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A Business-led Solution to Regional Transportation Challenges

North Central Massachusetts businesses and communities are tackling one of our region's biggest economic challenges: connecting qualified workers with job opportunities through innovative transportation solutions.

What We Are

A Transportation Management Association (TMA) is a membership-based, public–private partnership that unites employers, property owners, institutions, municipalities, and stakeholders to expand and promote transportation options in a region. It’s a regional cooperative dedicated to solving real-world business, workforce, and mobility challenges with innovative solutions.

Evidence-Based Approach

The North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA is built on research and community input. Multiple independent studies—including a Chamber-commissioned workforce study and decade-long Community Health Assessments (CHNA9)—all identified transportation as a top barrier to employment, healthcare, and education.

The Core Challenge:

Outside of communities with commuter rail or transit hubs, public transportation alone isn’t a viable option. MART and the MBTA commuter rail both provide excellent inter-regional connectivity, the “ first mile/last mile” gap between home and transit and stops and actual workplaces prevents many qualified workers from accessing jobs.

Why Transportation Matters

For Business

Expand your talent pool – access workers previously unable to reach your location
Reduce turnover – minimize transportation-related employee attrition
Boost recruitment – offer transportation support as a competitive benefit
Lower costs – share transportation resources with other employers
Increase productivity – reduce absenteeism and weather-related staffing issues

Regional Challenges

Workforce participation limited by lack of transit access
“First mile” gaps between home and transit connections
“Last mile” gaps between transit stops and job sites
Rural geography limits public transit viability
Transportation constraints hinder economic growth

Proven Model

Statewide Success: TMAs operate successfully across Massachusetts (Route 128, Middlesex 3, Cambridge, Greater Boston, Watertown, Neponset Valley).
Local Success: The Devens Shuttle (launched 2017) demonstrated regional demand and inspired the TMA model.
Professional Management: Operated by TransAction Associates, with 33+ years of experience running TMAs statewide.
Community Support: Strong backing from healthcare, education, municipalities, and businesses.

Join the North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA

The North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA is actively growing our membership. Join leading employers, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and municipalities who are solving regional transportation challenges together. As a member, you’ll gain access to transportation resources, collaborative solutions, and expert support that no single employer could achieve alone.

Founding Members

Healthcare: CHNA9, Heywood Healthcare, HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital
Education: Mount Wachusett Community College
Economic Development: Devens Enterprise Commission, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Transportation: MART

What Our Partners Are Saying

Healthcare:
“Transportation solutions benefit not just our workforce, but the entire community we serve.”
— Rozanna Penney, President & CEO, Heywood Healthcare

Education:
“The TMA will help students access both education and the career opportunities that follow.”
— Jason Zelesky, VP Student Affairs, Mount Wachusett Community College

Economic Development:
“Businesses collaborating with government can solve challenges no single employer can tackle alone.”
— Neil Angus, Director, Devens Enterprise Commission

Services & Programs

Year 1 Services

Ridesharing Platform – trip planning, carpool matching, vanpool formation, emissions reduction tracking
Emergency Ride Home – guaranteed transportation for qualified participants
Transit Promotion – expand MART ridership and awareness
Employer Support – customized transportation planning assistance

Future Programs

Targeted shuttle services

Vanpool coordination
Off-hours service for shift workers
First/last mile connections to jobs

Member Benefits

Access to all TMA services
Collaborative problem-solving
Transportation planning support
Voice in TMA governance
Grant funding opportunities
Networking with regional partners

Get in Touch

Professional Management

TransAction Associates – 33+ years managing TMAs statewide
Contact: Julie Quinn
Email:

Leadership

Board Chair: Tricia Pistone, AVP External Affairs, HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital
President: Roy Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Founding Members: Major healthcare systems, educational institutions, economic development organizations, and regional employers

Chamber Partnership

Hosted by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Operates with independent governance, board, budget, and membership

© 2025 North Central Massachusetts Rides Transportation Management Association
A partnership with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce

NorthCentralMass_chamber_map_For the Cover

MISSION STATEMENT

Advance the economic development of North Central Massachusetts by creating and sustaining relationships among businesses and between businesses and the community.

VISION

Make North Central Massachusetts the best region in the state to live, work, raise a family or build a business by strengthening communities and improving our quality of life.