Worcester Regional Transit Authority
 | |
 A WRTA route 27 bus at Auburn Mall in 2017 | |
| Founded | 1974 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | WRTA Garage - 42 Quinsagamond Avenue WRTA Hub - 60 Foster St. |
| Locale | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit |
| Operator | Central Mass Transit Management |
| Website | therta.com |
Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is a public, non-profit organization charged with providing public transportation to the city of Worcester, Massachusetts and the surrounding towns. The WRTA was created in September 1974 under Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws. This act also created several other regional transit authorities in Massachusetts, including the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority among others; in terms of ridership, the WRTA is the second largest regional transit authority and third largest transit system in Massachusetts.[1]
WRTA buses have been free to ride since 2020, making it the longest-running fare-free system of public transportation in the United States.[2] Currently, the fare-free program is extended until at least June 2024.[2]
History[edit]
The WRTA was created in September 1974 under Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws. This act also created several other regional transit authorities in Massachusetts, including the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority among others
Free fare program[edit]
In 2020, WRTA made the bus service free to ride. On April 20, 2023, the WRTA extended the policy.[2] Currently, the fare-free program is extended until at least June 2024.[2]
Routes[edit]
The WRTA currently provides fixed route bus service to Worcester, and the surrounding towns of Auburn, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Webster, West Boylston. In addition to its fixed route bus service, the WRTA provides Community Shuttle Flex Van Service (limited shuttle service) to Grafton, Northbridge, and Westborough.[3] The WRTA also provides paratransit service to a total of 37 communities in Central Massachusetts.
The WRTA's Operations and Maintenance Center is located at 42 Quinsigamond Ave in Worcester's Green Island Neighborhood. This new garage replaces the old one, meant to be a trolley yard, holding just 1/2 of the new capacity. The WRTA's previous facility is now home to a shopping center.
Fixed Route Bus Service[edit]
| Route #[3] | Route Name[3] |
|---|---|
| 1 | Union Station Hub - Walmart 146 via Providence & Granite St. |
| 2 | Union Station Hub - Tatnuck Square via Pleasant St. |
| 3 | Union Station Hub - Worcester State University via Highland St. |
| 4 | Union Station Hub - The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley via Millbury St. |
| 5 | Union Station Hub - Blithewood/Massasoit via Grafton St. |
| 6 | Union Station Hub - West Tatnuck via Chandler St. |
| 7 | Union Station Hub - Washington Heights Apts. via Mill St. |
| 825 | Park Ave Connector |
| 11 | Union Station Hub - The Fair Plaza via Vernon Hill and Greenwood St. |
| 12 | Union Station Hub - Edgemere Crossing and DTA/RMV via Grafton St. |
| 14 | Union Station Hub - Market32 and QCC via Burncoat St. |
| 15 | Union Station Hub - Shrewsbury Center via Shrewsbury St. & Route 9 |
| 16 | Union Station Hub - Lincoln Plaza via Hamilton St. & Lake Ave. |
| 19 | Union Station Hub - Webster Square Plaza or Goddard Dr or Leicester (or Spencer) DPW - Clark University via Main St. |
| 23 | Union Station Hub - East Mountain Street via Lincoln St. |
| 24 | Union Station Hub - UMass Medical Center via Belmont St. |
| 26 | Union Station Hub - Great Brook Valley via Lincoln St. |
| 27 | Union Station Hub - Auburn Mall via Main St. |
| 29 | Union Station Hub - Southbridge - Charlton. |
| 30 | Union Station Hub - W. Boylston Wal-Mart via Grove St. & W. Boylston St. |
| 31 | Union Station Hub - Lincoln Plaza via Grove St. & West Boylston St. |
| 33 | Union Station Hub - Spencer - Brookfield via Main St. & Rt. 9 |
| 42 | Union Station Hub - Oxford - Webster via Southbridge St. & Rt. 12 |
Community Shuttle Flex Van Service[edit]
| Route[3] | Route Name[3] |
|---|---|
| Route A | Northbridge Walmart - Shoppes at Blackstone Valley via Fisherville |
| Route B | New Village - Rockdale - Stop & Stop - Grafton MBTA Station |
| Westborough Shuttle | Westborough MBTA to Computer Drive (Commuter) / Westborough Local |
| Southbridge, Dudley, Webster Shuttle | via routes 29 & 42 |
Fleet[edit]
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority operates a fleet of 46 Gillig Low Floor buses, 6 Proterra EcoRide battery electric buses, and 35 Ford E350 minibuses.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ 2018 MassDOT Annual Report on Regional Transit Authorities (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-05-03.
- ^ a b c d Turken, Sam (2023-04-20). "Worcester area buses to remain free for at least another year". WGBH News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
- ^ a b c d e "Worcester Regional Transit Authority Schedules". therta.com. 2017-02-05. Archived from the original on 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
- ^ "Overview of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority". Mass.Gov. Office of the State Auditor. 2018-08-03. Archived from the original on 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
External links[edit]
Nickname(s): The City of the Seven Hills, The Heart of the Commonwealth, Wormtown, Woo-town, The Woo | ||
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