Brockton Area Transit Authority

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor report about Brockton Area Transit Authority, the public transit agency serving Brockton and nearby communities.

“The Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT) was established in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws.”

Auditors looked at how BAT handled American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, including whether the money was monitored properly and spent as intended.

“The objectives of our audit were to review BAT’s controls over and monitoring of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds received and expended.”

The report matters because BAT received more than $4.2 million in federal grant money for buses, tracking equipment, tools, and hybrid-bus engines.

“During our audit period, BAT received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant totaling $4,240,885, which included an amendment in the amount of $385,309 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).”

For residents, the money was tied to transit improvements, including new buses and GPS tracking systems for buses.

“The grant funds are to be used for the following: (1) five transit buses, including three that are hybrid-electric powered, and one 30-foot cutaway bus; (2) GPS locator and tracking system for 35 buses; and (3) tools and replacement engines for the hybrid buses.”

The auditors did not report problems in the areas they tested; they concluded BAT followed the rules for the reviewed funds.

“As of September 30, 2010 BAT received and expended ARRA funds totaling $682,987 which BAT expended in compliance with the requirements set forth in the grant agreement.”

The report does not list corrective actions; it notes that most of the grant money had already been committed for use.

“In addition to the funds expended from the ARRA grant, BAT has also obligated $3,557,600 of the total funds awarded to them under the grant.”

This was a clean result for the tested areas: the auditor found adequate controls and compliance during the 15-month audit period.

“Based on our review, we have concluded that, during the 15-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Authority maintained adequate management controls and complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations for the areas tested.”

ARRA means federal stimulus funding, and FTA means the Federal Transit Administration, the federal agency connected to this transit grant.

“During our audit period, BAT received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant totaling $4,240,885, which included an amendment in the amount of $385,309 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).”