NEW BEDFORD — Free citywide bus service, which started Jan. 1, is making a big difference for riders.
SRTA (the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority) is eliminating the $1.50 fare on all its bus routes as part of its “Try Transit” program, which will last through June 30.
“One of the things we’re really seeing is the social impact,” said Shayne Trimbell, SRTA’s director of transit planning. “We’re hearing it from our customers calling us and thanking us for the free service.”
It’s too early to estimate any changes in ridership, Trimbell said, but he was optimistic based on the messages of support he had seen so far, both from people reaching out directly to SRTA and commenting on social media.
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Sabrina Davis said she has noticed more people on the bus this month. She’s a SRTA rider based in Fall River and the organizer of Bus Riders United, an initiative run by the Coalition for Social Justice that advocates for better public transportation in southeastern Massachusetts.
“We’re super happy that people are able to use the bus who couldn’t previously,” she said. “That’s money back in people’s pockets.”
The free service could not have come at a better time, said Aaron Gannon, who was waiting for a bus with his fiancee, Jennifer Moniz, around noon on Tuesday at the downtown SRTA terminal. The two are currently living with friends while they save up for their own apartment and a car.
“We’re saving money,” Moniz said.
“A dollar fifty does add up,” Gannon added.
Before the free fare program, the couple sometimes had to walk where they needed to go because they didn’t have any money left for the bus, Moniz said. On some days they spent as much as $12 getting to work, appointments, and running errands.
Moniz and Gannon are exactly the kind of riders that officials expect to benefit most from free bus rides. Another expected benefit: More on-time arrivals because buses won’t have to idle as riders pay fares.
The fare-free program, funded by a state grant, is part of a broader push to expand the transit authority’s presence in the city.
Sunday bus service will start on Jan. 28, Trimbell said.
“We’re super excited about that,” Davis said. She has been advocating for Sunday buses since she started as an intern at the Coalition for Social Justice more than a decade ago.
The Sunday service means that Kristin Brewer won’t have to walk the half-mile from her home to her job at Market Basket.
“It’s wonderful,” she said while waiting at the downtown terminal on Tuesday.
Bus routes and schedules
SRTA currently runs 25 bus routes stopping at locations in New Bedford, Fall River, and the surrounding towns. It also operates on-demand transportation services for disabled riders.
Buses run Monday through Friday from 5:20 a.m. until 9:40 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9:05 p.m. The new Sunday bus service will follow the same schedule as Saturdays.
Brewer is also enjoying the free fares, which are saving her $40 to $50 per month. But she said she wishes SRTA would add more late-night buses on weekends.
That’s one of SRTA’s goals, Trimbell said, along with improving benches, shelters, lighting, and signage at its stops. But the timing will depend on funding. Trimbell said he’s working with the city to make improvements to some stops on Acushnet Avenue. The authority is also adding hybrid vehicles to its fleet, which are more efficient and quieter. In six years, SRTA expects to have 34 hybrid buses on the road.
SRTA also plans to add extra service connecting to New Bedford’s MBTA commuter rail stations when they open this summer.
“A lot has changed, and we’re really happy and excited about it,” Trimbell said.
Email Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org
On one hand, it’s been amazing that the buses are free. It does speed up the process for getting on as well because you don’t have to stand there and struggle to insert bills into the dated machines. It means buses aren’t waiting around for people and they’re on time.
However, DAILY, since mid-December, they have cancelled a lot of the afternoon to early evening bus routes. Especially if you’re taking the 201 to the South End of the city or the 202 to the North end of the city, you’re gambling with them being there. Just a quick glance at the SRTA website shows that they have cancelled routes almost daily. It’s miserable when you get out of work at 3 or 4 PM only to see that your next opportunity to go home won’t be until 5 or 6 PM. I’m not sure why they are suddenly having this staffing shortage, but it’s been dire since mid-December.
I hope this can be addressed BEFORE the Sunday bus service starts up because as someone who rides the 201 to get to and from work every day, it’s a drag to consistently see my bus cancelled.
Always good to hear comments from people that add to the story and what they experience. Sounds great there will be free bus service. It really does sound great but you need the bus to be there when it is supposed to be there
because unless it is reliable? The promise of the service doesn’t matter. It doesn’t work if you can’t get to work.
I want to thank all the bus drivers and employers that made this possible for myself and especially for the Sunday services now God Bless each and everyone for your services I enjoy taking the bus and appreciate everyone for there services without you all it wouldn’t be possible. Thank you.