HYANNIS – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded $5.1 million in additional funding for Regional Transit Authorities to implement best practices and innovative services to benefit customers and the largest award is coming to Cape Cod.
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority is receiving more than $482,000 for enhanced fixed route and trolley services in Falmouth and to develop a mobile app to easily contact the RTA for rides.
Funding was based on whether projects would increase ridership, innovate, serve a priority population and be financially sustainable, and provide cost savings or operational efficiencies.
Grant applications were also requested to include complete business plans and present measurable milestones.
CCRTA Administrator Tom Cahir said the transportation agency has ambitious and innovative ideas for the funding.
“We’ve planned on this effort to create an app that will not only create efficiencies, but would allow for [more service] for people in different parts of Cape Cod who are more challenging to get to with public transportation – most notably in the Falmouth area,” Cahir said.
Customers will be able to use the app to contact the RTA for a ride without having to have a call routed through an operator or customer service representative.
“We can come and get you if there is a ride available at that time and take you where you need to go,” Cahir said.
Cahir said the idea behind the app is to increase ride sharing and get residents where they need to go.
The CCRTA received $82,000 more than any other Regional Transit Authority through the awards.
“I think that was a message from the state that we are doing things right and we are being ambitious, but we are also making sound investments in the way we use our resources,” Cahir said.
“I was very proud of what we do here.”
The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority was awarded $30,375 for fixed route service marketing and the Vineyard Transit Authority will receive $83,500 to restore fixed route operations on Route 1 and Route 13.
The $5.1 million includes $4 million in operating funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget. The other $1.1 million was additional capital funding from MassDOT.
Award winners will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MassDOT to address the project goals.
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