The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nine awards totaling $10 million through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program. The funding will support Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, and a Regional Planning Agency in expanding flexible, technology-enabled transit options that improve access to jobs, housing, education and essential services across Massachusetts.

Among the award recipients was the City of Salem to support the “Salem Skipper” microtransit service. The Salem Skipper started as a pilot program funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation (Now Point32Health Foundation) to provide transportation to older adults as part of the city’s age-friendly initiative called “Salem for All Ages.”

The grants will support projects that use microtransit, on-demand shared-ride services, and last-mile connections that link riders to transit hubs and key destinations. Award recipients will use the funding to expand rural access, improve mobility for people who lack transit options, and support communities advancing sustainable housing and transportation planning. Three awards will fund regional bikeshare initiatives that strengthen first and last mile connections, while six awards support microtransit services.

This is a new grant program made possible by $10 million in Fair Share funding through the FY25 Supplemental budget. This round was highly competitive, and additional applications will be funded through the Community Transit Grant Program operating and mobility management funding, with award announcements forthcoming.

The following communities and organizations will receive funding in 2025:

• City of Northampton received $1,500,000 to support the regional ValleyBike electric bikeshare system, including operations, fleet expansion, and dock replacement.
• City of Quincy received $250,000 to expand the Bluebikes system across the Neponset River into Quincy.
• City of Salem received $1,000,000 to continue funding the Salem Skipper microtransit service serving Salem, Beverly, and Danvers.
• City of Woburn received $1,000,000 in funding to pilot a new regional microtransit service in partnership with Burlington, Wakefield, and Reading.
• Fourteen Regional Transit Authorities of Massachusetts received $3,250,000 tthrough a joint application to expand microtransit services across select communities.
• Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) received $1,300,000 to support bikeshare operations and add new stations near transit.
• Montachusett Regional Transit Authority received $300,000 to pilot a new microtransit service connecting community college campuses with healthcare and employment centers.
• Town of Great Barrington received $600,000 to continue their microtransit program serving Southern Berkshire County.
• Town of Stoneham received $800,000 to continue funding for a successful microtransit service in Stoneham.

For more information on the Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program, please visit the program website. The list of grant recipients can also be found here.