NORTHAMPTON — Maura Healey, reflecting midway through her first term as governor, noted the many investments she is making in the state, such as access to free college and free school lunches and breakfasts, the results of which aren’t fully known as her agenda continues to take affect. But the report card is in on free-fare public transit as ridership in fiscal year 2024 in the state experienced an uptick by as many as 13 million since 2021, signaling a return to pre-pandemic numbers.

“Regional transit authorities play a critical role in our communities and our economy, helping people get to work, school, appointments and stores,” said Healey in a Dec. 13 statement celebrating that 15 regional transit authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts collectively surpassed 26.5 million rides in fiscal year 2024, up from 13.76 million rides in the state three years prior.

Over this period there has been incremental growth: in fiscal year 2022 ridership numbered at 18.77 million, and fiscal year 2023 at 22.5 million. Before the pandemic, ridership levels were at 30.1 million and 28.0 million in the years 2018 and 2019 respectively, according to data from the state Legislature.

Healey announced in October 2024 in Greenfield that $30 million of the state’s $58.7 billion fiscal year 2025 budget would be earmarked toward public transit, continuing funding following two years of successful pilot programs experimenting with fare-free transit opportunities.

The Healey administration attributes ridership increases in the previous four fiscal years partly to fare-free transit, but also cited expanded services the funding has allowed transit services to offer, such as weekend operation and increased availability on existing routes, as explanations for wider use.

“These numbers speak for themselves” stated Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, adding that “when we make public transportation more reliable and better connected, more riders will use it.”

Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger concurred, stating: “The numbers that we are seeing make it clear that, with the right approach and funding priorities, we can increase transportation ridership.”

Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt stated that this data also is reassuring since it translates to strides being taken toward depleting vehicle congestion.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com