Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s FY 2026 Transit Connectivity Grant Program improves transit connections across Regional Transit Authority or RTA service area boundaries, helping residents complete essential trips, including accessing medical care, when travel extends beyond individual RTA jurisdictions. MassDOT awarded $10 million through 10 awards covering 16 projects, seven of which facilitate connections across transit authority service areas. This included nearly $1.5 million in continuing funding for the Gateway Link, a partnership between three RTAs in southeastern Massachusetts to connect three lower income “Gateway” cities, facilitating access to key destinations such as a community college and a VA Medical Center that had long been out of reach for local residents. The Gateway Link launched in August 2025, offering 1,068 rides in its first month with ridership nearly quadrupling within the first six months. With the idea that better connectivity improves wellbeing, MassDOT helped riders benefit from improved access and time savings.