Massachusetts Representative Pressley and Senator Markey advocate for the implementation of free rides on the MBTA and public transit.
In a significant step towards making public transportation more accessible and affordable, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) have reintroduced the "Freedom to Move Act" in July 2025. This federal legislation aims to make public transportation fare-free across the nation, with Massachusetts serving as a leading example of successful fare-free transit implementations.
The Freedom to Move Act envisions public transportation as a public good that should be fare-free to alleviate economic burdens on working families. The legislation emphasizes that fare-free transit is a means to address economic, racial, and climate justice issues, aiming to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create safer working conditions for transit employees.
The bill would authorize a $5 billion competitive grant program to help state and local governments implement fare-free programs. This funding would be used by transit agencies to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems. The current status of the bill is that it is a proposed legislation and has not yet been passed.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu supports the idea of fare-free transit, citing increased ridership and improved service on fare-free bus routes. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey stated that making public transit free can alleviate the high burden of transportation costs on working families while building a system that is more accessible and efficient. The bill is particularly aimed at helping lower-income families, who spend nearly 30% of their household income on transportation expenses.
Notably, the bill does not detail how the implementation of fare-free public transit would be managed on a national scale. However, it does aim to build on the momentum of fare-free transit expansions happening across Massachusetts communities and plans to deliver federal resources to support these efforts.
The "Freedom to Move Act" has garnered support from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is also a cosponsor of the Senate's version of the legislation. The $60 billion state budget signed into law in Massachusetts provides $209 million to regional transit authorities for fare-free transportation. This $209 million is allocated to regional transit authorities across Massachusetts for fare-free transportation.
Advocates of the bill argue that making transit infrastructure fare-free can help people access essential resources like jobs, school, child care, the grocery store, and the hospital. According to U.S. Reps. Ed Markey and Ayanna Pressley, the bill could help reduce traffic congestion and environmental concerns in cities like Boston.
However, the legislation does not specify how the $5 billion grant program would be funded. The bill is currently under review, and its future remains uncertain. Yet, it represents a significant step towards making public transportation more affordable and accessible for all, especially for lower-income families.
The Freedom to Move Act aims to make public transportation fare-free nationwide, a move that could significantly alleviate economic burdens on working families, especially those who spend nearly 30% of their household income on transportation expenses. To facilitate this, the bill proposes a $5 billion competitive grant program, with the funding intended to help state and local governments implement fare-free programs and address equity gaps in existing transit systems. The bill's impact could be evident in improving access to essential resources like jobs, school, child care, the grocery store, and the hospital, as well as reducing traffic congestion and environmental concerns in cities like Boston. However, the funding source for the grant program remains undetailed.
