Brockton, MA’s Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT) was recently awarded $297,250 in additional funding through a competitive discretionary grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MassDOT announced the awards of $5.1 million for Regional Transit Authorities across the Commonwealth to implement best practices and innovative services designed to benefit customers. This includes $4 million in operating funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget signed by Governor Baker as well as an additional $1.1 million in capital funding for new equipment and technology.

BAT was the only Regional Transit Authority to receive three separate grants and will use the funding to increase service from downtown Brockton to Ashmont Station (MBTA Red Line), Stoughton, and Bridgewater State University.

Grants were determined based on projected increases to ridership, innovative approaches to service provision, and the ability to serve priority populations. The performance of each project will be evaluated by MassDOT regularly.

“BAT’s application for funds and subsequent award are consistent with our Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan and recognize the need for additional service for the growing population of our region.” said BAT’s Administrator, Reinald G. Ledoux, Jr.

BAT’s awards:

  • Brockton – Ashmont – Increases service on BAT’s busiest route, Ashmont Station (MBTA Red Line). BAT will add two additional round trips to its current daily service of twenty express and thirty-six local round trips. This service travels from BAT’s downtown intermodal center through the densely populated neighborhoods of Brockton, Avon, Randolph and Milton to Dorchester. BAT identified a need for increased service in order to best accommodate the more than 2,100 daily passengers.
  • Brockton – Stoughton – Increases direct service from BAT’s intermodal center to downtown Stoughton and on to Cobbs Corner. This service will improve connections between two different commuter rail lines, integrate an underserved, but growing, central business district, and connect densely populated neighborhoods in both Brockton and Stoughton. BAT’s more frequent service and a realigned route will improve the choices currently available to rail customers and reduce the need to use a car for commuting.
  • Brockton – Bridgewater & BSU “ Increases frequency of trips from BAT’s intermodal center to Bridgewater State University (BSU by providing four additional trips per day. This change supports the consistent growth in ridership to BSU and improves customer service by accommodating demand from both students and local residents. BAT has maintained a successful partnership with BSU for over 30 years that has been identified as a best practice state-wide. BAT provides buses, training, and maintenance, while BSU provides student drivers, student managers, fuel, and professional administration. While classes are in session, BSU drivers provide continuous free service around the campus until 2 a.m. daily.