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These last few weeks have felt like our first glimpses of a welcome spring – and with that more opportunities to attend events and meetings across the state without the threat of winter cancellations!
I recently attended a Transportation Committee meeting hosted by the 495/MetroWest Partnership (a regional public/private consortium) that featured a presentation by Jim Nee, Administrator of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority about the new 495 Connector service. Funded in part with a MassDOT FY25 Connectivity Grant and launched in spring 2025, the commuter service creates the first north-south bus connections along the Route 495 corridor. Running between 495 Forge Park and the South Acton Commuter Rail Stations, the service is currently focused on commuters in the morning and afternoons. A combination of online marketing, in person announcements at stations, and postal mail flyers marketed the new service. According to Nee, ridership has steadily grown this first year of service, from about 25 passenger trips per day to about 75-85 passenger trips per day. The service makes 23 connections to commuter rail service at three different commuter rail train stations throughout the day. The program has received continued funding from the Transit Connectivity Grant Program.
In addition, I attended a panel discussion convened by the new North Central Rides Transportation Management Association (TMA) and hosted in Devens to garner feedback from area employers as the new TMA in that region continues to grow. A Transportation Management Association (TMA) is a membership-based organization that focuses on improving transportation options and infrastructure by offering a variety of mobility solutions to member organizations and their employees in a region. The discussion was moderated by Roy Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. Panelists included Tricia Pistone AVP External Affairs, HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Melissa Zampitella, Executive Director of the Alewife TMA, Neil Angus, Director, Devens Enterprise Commission, and Rich Holcomb, Director of Construction and Facilities, Commonwealth Fusion Systems. The panel discussed a range of topics, opportunities, and benefits in joining the new TMA for both employees and employers. Ride matching, van pools, bike buddies, and shuttle buses were discussed as potential solutions to employee needs. The launch of the North Central Rides TMA was supported by a MassDOT TMA Grant.
Stay in touch!
Maria Foster, Statewide Mobility Lead
Community Transit Grant Awards Announcement
This past month, The Healey-Driscoll Administration 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 support projects that expand mobility services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income populations through providing rides - including volunteer driver programs, purchased rides, or services operated by the grantee. Funding also supports mobility management initiatives that help residents learn about and navigate available transit options through staffing support, travel training, and technology improvements. Community Transit Grant Program - Accessible Vehicles are awarded separately.
MassDOT invites public comment on State Management Plan
MassDOT’s Rail & Transit Division is inviting public comment on proposed revisions to our State Management Plan, a document describing how we award the funding we receive from the Federal Transit Administration. Read the proposed revision and submit your comments. Please submit comments by Friday, April 17.
Resources for Travel Training
The Massachusetts Center on Inclusive Higher Education and Transition at the Institute for Community Inclusion, has published two Grab and Go Practices on exploring transportation and mobility for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Breaking Barriers: Transportation and Mobility Solutions for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in College highlights a variety of transit options to support independence on campus. Promoting Independence Through Travel Training: A Guide to Using Shared Ride Alternatives with Students discusses how transition planning should include a discussion of transportation and specific travel training.
Also, this month, the Coordinated Council on Access and Mobility - TAC These Roads We Share video series highlighted the Rhode Island Public Transit Travel Training Network - a statewide collaboration helping people build the confidence and skills they need to travel independently. RIPTA partnered with many community-based organizations to create a variety of shared training resources - including videos, a pocket guide, and customizable travel training presentations - giving those community-based staff the tools they need to help their own customers feel comfortable riding transit.
The Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) and Easterseals Project Action (ESPA) have partnered to present the webinar, Partners in Independence: Engaging Families, Guardians, and Educators in the Travel Training Journey, on April 8, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET. This webinar will explore how travel trainers can effectively engage families, guardians, and educators as partners in the travel training process. The webinar will be led by Jeffrey Dennis, Senior Research Specialist and Travel Instructor, NJTIP @ Rutgers and Judy Shanley, Ph.D., M.B.A., National Director, Transportation & Mobility, AVP, Education & Youth Transition, Easterseals. Registration is free but space is limited. Multiple people from the same organization are encouraged to log in together.
Upcoming Webinars
The Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) and Easterseals Project Action (ESPA), Partners in Independence: Engaging Families, Guardians, and Educators in the Travel Training Journey, on April 8, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET (see above for more details).
On April 21 at 1:00PM ET, Coordinated Council on Access and Mobility - Technical Assistance Center will host a webinar on how grantees of federal 5310 funds can maximize their use. CCAM-TAC will provide technical assistance and resources for 5310 recipients. Register on the CCAM-TAC web site.
On April 29 at 1:30PM ET, the Shared Use Mobility Center is hosting a webinar on AI to introduce examples of smaller and more practical tools like RideSheet.org and HopIn, to help transportation providers find out where AI actually delivers value.
Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: Rural Transportation Demand Management & Mobility Access
In this episode of the American Planning Association podcast, Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning, co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall spoke with Luke Van Denend, Outreach Coordinator at AECOM, and Zoe Miller, MPH, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Moving Maine Network, in a conversation focused on rural Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and mobility access.
Walk Mass: Walk Audit Training
WalkMassachusetts is hosting a hands-on Walk Audit Academy training in Randolph (Saturday, May 2) & Holliston (Tuesday, May 5). The academy is designed to empower municipal staff, community members, and regional stakeholders to identify pedestrian safety and accessibility issues, gather valuable community insights, and advocate for infrastructure improvements. The training is designed to support communities with the tools they need to conduct their own walk audit. Register with Walk Mass.
Funding Opportunities
Applications are open for APTA’s Local Coalition Grant Program to support projects by local coalitions that have joined together for the common purpose of promoting public transit. Any local public transportation coalition is eligible, provided it has the support of the local APTA public transit member(s) and makes a pledge to become a member in good standing of the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA) before receiving a grant. An APTA public transit system member may apply for the funds on behalf of a coalition, or a coalition may apply directly for the funds. Grant amounts awarded to coalitions generally range from $5,000 to $10,000. The deadline for this grant opportunity is April 24, 2026.
Outride Community Impact Grant focuses on bike rider education programs for youth and older adults. The grant supports unrestricted funding for cycling organizations or schools for projects between $5000-$15000. The application deadline is April 30, 2026.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is accepting applications for the Catalyst Fund to provide one-time non-renewable grants up to $7,500. The purpose of the grant is to help community-based organizations strengthen their capacity to expand access to health and health care in Massachusetts. The Catalyst Fund is intended to help organizations pay for activities that strengthen their infrastructure, build capacity, or plan for the future. There are four deadlines throughout the year. The next deadline is May 5, 2026.
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