WRTA Bus Service Improvements

Context

Order by Councilors Gary Rosen, Robert A. Bilotta, Morris A. Bergman and Khrystian E. King asking the Public Service and Transportation Committee to hold hearings and recommend improvements to Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) service: rapid transit, route changes, a same-day paratransit pilot, better service times, a review of hub-and-spoke operations and better metrics. The Real Rapid Transit Coalition (Tufts University) urges high-frequency corridors. Related matters heard by the same committee: the WRTA FY27 snow plan and the removal of a bus route past the EcoTarium.

Status

The main order remains in committee (held 2026-03-26, 2026-05-21 and 2026-07-23). On 2026-07-23 the committee adopted two chairman's orders (rapid transit and transit signal priority on Lincoln St., Main St. and Grafton St.; encouraging WRTA to apply for MassDOT microtransit/last-mile and community transit grants). On 2026-09-17 WRTA Administrator Joshua Rickman discussed the EcoTarium route and a microtransit study timeline.

Log

• 2026-09-17 - Public Service and Transportation Committee — EcoTarium route item filed 3-0 after Rickman's overview; stop relocation outreach and microtransit study timeline discussed.
• 2026-07-23 - Public Service and Transportation Committee — Hearing on the main order with Tufts presentation; two chairman's orders adopted 3-0; item held. WRTA snow plan for FY27 filed.