Transportation for Massachusetts awards $500,000 in grants to boost transportation equity across 13 communities
Funds will support the expansion of rural and urban transit services, improve rider access, and support local advocacy on critical housing, transit and development issues
BOSTON – A statewide coalition tackling transportation justice, equity and affordability issues across the Commonwealth awarded $500,000 in grants to 13 groundbreaking projects today, with a special focus on Western Mass communities.
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) Impact Grants support community-driven initiatives that promote transportation access and social justice. By partnering with organizations and leaders from Western Massachusetts to Greater Boston, these grants prioritize equitable transportation solutions. More than 60% of funding is dedicated to projects outside Greater Boston, underscoring T4MA’s commitment to improving access and equity in Central and Western Massachusetts.
“We’re focused on supporting and uplifting work that addresses decades of inequitable transportation policies that are adversely impacting low-income, working class, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color,” said Reggie Ramos, Executive Director of T4MA. “Together, through these grants, we know our collective efforts can lead us to just and equitable transportation systems.”
“It’s wonderful that all regions of the Commonwealth will reap the benefits of these resources,” said Andrea Freeman, Public Health Institute of Western MA, T4MA Board Member. “The need is truly great, perhaps nowhere more so than in Western Massachusetts.”
Grantees are leading essential work to strengthen and improve the state’s transportation systems, and ensure that underserved communities are at the center of proposing and driving solutions on both the community and statewide level.
Awardees include:
ACT Lawrence will enhance financial education and counseling for youth and adults, promoting financial independence.
Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE) will support the youth-led T Riders Union in advocating for improved MBTA service in Greater Boston.
Coalition for Social Justice will organize riders around transit justice and affordable housing, focusing on initiatives like Bus Riders United and the Zero Fare Coalition.
Western MA Transportation Advocacy Network will invest in an annual transportation forum to secure funding and develop innovative solutions for rural transportation challenges.
GreenRoots will hire new staff for multilingual outreach and lead the Chelsea Public Transit Task Force, addressing transit needs in car-limited communities such as Chelsea and East Boston.
Groundwork Lawrence will support the Pa’lante task force in climate change education and the development of a city-wide pedestrian plan in Lawrence.
Hilltown Community Development Corporation will expand flexible micro-transit in 10 rural towns by purchasing a van, recruiting drivers, and enhancing service marketing.
MassBike will expand its coalition to address transportation needs in Environmental Justice communities and under-resourced areas.
Neighbor to Neighbor MA will integrate transportation justice into its strategic plan, broadening advocacy from Lynn to Worcester and Springfield.
New England United for Justice will launch the Squares and Streets planning process, advocating for improvements at the intersection of housing, development, and transit in Dorchester and Mattapan.
Public Health Institute of Western MA will support the Healthy Air Network’s advocacy for clean air and transportation initiatives across Springfield, Holyoke, and regional partners.
RTAG/Boston Center for Independent Living will establish a working group of bike, disability, and pedestrian advocates to collaborate on bike lane issues in Boston.
WalkMassachusetts will lead advocacy efforts for walk and road safety audits, ensuring pedestrian and cyclist considerations in roadway design.
“Rural areas have been left out of transportation planning and investment and the Hilltowns are not immune from this national phenomenon,” said Joan Griswold, Hilltown Community Development Corporation Director of Community Programs. “There are no alternatives to transportation in our rural communities and funding from T4MA will expand the service area of the two microtransit programs we have built to provide vital transportation services for our Hilltown residents.”
New England United for Justice is using their grant to power the Squares and Streets planning process in Boston “to build awareness and create space for the community to advocate for local changes at the intersection of housing, development, and transit,” said New England United for Justice Executive Director Noemi “Mimi” Ramos. “We are also focused on rebuilding transit systems and development changes to Columbia Road in Dorchester.
“This grant will support advancing the work of our community engagement group focusing on community education around climate change,” said Eddie Rosa, Groundwork Lawrence, which received a $46,000 Impact Grant. “It’s part of our ongoing efforts to increase accessibility in the city, which includes the development of a city-wide pedestrian plan.”
T4MA works towards a Commonwealth with transportation systems that connect people with their choice of housing, economic opportunities, healthcare, and accessible and reliable public transportation that benefits residents in all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.