Merrimack Valley’s public transit service made history Thursday morning when its advisory board voted unanimously to make the system permanently fare free.
The Merrimack Valley Transit Authority first went away with fares in March 2022 as part of a two-year pilot program. The policy was extended last year after the Healey administration announced grant funding for 13 Regional Transit Authorities — which provide public transportation to communities outside of the MBTA’s system — to launch or continue fare-free service in 2025.
MeVa’s ridership has tripled since it got rid of fares, the authority said.
Administrator Noah Berger said they’ve seen a variety of benefits, including more kids using transit to get to school and more residents making it to the doctor’s office.
“People are actually going to medical appointments that they would’ve otherwise skipped,” Berger said.
Data from communities across the state shows that fare-free programs have led to a spike in the use of public transit, with ridership in Worcester and the Merrimack Valley both surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Thursday’s analysis will likely give a greater glimpse into the success of Merrimack Valley Transit’s program over the past three years.
Merrimack Valley Transit serves roughly 3.5 million riders per year in 16 cities and towns, including Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. Lawrence, the largest city in its service district, is 83% Latino and has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the commonwealth. Proponents of free transit say it helps promote equity and makes it easier for low-income riders to commute to work without cars.
