MA H3623

Establishes a minimum 1-year MBTA fare-free bus pilot program covering at least 10 priority bus routes, 10 routes with higher-than-average ridership during March-December 2020, and 3 routes connecting to commuter rail, subway, or bus depots

Requires all Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts to operate separate fare-free bus pilot programs for at least 1 year, including at least one high-ridership route from the March-December 2020 period

Creates a 10-member MBTA advisory group and a separate RTA advisory group to oversee the pilots, including representatives from transit agencies, advocacy organizations, disability community, and Environmental Justice municipalities

Mandates pilot programs begin no later than December 31, 2026, with formal findings presented every 6 months and a final report due within 3 months of pilot conclusion

Requires advisory groups to track metrics including ridership, equity impacts, on-time performance, cost savings versus fare revenue loss, fare evasion, and bus driver/rider incidents