Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $5.4 Million to Expand Mobility and Access Across Massachusetts

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced 47 awards totaling $5,484,297 to 40 Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, and nonprofits through MassDOT’s FY26 Community Transit Grant Program operating and mobility management cycle. 

These grants will support operating programs and service pilots that provide rides through volunteer driver programs, purchased rides, or services operated by the grantee. Funding will also support mobility management initiatives that help residents learn about and navigate available transit options through staff, support, travel training, and technology improvements. 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is leading the way to improve quality of life for all, and with the continued support of the Legislature, we are proud to provide funding to make invaluable investments to expand age-friendly and accessible transportation for residents across Massachusetts. MassDOT is committed to supporting and expanding accessible and mobile transportation options that facilitate independence and strengthen local economies by providing safe, accessible, and reliable transportation for communities and their residents across the entire Commonwealth. Through MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program, we’re partnering with municipalities, transit authorities, non-profits, and Councils on Aging to continue investing in our residents’ abilities to travel with full knowledge, comfort, safety, and dignity,” said Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. 

“Through the Community Transit Grant Program, MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division continues to support our partners at Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, and local nonprofit agencies who provide transit solutions to their communities,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “These grants will provide valuable transit solutions that will enhance mobility and connect residents with the services they rely on.” 

This round of operating grants includes funding for a long-distance medical shuttle that helps riders access appointments, services providing rides in rural areas with limited public transit, and funding to provide door-through-door transportation support for people traveling to medical appointments where they will be under anesthesia, and more. 

Mobility management grants will support programs such as travel training services, which teach individuals how to ride transit safely and independently, and mobility managers, who help residents understand and coordinate available transportation options. Funding will also support local collaboration among community organizations working to improve regional mobility. 

“The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is pleased to receive these awards, which will enable us to continue our Beyond ADA grant program. Through this program, we support area Councils on Aging in extending transportation services beyond what we can provide directly. This funding also sustains our Mobility Management program, where staff work with older adults, people with disabilities, and other community members to build the skills and knowledge needed to ride our buses and access transit independently. As one student with a disability who participated in the program shared, ‘I liked the travel training a lot because it showed me how to be independent in terms of my travel options." said Sandra E. Sheehan, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority Administrator.  

“The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) is grateful for this grant that will allow us to continue our popular MedWheels program, where we provide rides for older adults and people with disabilities to access long-distance medical appointments when other transportation options are not available. This program can make a big difference for people, such as a resident of Berkley who was able to use MedWheels to get her husband to a specialty oncology appointment that she had been afraid he would have to miss.” said the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority MedWheels team. 

“We are deeply grateful to MassDOT for this vital operating grant. This funding allows us to bridge the gap for our most vulnerable residents, providing essential regional transportation to our social day programs and ensuring safe, escorted medical rides for those undergoing complex procedures. By removing transportation barriers, we are effectively opening doors to the care and connection in our community." said Jane Burns, Director of Elder Services, Town of Andover 

The following communities and organizations will receive funding in 2026:

• Attleboro Young Men’s Christian Association: Awarded $46,200 for the “Community Access to Rides Program.”
• Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: Awarded $11,560 for the “BRTA Travel Training Program” and $332,142 for “Senior Rural Transportation in Berkshire County.”
• Brockton Area Transit Authority: Awarded $65,701 for “Avon/Stoughton Beyond ADA,” $500,000 for “BAT Flex Bridgewater,” and $104,485 for “BAT Flex Rockland.”
• Cape Ann Transportation Authority: Awarded $200,000 for “CATA Access for All.”
• City of Lynn: Awarded $100,000 for “Regional Mobility Manager: Community Transportation Coordinator.”
• City of Pittsfield - Senior Center: Awarded $50,000 for “RideForward.”
• City of Quincy - Council on Aging: Awarded $75,000 for the “Quincy Council on Aging Enhanced Mobility Initiative.”
• Family Service Association: Awarded $14,000 for “Vehicle Restorations.”
• Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority: Awarded $321,707 for “MedWheels.”
• Greater Lynn Senior Services, Inc.: Awarded $100,000 for “MoveSafe/Mobility Links (MS/ML).”
• Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard: Awarded $145,654 for “On-island Transportation Solutions for Older Adults.”
• Helping Our Women: Awarded $135,000 for “Medical transportation for rural women living with chronic or serious health conditions.”
• Lowell Regional Transit Authority: Awarded $67,056 for “Mobility Outreach Coordinator.”
• Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority: Awarded $132,000 for “Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) Mobility Manager/Transportation Coordinator.”
• MeVa Transit (Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority): Awarded $178,720 for “Let’s Go! With Meva.”
• Montachusett Enterprise Center, Inc.: Awarded $74,470 for “Regional Transit Data and Community Engagement Initiative.”
• Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES): Awarded $105,618 to continue a long-standing mobility management program and $50,000 to support TRIP, a volunteer driver program.
• Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA): Awarded $149,280 to hire a travel trainer and mobility manager.
• Norfolk County RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program): Awarded $10,000 for “Norfolk County RSVP ‘Rides for Vets’ Service.”
• Northern Essex Elder Transport, Inc. "NEET": Awarded $150,000 for “Vital Voyages II: Ensuring Equitable Medical Access for Older Adults in the Merrimack Valley.”
• Old Colony Planning Council - Area Agency on Aging: Awarded $12,386 for the “OCPC-AAA Older Adult, Disabled, & Caregiver Volunteer Transportation & Alternative Transportation program.”
• Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Awarded $364,649 for “Beyond ADA” and $122,531 for the “Travel Training Program.”
• S.C.M. COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION: Awarded $50,000 for “Enhanced and Expanded Transportation Options for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities.”
• ServiceNet, Inc.: Awarded $175,000 for the “Ticket to Work Transportation Access Project.”
• Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services: Awarded $75,000 for “SCES Transportation Hub.”
• South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.: Awarded $100,000 for the “South Shore Senior Transportation Collaborative (SSSTC).”
• Taking People Places, Inc.: Awarded $90,000 for “Taking People Places.”
• Town of Acton: Awarded $75,000 for “CrossTown Connect.”
• Town of Andover, Elder Services Division: Awarded $60,000 for “Enhanced Community Transportation Services.”
• Town of Brookline - Council on Aging and Senior Center: Awarded $50,000 for the “Brookline Council on Aging Transportation Program.”
• Town of Lexington: Awarded $100,000 to support Lexpress bus services.
• Town of Millbury - Senior Center: Awarded $24,053 for “Millbury Senior and Accessible Transportation Expansion.”
• Town of Needham: Awarded $15,000 for the “Needham Council on Aging Medical Transportation Program.”
• Town of North Reading: Awarded $75,000 for “North Reading Operations and Mobility Management.”
• Town of Ware - Quaboag Connector: Awarded $525,000 for the Quaboag Connector.
• Town of Westport - Council on Aging: Awarded $30,000 for “Door to Door Transportation Services.”
• Tri-Valley Inc.: Awarded $260,000 for the “Tri-Valley Transportation Grant Program.”
• Up Island Council on Aging: Awarded $54,085 for the “Up Island Council on Aging Community Shuttle.”
• Weymouth Elder Services: Awarded $15,000 for “Weymouth Elder Services Non-Medical Transport.”
• Worcester Regional Transit Authority: Awarded $8,000 to extend service hours from Holden to Worcester, $60,000 for the “SCM Elderbus – ReadyBus Service,” and $25,000 for the “SCM Elderbus – Midday Shuttle.”

This round of Community Transit Grant Program awards is funded using $4 million from the Education and Transportation Fund through the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, as well as $1.48 million in Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funding. 

For more information on the FY26 Community Transit Grant Program, visit the Community Transit Grant Program website. 

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