Section 64 RTA Operating Assistance

Section 23 of chapter 161B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the first and second paragraphs and inserting in place thereof the following 2 paragraphs:-

The commonwealth, acting by and through the executive office for administration and finance, shall provide funding to the authorities created pursuant to this chapter as determined by a formula that is based upon clearly established metrics and principles, that all the authorities have agreed to in writing, and that the department has approved.

The funding amounts to be distributed to the authorities will be determined upon final adoption of the state fiscal year appropriation. Such amount, not to be assessed in accordance with section 9 and section 9A, shall be called operating assistance. Such operating assistance shall be provided by the commonwealth and shall be overseen by the department.

This section replaces the current structure of contract assistance for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) with a system whereby the funding amount is based on clearly established metrics and principles agreed to between the RTAs and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.