Worcester-area residents back fare-free buses
70% want to see the program extended for a 5th year; riders say they will ride less if fares return
As the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) weighs the future of fare-free bus service, a new poll of the region finds that seven-in-ten residents support continuing the 4-year-old policy. A majority (54%) strongly support continuing free fares. And nearly half of current riders surveyed say they would ride the bus less (26%) or stop riding altogether (19%) if fares return to the WRTA.
That’s according to a new survey of residents of the 16 communities that receive WRTA bus service conducted by The MassINC Polling Group with input from the Worcester Zero Fare Coalition. The survey was sponsored by The Barr Foundation.
"As a bus rider who relies on the WRTA paratransit services, I understand how removing the economic burden of bus fares benefits not only those who rely on the bus to go about their day-to-day lives, but the entire community," said Lynn Norris of the Worcester Zero Fare Coalition. "The increase in WRTA ridership over the last four years and this survey reflects just that – free fares are overwhelmingly supported by Worcester residents, regardless of whether they ride the bus. Extending free fares for another year will be celebrated by the community and demonstrate to the nation Worcester's continued leadership in equitable transportation."
The WRTA has been running its bus and paratransit service without collecting fares from riders for nearly 4 years, going back to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, according to independent research from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, WRTA ridership has surged back, reaching 140% of pre-pandemic levels by late 2022.
The survey found that 70% of residents support continuing free-fare WRTA service, including a majority (54%) who strongly support the policy. “It’s pretty unusual to see an outright majority ‘strongly support’ any public policy,” said Richard Parr, Senior Research Director of The MassINC Polling Group, who conducted the poll. “Free fares seem to be an idea that residents see as working and that they want to continue.”
There is majority support across every demographic group polled. Support is highest among bus riders (85%) and residents making less than $50,000 (79%). But 66% of residents who have never ridden the WRTA also support free fares.
When asked why they support the policy, residents gave a variety of reasons, including reducing traffic, lowering carbon emissions, and helping combat inflation. The top reason was helping lower-income residents who lack other ways of getting around. As one resident put it: “You never know what someone is going through, and not everyone has a car and relies on the bus. When we help those in need, it’ll make society a better place. What goes around comes around.”
Of course buses cost money to operate, whether the riders are paying or not. The survey finds 69% of residents support (and 52% strongly support) continuing funding the WRTA and other RTAs from the proceeds of the new surtax on income portions over $1 million, as was done in last year’s state budget.
If free fares have fueled the WRTA’s boost in ridership, this survey suggests that charging riders a fare would depress ridership. Among bus riders in the survey, 45% said they would reduce their riding if fares returned. This includes a quarter (26%) of riders who would ride less, and 19% who would stop riding altogether. Considering that large percentages of riders are using the bus for health care appointments (49%), shopping/errands (47%), and work (38%), ending free fares could have a real impact on riders’ health and economic mobility.
The survey also sheds some light on demographic differences between riders and non-riders. They are less likely to own multiple cars; 20% of riders do not have a car at all. They are less likely to be employed full-time and more likely to be part-time employed and unemployed. A third (32%) of bus riders self-identify as Latino, compared to just 11% among non-riders. A majority of riders (54%) make less than $50,000, compared to just 17% of non-riders making that much.
The survey asked riders to explain what fare-free buses have meant to them. One rider used the bus when they couldn't drive: “When I was too poor to fix my car, I was still able to get to work and buy groceries. I think it also makes me feel more connected to the people and businesses around me. Honestly I should ride the bus more.”
Another said: “I never rode the bus until it was free. Knowing it's free makes it a no-brainer. If the bus schedule fits into my plans, I try to take the bus.”
About the poll
These results are based on a survey of 500 residents of the 16 towns with bus service from the WRTA. Responses were collected by text invitation into an online survey and by live interviews via landline and cell phones February 27 – March 3, 2024. Results were weighted by race, age and gender, education, party identification, and geography to reflect known and estimated population parameters for the adult population of these towns. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 4.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, inclusive of the design effect. This project was conducted by The MassINC Polling Group with input from the Zero Fare Coalition and sponsored by The Barr Foundation.
About the Worcester Zero Fare Coalition
The Worcester Zero Fare Coalition is an advocacy group working towards efficient, frequent, convenient transit that operates without fares.
About The MassINC Polling Group: The MassINC Polling Group is a nonpartisan public opinion research firm serving public, private, and social-sector clients. MPG elevates the public's voice with cutting edge methods and rigorous analysis. Based in Boston, MPG serves a nationwide client base.