Audit of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

This is a state performance audit of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, covering July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017.”

Auditors checked vehicle maintenance, disability-accessible transportation equipment, use of agency vehicles that do not carry passengers, and whether MART shared financial records as required.

“We also examined MART’s use of its non-revenue-producing vehicles, as well as its compliance with the General Laws regarding providing its financial records to the Secretary of Administration and Finance for public disclosure.”

When financial records are not submitted for public posting, residents have less ability to see how a public transit agency spends money and how financially healthy it is.

“Therefore, MART did not allow the Commonwealth to give the public a sufficient level of transparency regarding MART’s operations, including its overall financial health and the nature and extent of its expenses.”

For residents, this matters because MART runs public transportation and special transportation services for communities, older adults, disabled residents, students, veterans, and others.

“MART provides several transportation options to assist elderly and disabled community residents, including transit services for member communities’ councils on aging and human service agencies as well as shared-ride services for disabled residents.”

Auditors found MART’s preventive maintenance records met the audit objective, but MART fell short on public financial reporting and tracking use of non-passenger vehicles.

“Did MART submit all required financial records to the Commonwealth for inclusion on the Commonwealth’s searchable website as required by Section 14C of Chapter 7 of the General Laws?”

MART said it would work on getting its data onto the state website process and update vehicle-use policies and monitoring.

“MART will update its current policy and procedures to address all RTA and Operating Company employees following the vehicle use policy and procedure.”

The audit is significant because MART handles large public transportation operations and funding, including more than $144 million in operating funding in fiscal year 2016 and nearly $160 million in fiscal year 2017.

“In fiscal years 2016 and 2017, MART received revenue from a variety of sources, including fares from riders and assistance from various federal, state, and local sources.”