Worcester, MA – The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is excited to announce the celebration of its 50th Anniversary, marking five decades of providing reliable, accessible, and affordable transportation services to 37 communities in Central Massachusetts.
WRTA will host two special events on Thursday, September 26, 2024 to commemorate this significant milestone. The first celebration, exclusively for Advisory Board members and invited guests, will take place at the WRTA Maintenance & Operations Facility at 11:00a.m. Later in the day, a Rider Appreciation Event will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the WRTA Central Hub, located at 60 Foster Street.
The 50th Anniversary celebration will feature remarks from local officials, transportation leaders, and community advocates. Keynote speakers will reflect on WRTA’s evolution from its founding in 1974 to becoming the central transportation network in the region. The events will also showcase a special 1974-themed wrapped bus, celebrating WRTA’s history and contributions to the community.
As part of the 50th Anniversary festivities, WRTA invites the community to a Rider Appreciation Event at the Central Hub. The event will include a tour of the 50th Anniversary themed bus, giveaways, and opportunities for riders to engage directly with WRTA staff. This celebration highlights the critical role riders have played in WRTA’s growth and success over the years.
Since its incorporation in 1974, WRTA has been instrumental in connecting Central Massachusetts residents to jobs, schools, medical facilities, and essential services. Over the last 50 years, WRTA has grown into a vital network that serves thousands of riders daily. The organization has continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community and remains committed to improving service quality.
As WRTA looks toward the future, it will continue to embrace technological advancements, enhance service offerings, and promote more sustainable transit solutions.
“These events are about saying ‘thank you’ to our riders, contractors, members of our Advisory Board and community partners,” said Administrator Josh Rickman. “For 50 years, they have been the driving force behind everything we do. They are all at the heart of our operations, and this anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate their continued trust and support.”
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The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is a regional transit system that services the City of Worcester and the surrounding 36 communities in the Central Massachusetts area with a bus fleet that includes diesel-electric hybrid buses, and clean-diesel buses. The second largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts, the WRTA offers reliable, comfortable, and safe transportation for traveling to work, shopping, school, medical appointments, and leisure activities. The WRTA also provides paratransit service for the elderly and disabled, as well as a variety of special services for those groups in the entire service area. All fixed routes and paratransit services are free through June 2025.