The Health Foundation of Central Mass

63 grantees and key community-based orga- nizations to support them during those unparalleled times. e Coalition used this funding to provide stipends to commu- nity organizers and volunteers, purchase supplies, and cover indirect costs. e WRTA Advisory Board subsequent- ly extended fare-free service in September 2020; January 2021; and May 2021. When the suspension was about to expire in May 2021, the Coalition ramped up its efforts and succeeded in securing another extension, initially to June 2023 and then to June 2024. In April 2024, the Advisory Board extended the fare suspension until June 2025. roughout the multiple extensions of the suspension of fares, e Health Foun- dation provided steadfast support to this grassroots initiative. While the funding – in April 2020 and subsequent funding of $5,000 to provide matching funds for a Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) grant – was modest, e Health Founda- tion offered strategic guidance and support behind the scenes, attended Coalition, City Council, and WRTA Advisory Board meetings, and solicited support from other community-based organizations. In addition, in support of the Coalition's efforts, e Health Foundation leadership wrote opinion pieces and letters to the editor, which were published in media outlets including e Boston Globe, Com- monWealth Beacon, and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and participated in a rally in downtown Worcester. e Health Foun- dation encouraged the WRTA Advisory Board to consider the fare suspension as a pilot and include the test results in its five-year strategic plan, in September 2020. e Health Foundation hoped to create a transportation system that would benefit all residents, particularly low-in- come residents, lessen traffic congestion, and reduce air pollution. More impor- tantly, e Health Foundation viewed a fare-free public transportation system as a model for other regions. In a letter to the WRTA, the Coalition urged the advisory board to use $3.2 million out of the $27 million remaining from the 2020 Coro- navirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- nomic Security (CARES) Act to offer relief to riders at the farebox, boost the economy, and protect the environment during the ongoing pandemic. An October 2021 brief from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston added further credence to the concept of eliminating fares. e report said that out of 34 bus systems in New England, the WRTA had lost the fewest number of riders – 80% – in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. Statistics from the National Transit Database showed that the WRTA reached 140% of its 2019 pre-pandemic values for ridership. e second-best performer was Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in June 2022 with 90.5% of its 2019 values. At its April 2024 meeting, the WRTA Advisory Board voted unanimously to continue the suspension of fare collec- tion through June 2025, buttressing the WRTA's reputation as the longest running RTA in the state and one of the longest running regional transit agencies in the country. Federal, state and local officials have celebrated the Coalition's successes and held up the fare-free WRTA as a mod- el for others. n TELEGRAM.COM | TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021 | 5A them than COVID-19. "Aside from the working out part, the mental health is the biggest part of all of it," Blondin said. "People like to work out. People like to release all those en- dorphins. I watch my clients rsthand, I meet with a 100-plus clients in person a week. And to watch these people's men- tal health decline was just not a good thing from all over the place." In a Facebook video announcing the reopening, Blondin said that the gym would be open to members only and he called on all the gyms in Massachusetts to also reopen. "Start opening your doors, we're all in this together," Blondin said in the video. "If Walmart, that's right down the street, can sit there and have 356 cars in there — then we can work out." Blondin also insisted that members should not wear a mask while working out. He said he fears that it would be a risk to their breath circulation. Masks are recommended, but are not required at the gym and the policy has been in place since May, Blondin said. On the anniversary of Blondin's deci- sion, he said business at the gym is "the best that it's ever been," and that it has nearly doubled from last year. The gym has been doing well in monthly memberships, nutritional con- sulting, personal training and at its nu- trition store. Personally, he said he thinks he is the happiest he has ever been in his life. "People enjoy freedom. People enjoy being able to be normal, being able to walk in here without restrictions and be a normal person. I think it's gone greatly for people," Blondin said. Blondin's rst responders and members of the community at large face if the town's cease and desist order is not enforced." Sullivan also found that the town's action was in keeping with a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found that the Constitution leaves health and safe- ty concerns to the states. In the midst of Blondin's and other challenges to Baker's order, a half-dozen constitutional law experts surveyed by the Telegram & Gazette said the state was on solid ground with its order. Blondin found in contempt, ned $1,000 a day gym stayed open On June 16, Sullivan found Blondin in contempt and ordered the gym to pay an $1,000 ne each day it stays open as well as pay the town's legal and enforcement fees. The town was also ordered by Sulli- van to shut down the gym by any means necessary. Locks on the doors were changed to prevent Blondin from re- opening the gym, and the town cut o" water and electrical service. Blondin said he lost thousands of dollars in inventory, one of his freezers broke, a power surge went through the building and the water shuto" created a terrible smell. The lack of heat and ven- tilation also ruined the gym's ¡oor, Blondin said. He said this forced shut- down lasted about 10 days. "You want to talk getting people sick, then leave shrimp in a freezer for 20 days and see how that goes," Blondin said. The shutdown was an unnecessary overstep by the town, Blondin said. "They're trying to make an example out of me. They're trying to prove a point. But that was just crossing the line," Blondin said. have been tracked to his gym. While customers have come down with the coronavirus, Blondin said they stayed away from the gym while sick. He said he will not allow health inspectors to come into his gym without a warrant. While he said he received many threatening phone calls and messages over the course of the year, Blondin said he did not let those threats frighten him. Blondin said his customers were happy to come to the gym while it re- mained open and he thinks the other small business owners saw a model of resistance in his case. Oxford officials need to 'get off their high horse' On Oxford o¥cials, Blondin said that they need to "get o" their high horse." He added that the o¥cials are not re- sponding to the needs of taxpayers, such as calls for road repair. "They work for us. If it wasn't for us and businesses and taxes, they wouldn't be getting paid," Blondin said. The year left Blondin feeling embold- ened about his opinion of the govern- ment. "The entire government is corrupt. I always knew that it was from the start, but everything from the state level to all the up to the United States, it's all cor- rupt," Blondin said. "We're supposed to be in charge as citizens. There's way more of us than there is of government." In the near future, Blondin said he believes the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the results of the presi- dential election, where he said Demo- crats did anything they could to "cheat," will expose the corruption in govern- ment to many. Before conditions improve Drug Administration, do not have full FDA approval. He also took umbrage with o"ers of free desserts or food for people who got vaccinated. "The way that they're handling things with bribing people with money or free food from McDonalds and free food with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, this isn't about health," Blondin said. "If this was about health, then they would be pushing people to get healthy. But you don't bribe people with money and fast food and think that getting a vaccine is going to x the problem." However, Blondin said he is not against vaccines and said he welcomes vaccinated people to the gym. He added that he is in favor of people making their own decisions. A countersuit Blondin's legal team led on July 21 named Oxford, Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Commissioner of the state Department of Public Health Dr. Monica Bharel and the state as defen- dants. The suit requests a trial by jury alleging damages to be paid for the state's seizure of Blondin's gym under the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 and the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Consti- tution. Blondin laid particular blame on Bak- er for his handling of the pandemic. "If anybody thinks he is a good gover- nor, then they really need to see what he's actually doing," Blondin said. "I really hope that he has a hard time sleeping at night with what he has done to the state and how he has corrupted so many businesses and jobs. It's sad to see a human being can actually act like that." The case remains in the Worcester Superior Court, with Attorney General Maura Healey serving Gym Continued from Page 1A Members of the Zero Fare Coalition rallied outside the Worcester Regional Transit Authority Hub Monday in sup- port of using millions in federal relief funds to continue free bus service for another year. "The money is there," Brenna Robe- son, co-chair of the Zero Fare Coalition, said at the rally, citing $33 million in un- spent Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Eco- nomic Security Act money that the WRTA has in its co"ers. It was a refrain of many who spoke at the event attended by dozens. "Why don't the members of the advi- sory board listen to the riders?" Lynn Norris, a WRTA rider asked. "We need zero fare. We have the funds; use it ap- propriately." The Worcester Regional Research Bureau advocated for a fare-free WRTA in a May 2019 report, and the idea quick- ly gained traction in the city as a way to boost the transit authority's ridership, make the system more economically and socially equitable, and help the en- vironment. But it took the coronavirus to imple- ment the change. The WRTA suspended fares in March 2020 and instituted rear-door boarding to ease congestion and allow greater so- cial distancing. It also substantially reduced service as ridership plummeted while people stayed home. But while service returned to its pre- pandemic level this September, rider- ship has not...although at nearly 65% of peak in February it was higher at the WRTA than at other transit agencies and the MBTA. And while fare collection remains suspended, the WRTA is using part of the $37.2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Re- lief, and Economic Security it received to make up for the roughly $3 million to $4 million in fare revenue that the sys- tem anticipated it would collect this s- cal year. Now the debate is over what to do with the rest of the CARES money, as well as $6 million in American Rescue Plan funds allocated to the transit au- thority. WRTA Administrator Dennis Lipka has advocated that the transit authority use the money to provide stable funding over six years and to improve service. At its April meeting, the advisory board approved a $28 million Fiscal 2022 budget that included fare income and ended fare-free service as of June 30. Fare Free service advocates gathered Monday afternoon to urge board mem- bers to reconsider when the board meets again on Thursday; emphasizing the economic, social and environmental bene ts of free bus service. Lipka also on Thursday plans to pre- sent a list of service improvements for the upcoming year, which zero fare ad- vocates hope will include fare-free ser- vice. "Hopefully they will reconsider the budget for next year and hopefully they will use the $33 million they have al- ready in pandemic relief and use it for relief of essential workers," Jan Yost, president and CEO of The Health Foun- dation of Central Massachusetts, said. Several riders at the event talked about their own experiences struggling to pay for WRTA service on which they were dependent. "If we don't go to work, people die," Terrie Cherry, a personal care assistant who depends on the bus for work, said. Nelly Medina told the crowd she used to spend 20% of her income to ride the bus for the four years she commuted to college. Meanwhile, rider Adam Thielker stressed progressive social bene ts of free service. "How many times have you heard good news coming out of Worcester?," Thielker asked the crowd, noting that the fare-free experiment has generated national attention from progressive leaders, the press and has been "shak- ing things up." He dismissed concerns that the homeless, teens and the poor would abuse the service as "unfounded fears." He also dismissed concerns that free service could cost the WRTA more mon- ey by necessitating additional buses and drivers to accommodate more rid- ers. In doing so, he used a familiar re- frain. "Where will they get the money? They've got the money," Thielker said. "The money is there for zero fares." WRTA called on to keep free fares Rally held outside transit authority hub location Cyrus Moulton Worcester Telegram & Gazette USA TODAY NETWORK Jan Yost, president of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, leads a march to the hub for a "fare free WRTA" Monday. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE PETERSON/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE The group crosses the road leading to the hub as they march to the hub for a "fare free WRTA" Monday. TRANSPORTATION WRTA vote: Free bus rides in Worcester to continue into 2025 Marco Cartolano, Worcester Telegram & Gazette April 18, 2024 WORCESTER — The free rides will continue. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board voted unanimously Thursday to keep fares free as part of the authority's budget for the next fiscal year, through June 2025. WRTA buses are now budgeted as free for a fifth year, dating to the start of COVID-19. "We are thrilled that the WRTA Board has voted to continue free-fare service. Today, ridership is higher than pre-pandemic levels and higher than it's ever been. With the extension of the program, families and residents in WRTA service areas will continue to have access to affordable transit," Deb Cary of the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Zero Fare Worcester Coalition said in a statement. "Free-fares reduces greenhouse gas emissions by getting people out of cars onto public transit. This is an initiative that addresses the environment and equity." Meantime, the authority is reporting increased ridership. The WRTA Advisory Board approved a fiscal 2025 budget of $37,250,134. The advisory board allocated $4,533,426 in remaining funding from the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator Edward Markey, Zero Fare Coalition celebration, 2024

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