Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

What Montachusett Regional Transit Authority does

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) is a public regional transit authority created in 1978 under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 161B, serving 25 cities and towns across North Central Massachusetts (Northern Worcester and Western Middlesex counties). The authority operates 12 fixed bus routes plus 6 regional routes and flex services on 15-to-60-minute headways, ADA paratransit, MART Connects microtransit (door-to-door service in Ayer, Devens, Lancaster, and Shirley), Council on Aging transportation, and free veterans shuttles to VA facilities in Boston and Worcester. MART also operates as the contracted broker for Massachusetts Human Service Transportation (HST) services, coordinating 200+ private transportation providers that complete over 4 million non-emergency medical trips annually for MassHealth members and other human-service agency consumers across 286 of Massachusetts' 351 communities (approximately 29,000 of 37,000+ HST consumers).

The authority's technology stack is built around two third-party platforms: Passio/PassioGO provides real-time bus tracking and passenger information, while QRyde powers the HSTrides member portal and Rider mobile app (iOS/Android) for booking, reviewing, and cancelling non-emergency medical trips. A $685,746 federal grant from the FTA (July 2023) is funding development of an in-house regional transit app aimed at improving mobility for low-income North County residents. Supporting tools include an Interactive Virtual Attendant (IVA) for 24/7 self-service telephony, Constant Contact email newsletters, and an Open Government portal publishing audited financials and vendor payments. MART holds 101-250 employees across four physical service locations in Fitchburg, Gardner, Athol, and the Intermodal Bus Depot.

MART's revenue is a mix of public-sector appropriations and commercial streams: federal FTA capital grants (including $2,849,185 of DOT-assisted contracts projected across FFY2024-FFY2026), state funding via MassDOT, local member-community assessments, farebox revenue (with discounts for elderly, disabled, veterans, and students; many routes fare-free), MassHealth/HST brokerage managed-services contracts, and transit advertising ($40-$310/month for bus/shelter placements). The authority is governed by an Advisory Board of chief elected officials from member communities and is led by Administrator Stephen Oldfield and CFO Steven Bliss. MART is a quasi-governmental entity, not privately held, with no parent company or venture ownership.

Name

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

Legal name

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

Website

https://mrta.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) is a Massachusetts public regional transit authority providing fixed-route buses, ADA paratransit, microtransit, and brokered non-emergency medical transportation across 25 North Central Massachusetts communities and 286 HST communities statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Special Needs Transportation (485991), Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wheelchair-Accessible & Mobility Vehicle Transport (HSABAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior/Accessibility Concierge & Companion Errands (HSACAIAO), Errand, Shopping & Personal Appointment Escort (HSABAOAF)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• ADA paratransit transportation
• Human service transportation
• Fixed-route bus service
• Microtransit on-demand service

Headquarters

HQ city

Fitchburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Transit Fares: Revenue from bus fares, passes, and stored value CharlieCards. Discounts provided to elderly, disabled, veterans, and students.
2. Federal Transit Administration Grants: FTA funding for capital projects including IT infrastructure, facility improvements, and vehicle acquisitions. MART expects to award $2,849,185 in DOT-assisted contracts between FFY2024 and FFY2026.
3. State Funding (MassDOT): State funding through Massachusetts Department of Transportation for regional transit operations.
4. Transit Advertising: Revenue from advertising on bus exteriors, interiors, and bus shelters. Various sign formats available at monthly rates ranging from $40 to $310.
5. Brokerage Transportation Services: MART brokers human service transportation through the Massachusetts HST Office, managing services for MassHealth and other human service agencies across 286 Massachusetts communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MART is a Massachusetts regional transit authority that provides fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit, demand-response microtransit (MART Connects), non-emergency medical transportation (MassHealth/HST brokerage), veterans and senior shuttles, and commuter rail park-and-ride facilities across 25 cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts. It also brokers human service transportation across 286 of 351 Massachusetts communities via a network of 200+ contracted providers.

Product overview

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) operates as a traditional public transit authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response transportation across 25 cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts. The core offering consists of fixed-route bus service (12 local routes plus 6 regional routes), ADA paratransit, MassHealth non-emergency medical transportation via HST brokerage, MART Connects microtransit service, Council on Aging transportation for seniors, Veterans transportation, and commuter parking facilities. Supporting services include Travel Training, real-time Bus Tracker via PassioGO, advertising opportunities, and an Open Government transparency portal. MART Connects provides door-to-door service in select communities, while the MassHealth transportation program managed through QRyde serves members needing medical appointment transportation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HSTrides: Human Service Transportation brokerage division that manages non-emergency medical transportation for MassHealth members and other human service agencies across Massachusetts.
• MART Connects

Products and services

• Fixed-Route Bus Service Regional fixed-route bus service operating 12 fixed routes Monday through Saturday on 15 to 60 minute frequency, plus 6 regional routes on weekdays. Covers Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and Athol areas with local routes, commuter shuttles, and flex routes.
• ADA Paratransit Service Complementary ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) paratransit service available in Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and Athol, and within 3/4 mile of fixed routes in Lunenburg, Lancaster, Westminster, Phillipston, Templeton, and Winchendon.
• MassHealth Transportation (HST Brokerage) Non-emergency medical transportation for MassHealth members, brokered through the Massachusetts Human Service Transportation (HST) Office. Covers medical, counseling, and day habilitation appointments with PT-1 form authorization.
• MART Connects Microtransit Door-to-door on-demand transportation service in Lancaster, Shirley, Devens, and Ayer areas. Operates 7 days a week with advance reservations required, offering connections to MART fixed routes and commuter rail at Monument Square.
• Council on Aging Transportation Transportation service for elderly and disabled residents in all MART communities, operated in coordination with local Council on Aging organizations.
• Veterans Transportation Shuttle service to Veterans centers and hospitals in Boston (Bedford VA through Jamaica Plain VA) and Worcester, running three times daily from the MART Intermodal Center. Free service for Veterans with supplements from Fitchburg and Leominster.
• Commuter Parking Four park-and-ride facilities along the MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail line including Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center, North Leominster Intermodal Transportation Center, Wachusett Station, and Ayer Station parking.
• Transit Advertising Transit advertising opportunities on bus exteriors, interiors, and bus shelters. Includes various sign formats (Super King, King, Queen, Tail, Super Tail) and pricing tiers with discounts for longer commitments and non-profits.
• Human Service Transportation Brokerage Brokerage of human service transportation across Massachusetts through contracted private transportation providers, serving MassHealth, Department of Developmental Services, and other human service agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 25 area cities and towns in North Central Massachusetts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Human Service Transportation (HST) OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMART brokers human service transportation through the Massachusetts HST Office within EOHHS. Human service agencies represented include Office of Medicaid (MassHealth), Department of Developmental Services, Department of Public Health Early Intervention, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
• Over 200 Transportation ProviderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMART's Brokerage Transportation Division contracts with 200+ private transportation providers to perform human service transportation rides and special education routes. Providers collectively perform over 4 million trips annually.
• MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMART operates park-and-ride facilities along the MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail line, including Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center and Wachusett Station, providing integrated regional transit connections.
• Cities of Fitchburg and LeominstercoreOthersCities of Fitchburg and Leominster supplement costs for veterans shuttle service to VA centers and hospitals, enabling free transportation for veterans living in these communities.
• Fitchburg State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Route 4 shuttle service providing transportation between campus, downtown, and intermodal connections. Service runs every 10 minutes during academic year.
• Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoute 3 deviation service accommodates MWCC students, with shuttle connections to support access to community college classes and educational opportunities.
• Emerson HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmerson Hospital shuttle service providing transportation for patients and staff to Emerson Hospital facilities.
• Council on Aging ServicesminorOthersCouncil on Aging Service for elderly and disabled in all member communities, providing specialized transportation services for seniors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA): WRTA is another of Massachusetts' 15 Chapter 161B regional transit authorities, operating fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit in the Worcester region. It is the closest direct peer in scale, statutory structure, and service mix to MART.
• Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA): LRTA operates fixed-route bus and paratransit service in the Greater Lowell area under the same Chapter 161B statutory framework as MART. Comparable in regional scope, service offerings, and funding model.
• Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA): PVTA is the largest MA regional transit authority, operating fixed-route bus service across the Springfield metro area under Chapter 161B. Directly comparable governance, mission, and operational model, with broader geographic reach.
• Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA): MVRTA provides fixed-route bus and paratransit service in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts under Chapter 161B. Closely analogous service mix, statutory mandate, and member-community assessment funding model.
• Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA): GATRA operates fixed-route and demand-response transit in southeastern Massachusetts under the same Chapter 161B framework. Comparable in scale, service portfolio (fixed-route + paratransit + microtransit), and ADA compliance obligations.
• Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA): CCRTA provides fixed-route and seasonal transit service across Cape Cod under Chapter 161B. Comparable statutory authority, service types (fixed-route, paratransit, dialysis/medical trips), and dependence on state and federal funding.
• MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA): MWRTA operates the MetroWest area fixed-route bus and paratransit service under Chapter 161B. Comparable service mix, regulatory framework, and fare/discount structure.
• Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT): BAT provides fixed-route bus service and paratransit in the Brockton area of southeastern Massachusetts under Chapter 161B. Closely comparable operational scope and small-urban service profile.
• Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA): BRTA provides fixed-route bus and paratransit service in Berkshire County, Massachusetts under Chapter 161B. Comparable rural/small-urban service profile, statutory framework, and reliance on state operating assistance.

Broad incumbents

• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): MBTA is the statewide public transit operator serving Greater Boston and commuter rail lines — including the Fitchburg Line that MART connects to via four park-and-ride facilities. Larger scale and broader portfolio, but partially overlapping service area and customer base.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montachusett Regional Transit Authority