Continue support for a shuttle connecting Alewife to employment centers in Bedford and Burlington | $226,855 |
| Neponset Valley TMA | Pilot transit options to support commutes of workers to second and third shift jobs | $66,000 |
| Neponset Valley TMA | Continue shuttle service linking employers to local MBTA stations in the Canton area | $150,000 |
| North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA | Staffing support for TMA that recently launched serving North Central MA | $100,100 |
| Seaport TMA | Support ferry connecting employers at Pier 10 to North Station, and incorporate wayfinding improvements that riders have requested | $235,000 |
| The Longwood Collective, Inc. | Support for bike repair and emergency ride home services to encourage Longwood employees not to drive to work | $55,000 |
| Watertown TMA | Expand the work of the Watertown TMA through supporting additional staff hours and TDM services | $100,100 |
Statements of Support
"This funding will give the Commonwealth's Transportation Management Associations the flexibility to address the individual commuting needs of their communities. Thanks to the Healey/Driscoll administration, MassDOT and their partners in the legislature for investing in TMAs, providing them the flexibility to design programs that improve our commutes and to help us meet our air quality and climate goals,” said Representative Steven Owens.
"The Transportation Management Associations solve important connection problems that help make our core public transit services work for people. I appreciate the work of the Healey administration to carefully choose effective approaches to TMA expansion,” said Senator William Brownsberger.
“We’re grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassDOT for recognizing the value of the Pier 10 Ferry and for investing in both the service itself and the rider experience at the terminal. This funding will help Seaport TMA and our partners continue providing a reliable transportation option that reduces single-occupancy vehicle trips, lowers emissions, and makes it easier for commuters and visitors to choose transit over driving. Just as importantly, the lighting and wayfinding improvements will make the service more visible, more intuitive, and more accessible, helping expand mobility and strengthen mode shift to water transportation in one of Boston’s busiest districts,” said Patrick Sullivan, Seaport TMA Executive Director .
“MassDOT's investment will help us continue building on the success of this shuttle service, which has expanded access to transit and provided commuters with a convenient alternative to driving alone. This funding ensures that residents, employees, and visitors can continue to benefit from a transportation option that supports mobility, sustainability, and economic activity in the Alewife district,” said Melissa Zampitella, Alewife TMA Executive Director.
“This support from MassDOT will allow us to expand our weekday shuttle service to serve the people of Allston Brighton on Saturdays,” said Scott Mullen, TDM Director at A Better City. “This new option will give new, flexible options for people of all ages and abilities to move around the neighborhood without a car, incrementally improving air quality and reducing congestion."
“We are grateful to MassDOT for its investment in Assembly Connect through the TMA Grant Program. This funding will enable us to create a permanent mobility hub that makes it easier for residents, employees, and visitors to discover and access transportation options beyond driving alone. The mobility hub serves as a central resource connecting people to transit, biking, walking, shared mobility, and other transportation services, helping make sustainable travel choices more convenient and accessible. This investment has strengthened our ability to support a more connected, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation network in the Assembly Square community,” said Allison Simmons, Executive Director, Assembly Connect.
“The MassDOT TMA grant leveraged participation from the private sector and a local commercial development impact fund to remake a Monday through Friday peak commuter hour employee shuttle into a high frequency, fare free, open to the general public, seven-days a week last mile circulator service. In the first year of Midday/Weekend service, the total ridership grew 37%, year over year,” said Jim Gascoigne, Executive Director, Charles River TMA
"The Middlesex3 TMA is excited to receive continued support from MassDOT for the Burlington Area Shuttle Network. This funding will help sustain an important transportation link connecting commuters to jobs, businesses, and educational opportunities in the Route 128 corridor while supporting regional mobility and economic growth," said Julie Quinn, Senior Program Manager, Middlesex3 TMA.
###
Media Contact
