The bill establishes a Fare Free Pilot Program for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts, as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Massachusetts Budget Act, which allocated $15 million for operating funds to support means-tested, discounted, or fare-free transit initiatives. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) facilitated a competitive grant process, leading to a collaborative proposal from fourteen RTAs under the Try Transit 2.0 program. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and ridership for low-income individuals by allowing RTAs to implement fare-free services at their discretion throughout the fiscal year, with some programs potentially extending into FY25. The report indicates positive outcomes, including increased ridership and reduced conflicts between passengers and drivers, although only six RTAs exceeded pre-pandemic ridership levels.

Additionally, the bill allocates federal COVID funding to support public transit operations, with a total of $19,135,605 designated for operating expenses. This includes a joint application from fourteen RTAs requesting $11,329,433 to provide fare-free services to first-time riders, alongside a separate application from the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) for $506,758 to expand its existing fare-free program for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The bill emphasizes the importance of ongoing data collection to assess the long-term effects of fare-free transit on ridership and service accessibility, while also addressing the financial implications of these programs, including a decline in fare revenue and farebox recovery ratios across RTAs.