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You are here: HOME > TRANSPORTATION > Transportation Services > Public Transportation Planning

Public Transportation Planning

Worcester Regional Transit Authority 
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is the single most important provider of fixed-route and paratransit services in Central Massachusetts. The WRTA provides service on 23 weekday fixed-routes serving the City of Worcester and eleven (11) surrounding communities. Service extends as far out as Brookfield in the east (18 miles from Downtown Worcester) and Webster in the south (20 miles). In addition, the WRTA also provides paratransit service in Worcester.

The WRTA contracts with 10 Councils on Aging and one private non-profit agency to provide additional paratransit service to the other 36 communities. Due to the dominance of fixed route service offered in Worcester, the entire city has been blanketed with ADA level paratransit service. Outside Worcester, ADA level service is offered within a ¾ mile buffer within the hours and days of fixed route service but additional non-ADA level paratransit service is offered by the local Councils on Aging. This additional service operates weekdays, typically 8:00am-4:00pm and provides an important local service to elders and persons with disabilities in the towns who are typically more transit-dependent.

CMRPC partcipates in the South Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) which is made up of transit providers and human service providers. Together these groups work together to address and improve transportation options in the region. The Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan was prepared with input from the RCC and other transit related groups. It identifies gaps and needs in the region and progress made during the past few years to address the identified issues.

Since 1975, CMRPC staff has provided transit planning and data analysis services to the WRTA.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The MBTA provides commuter rail service between Worcester's Union Station and Boston's South Station via the Framingham/Worcester Line. Commuter rail service to the CMRPC region is currently available seven days a week. Service can be accessed from Worcester’s Union Station, Grafton Station (Pine Street and Route 30) and Westborough Station (Smith Parkway).

Peter Pan/Greyhound

Peter Pan Bus Line and Greyhound Lines, Inc. are the two major intercity bus carriers providing service in the region. Based out of Worcester's Union Station, passengers may travel to cities in Massachusetts, New England, and beyond. 
 
Amtrak
Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states on 21,000 miles of routes, with approximately 19,000 employees. In Massachusetts, Amtrak operates approximately 56 trains daily, including the Acela Express and Regional trains on the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak also operates shorter-distance trains through Massachusetts, including The Downeaster (daily Boston - Portland, Maine), The Vermonter (daily Washington, DC - St. Albans, Vermont), and The Lake Shore Limited (daily Boston – Chicago). Worcester’s Union Station is served by The Lake Shore Limited.

Sujatha Krishnan
Program Manager
(508) 459-3335
Resources & Documents
  • WRTA Bustracker
  • WRTA Hub at Union Station
  • Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities
  • Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan May 2019
  • 2022 WRTA Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP)
  • 2022 WRTA Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan


Transit Providers
  • Worcester Regional Transit Authority
  • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
  • Peter Pan Bus
  • Greyhound Bus
  • Amtrak
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
One Mercantile Street, Suite 520
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone 508.756.7717 Fax 508.792.6818
 
The CMRPC and the CMMPO fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.  Any person who believes himself/herself or any specific class of persons have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI or related statutes or regulations may, himself/herself or via a representative, file a complaint with CMRPC or the CMMPO. Click here for more information.
 
CMRPC Records Access Officer: Connor Robichaud, One Mercantile Street, Suite 520, Worcester, MA 01608; Email: rao@cmrpc.org 
The CMRPC complies with M.G.L. c. 66 and 950 CMR 32.00. Click here to access our Public Records Request Guidelines.
 
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