A recent study that examined office occupancy in downtown Worcester shows that the city continues to experience positive growth since the recession.

WORCESTER — Occupancy rates for downtown office space are on the rise, according to a report by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.

WORCESTER - Advocates for a fare-free Worcester bus system filled the City Council chamber Monday night to make their case.

In an unusual move, the city of Lawrence announced in September it would pay the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority $225,000 from its free cash reserves to operate three bus routes free of charge to riders for the next two years.

WORCESTER, MA — The movement to make Worcester Regional Transit Authority buses fare-free goes public on Monday as a City Council committee holds its first hearing on the idea. Activists acknowledge there's plenty of work left to be done, but say they are looking forward to showing how much support the movement has.

Candria Gray and her two children live in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they rely on city buses to get nearly everywhere: college classes, elementary school, the pediatrician’s office. By 2017, when the Worcester Regional Transit Authority raised fares from $1.50 per ride to $1.75, Gray was spending as much as $12 a day on transit — a good chunk of her budget as a single mom. And the increased fare was not accompanied by improved service. 

WORCESTER — Worcester Regional Transit Authority officials say the system will not go fare-free this fiscal year.

In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

WORCESTER - Advocates call it a "win-win-win," an economic development tool and an "absolute game changer."

WORCESTER - Advocates call it a “win-win-win,” an economic development tool and an “absolute game changer.”