Bill > S1707

This bill aims to increase public input and representation in public transit decisions by amending existing laws. Specifically, it mandates that at least one director on transit boards must be a regular public transit rider (making at least 100 trips per year) who is not employed by the state, and at least one director must be a labor union representative nominated by the Massachusetts State AFL-CIO. Furthermore, all transit authority meetings will now be required to provide ample opportunity for public comment. The bill also expands the composition of advisory boards for transit authorities, ensuring representation from the disabled commuter population and adding voting members who are regular transit riders, with a specific focus on transit-dependent individuals. Labor union representatives will also be appointed to these advisory boards. Finally, the bill requires each transit authority to conduct a community-led service assessment, involving public input and consultation with regional planning agencies, to better align services with demand and state policies, with the results to be reported to the Department of Transportation and the legislature. It also mandates a study on the feasibility of establishing facilities for mass transit vehicle maintenance and manufacturing within the Commonwealth.