The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) is a regional public transit authority in the state of Massachusetts providing bus and paratransit service to sixteen municipalities in the BostonMetroWest. The MWRTA was formed in 2006 and began service on July 1, 2007, with the purpose of filling a void in public transportation service in the MetroWest. Funding for the MWRTA comes partially from the state and local governments of the communities it operates within.[2]
A route 4N bus at the "Banana Lot" next to Framingham station in 2025A MassBay Riverside shuttle at Riverside station in 2025The MWRTA Blandin Avenue hub in Framingham
Routes
As of 2025[update], the MWRTA operates 16 fixed routes that provide all-day service. Most operate seven days a week; routes 6, 10, 15, and the MassBay shuttles do not operate on weekends.[3]
Route 9: Route 9 from the Natick Mall to Staples Corporate Offices
Route 10: Natick Counter Clockwise Route
Route 11: Natick Clockwise Route
Route 14: Milford Route
Route 15: Hudson Route
MBC Shuttle
MassBay Riverside
As of 2025[update], the MWRTA operates 3 commuter shuttles that run Monday–Friday at peak hours, plus two hospital shuttles with limited Tuesday–Thursday service.[4]
Framingham Natick Wellesley Boston Hospital Shuttle
Sudbury Wayland Boston Hospital Shuttle
Paratransit
Per the ADA requirements, the MWRTA must provide paratransit service as a curb-to-curb service to eligible residents having a physical, cognitive, or mental disability within a 3/4mile radius of a fixed route regular bus service. In addition, MWRTA paratransit service is also provided to eligible residents within any of its sixteen member communities. The MWRTA also provides paratransit service to MWRTA service area border towns at an increased fare.[5]
MicroTransit
In 2021, MWRTA launched a new MicroTransit service called Catch Connect, in coordination with MWRTA's mobile app, Catch. Catch Connect was launched in the Town of Wellesley in February 2021, alongside the existing Fixed Route 8. In March the Route 8 was removed from service and replaced entirely with Catch Connect. The MicroTransit service parameters include the entire Town of Wellesley, as well as the Woodland and Waban MBTA Green Line Stations, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Natick Community Center. The MBTA Stations and Natick COA served as connecting points to the MBTA, and to MWRTA's Fixed Routes 10 and 11.
In July 2021, using MassDOT Discretionary Funding, MWRTA launched Catch Connect service in Framingham and Natick on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 AM - 6PM. The service area includes Downtown Framingham, Downtown Natick, and the Route 9 Golden Triangle retail area.
In June 2022, with funded by ARPA Grants and aided by Representative Kate Hogan, MWRTA launched Catch Connect service in Hudson, MA on Saturday's from 8 AM - 6PM. MWRTA's Route 15 began service in Hudson in 2016 and had increased continuously in ridership over the years. The new CC service provides Hudson and Marlborough residents flexible Saturday service. The service area includes the entire Town of Hudson, and a small portion of Downtown Marlborough to connect riders to the existing Routes 7 and 7C Saturday.
Riders of the Catch Connect service are able to book their trips directly through the MWRTA Catch App. If riders do not have access to a smartphone they can call the MWRTA Central Reservations department to have a representative book the trip for them. The Catch Connect service is a shared-ride service open to the public, and uses fully accessible Ford Transit Vans and Ford cutaway 12 passenger vehicles.
History
In 2006, an Economic Stimulus Bill passed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts included legislation pushed by Karen Spilka and other MetroWest area legislators.[6] The legislation opened the possibility of a new Regional Transit Authority to be formed in the MetroWest region. The legislation states that any community providing an annual assessment to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) but not served directly by the MBTA may form their own Regional Transit Authority (RTA) using that funding instead.[7]
Under the advisement of the legislation, the MWRTA was created in Framingham with the neighboring communities of Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Ashland, and Wayland. At the time, Framingham had its own community bus system called The LIFT (Local Inter Framingham Transit).The newly formed MWRTA was based on The LIFT. With this system, the communities of the MWRTA would have a basis for their new RTA.[8]
As part of the growth of the MWRTA and due to Natick joining the system, Natick's own Neighborhood Bus system was incorporated into the MWRTA in the summer of 2008.[9] Prior to the creation of the MWRTA, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provided part of its paratransit service, called The Ride to Framingham and Natick. On July 1, 2009, administration of paratransit service to Framingham and Natick switched from the MBTA to MWRTA in alignment with the change in assessments paid to the MWRTA by those communities rather than to the MBTA.[5]
The MWRTA acquired larger 29 ft transit buses in 2025 for use on route 4N, the system's busiest route.[10][11]
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