5/28/2013
Contact: Angela Gates
202-366-3669

WORCESTER, Mass. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) applauded today’s opening of the new Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Union Station Bus Hub, a state-of-the-art facility that will improve transportation connections at the city’s historic Union Station and link transit riders to numerous destinations throughout Central Massachusetts, New England and the Northeast Corridor. FTA Deputy Regional Administrator Peter Butler joined state and local officials at the event.

“President Obama is committed to modernizing our nation’s transportation infrastructure and bringing more transportation choices to more Americans,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who visited the project last year. “This investment in Worcester will ensure that transit riders have convenient and reliable access to 21st century transportation services for years to come.”

The WRTA Transportation Hub replaces the transit agency’s administrative office and transfer center, previously located several blocks away, with a brand new facility at Union Station. The new hub offers riders a direct connection to other transportation services, including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail to Boston, Amtrak, and intercity bus service.

“Worcester’s new transportation hub is a huge win for transit riders, offering a seamless connection between bus and rail service in New England’s second largest city after Boston,” said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. “With the addition of WRTA bus service at Union Station, hard-working families, students and other riders will have even more options for getting to work, school, medical appointments and elsewhere in Central Massachusetts and beyond.”

The 14,000 square foot facility includes eight bus bays to accommodate the more than 200 WRTA buses that service the station each day. A new passenger waiting area is also part of the facility. WRTA provides transit service for more than 14,000 riders on an average weekday and 3.5 million riders per year.

FTA provided $15.9 million toward the $16.3 million project, with the state covering the remainder.