Massachusetts school transportation fund receives $5 million

Gov. Charlie Baker recently granted a $5 million investment in the Massachusetts Regional School Transportation Reimbursement Fund.

“Our communities depend on local aid for transportation and education and that support remains a top priority for our administration despite the budget deficit we inherited upon taking office,” Baker said. “We are proud to include in our budget proposal significant increases for education and are pleased to now take this step to support those districts that need it.”

The fund, which received the supplemental finances for 2015, supports student transportation for 85 regional school systems in the state.

“The Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS) is very appreciative of the Baker administration for providing $5 million for regional transportation during this fiscal year,” Stephen Hemman, MARS Executive Director, said. “The large 9(c) regional transportation cut by the previous administration has caused fiscal concerns within regions. This will help toward providing regions with funds that they were counting on receiving this year. We clearly understand what the Baker administration faced when they came into office and we say thank you for your efforts in providing these funds.”