Efforts Build Upon Successful Pilot Programs in MA, Support State and Local Implementation of Fare-Free Public Transit

Press Conference Photos

BOSTON – Yesterday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), with the partnership of Mayor Michelle Wu, announced their continued efforts to implement fare-free public transportation in Boston and across the Commonwealth. Following a trip on the 28 bus line – a fare-free route being piloted by the City of Boston – where they spoke with riders about the impact of accessible transit, they highlighted the importance of establishing public transportation as a public good, increasing communities’ connectivity to critical services, and investing in safe, reliable, high-quality public transit systems.

To advance these efforts at the federal level, Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey recently reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act, legislation that compliments successful fare-free pilot programs in Boston in collaboration with Mayor Wu and with leadership from Regional Transit Authorities across the Commonwealth.

“Our transportation systems should reflect the needs of our community – connectivity, accessibility, equity, and safety,” said Rep. Pressley. “The success of these fare-free transit pilot programs proves that this investment doesn’t just get our neighbors where they’re going – it addresses severe disparities in financial barriers, reduces emissions, and promotes a more connected community. Fare-free transit – and the Freedom to Move Act’s proposed expansion of these efforts – would give commuters the opportunity to traverse their community without having to worry about cost. I’m proud to work with Senator Markey, Mayor Wu, and transit equity advocates to make this a reality across the Commonwealth and our country.”

“My ride on the 28 bus was quick, easy, and, most importantly, free,” said Senator Markey. “Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Wu, the Healey administration, and our Regional Transit Authorities, Massachusetts is showing the nation that fare free transit boosts ridership, lowers costs, and advances racial and economic justice. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Pressley to build on this progress with the introduction of our Freedom to Move Act, which will give communities the resources to make public transportation free and equitable while helping to address the existential challenge of our time, climate change. As I saw firsthand today, fare free is worry free. It’s time for Congress to hop aboard this express route to a brighter, greener, and more affordable future.”

“Fare-free transit in Boston shows what’s possible when we prioritize investing in our communities and ensuring our public transportation system puts our residents and families first,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As fare-free transportation continues to have tremendous success in cities and towns across the state, it’s clear that making routes fare-free increases ridership, improves service reliability, and supports our regional economy. I’m grateful to Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley for their leadership and continued advocacy to ensure we build on our progress. We will continue to partner with community members to improve our efforts here in Boston and look forward to working closely with other municipalities statewide to expand access and better connect our communities.”

Full text of the Freedom to Move Act is available here.

Low-income families have faced the biggest financial burden by spending nearly 30 percent of their household income on transportation expenses. Traffic congestion has also worsened greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, exacerbating climate change and contributing to health disparities like asthma and lung cancer in marginalized communities.

Increasing access to free, safe, reliable, and accessible public transit systems will help improve community livability and mobility, increase connectivity to critical services—particularly for low-income workers and families, people of color, students, seniors, and people with disabilities—and address many of our nation’s most severe inequities.

The Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by:

• Establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems;
• Investing in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and
• Ensuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems.

Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good.

In July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers’ Freedom to Move Act.

In March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act.

In August 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown.

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