WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) board this week will discuss whether to keep bus fares free — a policy that has almost universal support from elected officials in Worcester.

MILFORD, MA — Welcome to the Oct. 4 edition of Monday Manual, where we highlight important events coming up during the week (plus a local fact) in seven Patch communities between Framingham and Worcester.

WORCESTER, MA — Thousands of Worcester Public Schools (WPS) students returned to classrooms full-time on Monday for the first time in a year, but a new report shows demographic gaps between those students and students who will continue with remote learning.

WORCESTER, MA — A pandemic-era policy of not collecting bus fares in the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) system will remain in place, but agency leaders are looking forward to collecting fares soon due to budget concerns.

WORCESTER, MA — The region’s bus commuters will find out Thursday if the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) will begin collecting fares again.

WORCESTER, MA — A group advocating to eliminate fares on WRTA buses will host a forum this month featuring elected leaders from across the state, marking the reemergence of a movement sidetracked by the coronavirus pandemic.

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester should be a little more like neighboring Shrewsbury, at least when it comes to internet service.

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.

A Worcester Councilor wants to study making WRTA bus service fare-free, an idea that is gaining traction among transit activists in cities across the U.S. In Worcester, the idea has been talked about for months, and even has support from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.