GREENFIELD — Gov. Maura Healey joined local and state officials outside the Franklin Regional Transit Authority’s (FRTA) offices Thursday afternoon to celebrate her administration’s $30 million earmark to fund year-round, fare-free transportation across 13 Regional Transit Authorities in Massachusetts.

Although FRTA has waived its fees since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the fiscal year 2025 budget earmark provided more than $200,000 to allow it to continue being fare-free.

“We are able to, as a state, confidently invest in this work because of the confidence that we had in our RTAs. You’ve seen the positive impact that affordability has on riders and the communities that you serve and that’s why public transit is such a priority,” Healey said. “It supports our economy, it’s good for the environment and helps us reach our climate goals. It connects folks to school, to jobs, to groceries, to doctor’s appointments, to everything they need to do.”

FRTA Administrator Tina Cote also spoke to the importance of equitable transit, announcing that in November, FRTA will extend its fare-free operation to include Demand Response services for the elderly or residents with disabilities.

Local delegation members state Sen. Jo Comerford and state Rep. Natalie Blais also spoke in support of the governor’s efforts toward free and equitable transportation.

Comerford noted that the fare-free transit initiative, combined with the state’s $117.5 million investment in the MassEducate program that made Massachusetts community colleges tuition-free, will allow students in more rural communities such as Greenfield to study at and travel to Greenfield Community College for free.

“We [in rural Massachusetts] struggle with population decline, we struggle with getting workers to jobs, we struggle with getting elders to medical appointments, we struggle with getting students to classes,” Comerford said. “This is a step in that direction of closing those gaps, so that workers can get to their second and third shifts, so that elders can live here and age gracefully, so that young families can move and know that their kids can get to school, and perhaps great community college at Greenfield Community College.”

Blais echoed Comerford’s comments, noting that in rural communities, access to food, work or health care is challenging to those without a vehicle.

After inviting state officials to continue exploring the city after the event, Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher thanked the Healey administration for partnering with the city to prioritize equitable transportation.

“I want to thank Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and their talented team for the work they have accomplished,” Desorgher said. “Whether it’s aiding with extreme weather emergencies or visiting to discuss regional priorities, they have been both very attentive to the needs of Greenfield and Franklin County. This administration continues to prioritize regional equity for all of Massachusetts and we are so very grateful for it.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.