City Manager Appoints Councilor Gary Rosen to WRTA Advisory Board

WORCESTER- City Manager Ed Augustus has appointed City Councilor At-Large Gary Rosen to serve on the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Advisory Board.

Over the past year, Rosen has been an outspoken advocate for a fare-free bus system in Worcester.

Rosen will replace the City Manager’s chief of staff, Jacob Sanders, who served a four-year term. Rosen also serves as the chair of the Standing Committee on Public Service & Transportation.

“I’m excited about this appointment and I am looking forward to representing Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus on the WRTA’s Advisory Board,” said Councilor Rosen. “My goals include making our public transit system more reliable, accessible, affordable and feasible for use by students, seniors, city residents and visitors.”

The City’s senior transportation planner Brian Pigeon will serve as the first alternate. Sanders will serve as the second alternate.

“This appointment is an important step to ensure that the administration, the City Council and the WRTA are working together in a united effort on public transportation issues,” said Augustus.

Earlier this month, Councilor Rosen requested the City to adopt recommendations made by the Worcester Research Bureau for a fare-free bus system.

Rosen also requested the public service and transportation committee — of which he is chair of — to hold public hearings throughout the city to explore ideas brought forward in the Research Bureau’s report last year. 

“As in several other cities and towns across America, it is expected that such a change would significantly increase ridership, reliability and efficiency, among others,” Rosen wrote in his request. 

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