Pressley Lauds Cambridge EZRide and Success of Fare-Free Transit, Renews Push for Freedom to Move Act

October 13, 2026 Pressley Lauds Cambridge EZRide and Success of Fare-Free Transit, Renews Push for Freedom to Move Act Rep. Pressley, Sen. Markey Lead the Freedom to Move Act , Federal Legislation to Enact Fare-Free Transit & Close Transit Equity Gap Video from Media Avail (YouTube) | Photos (Dropbox) CAMBRIDGE – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined the Charles River Transportation Management Association, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, local elected officials, and advocates for a roundtable discussion and ride on the EZRide shuttle—a fare-free shuttle service connecting Kendall Square, Cambridge neighborhoods, and North Station—to highlight the importance and success of fare-free transit. In Congress, Congresswoman Pressley co-leads the Freedom to Move Act alongside Senator Ed Markey, which would provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies to offer fare-free service and improve on existing transit service offerings. “Fare free transit is essential and it is time we invest in public transit as the public good that it is—and that is proof positive by the success of the EZRide shuttle in Cambridge,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “As Massachusetts fare-free systems continue to prove and as riders shared with me today, fare-free transit makes life more accessible, affordable, and safe for workers and families across the country. That’s why I’m fighting for national fare-free transit through our Freedom to Move Act and I’m grateful to Charles River Transportation Management Association, City of Cambridge, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, and community partners for making this a reality in the Massachusetts 7 th .” “Charles River Transportation Management Association and EZRide appreciates the opportunity today to present the EZRide model for providing fare-free open to the public last mile circulation transit in the corridor between North Station and Eastern Cambridge since 2002. The City of Cambridge committed to climate goals while redeveloping its post-industrial economic corridor along the Charles River, creating a framework for collaboration amongst public and private stakeholders to create an efficient, frequent, affordable transit designed to meet the needs of the riders.” – Charles River Transportation Management Association “The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is proud that the KSTEP Fund has been instrumental in launching the expansion of fare-free transit on the EZRide bus route,” said Tom Evans, Executive Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA). “This type of creative public-private partnership is vital to improve access to the innovation hub of Kendall Square for employees, neighbors and visitors from around the region.” “EZRide has become a leading example of how fare-free public transportation can be successfully delivered through collaboration and creative funding partnerships,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “By leveraging public investment alongside private and development-related contributions, the program has transformed individual commitments into broad community benefits. The result is a transportation service in Cambridge and Boston that expands opportunity, supports our climate goals, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates a scalable model for improving mobility for everyone.” Through the Kendall Square Transit Enhancement Program (KSTEP), administered by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) in partnership with the City of Cambridge and other public and private stakeholders, approximately $1 million has been committed to support the Charles River TMA, which operates EZRide, in delivering a two-year expansion of service and maintaining its fare-free operation. Photos from the event are available here and footage from the media availability following the event is available here . Congresswoman Pressley has long championed fare-free transit in Congress. In July 2025, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey re-introduced the Freedom to Move Act which would provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies to offer fare free service and improve on existing transit service offerings. The Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by: Establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems; Investing in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and Ensuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems. In August 2026, Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey released a new report detailing the success of fare-free transit in MA. The report, titled Making Transit Free, Frequent, and Reliable: Massachusetts shows the need for federal investment in fare-free transit , highlights the need for increased federal investments in fare-free transit. Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good. In July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers Freedom to Move Act . In March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act. In August 2022, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown. ### Back to News Next Article Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email