Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority

This is a state audit report about the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, covering July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

“In accordance with Chapter 11, Section 12, of the Massachusetts General Laws, we have conducted an audit of certain activities of GATRA for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.”

The audit looked at whether GATRA properly controlled, monitored, and spent ARRA grant money.

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

GATRA provides bus and paratransit service across 26 communities, so public money for its vehicles, terminals, and maintenance affects local transportation service.

“GATRA was established to provide fixed-route bus service and paratransit service to 26 cities and towns located within the counties of Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk.”

For riders and residents, the grant money was meant to support vans, buses, terminal renovations, and vehicle maintenance.

“The grant funds are to be used for the following: (1) 10 Demand Response vans, 12 mini-buses, and four 30-foot transit buses; (2) renovations for the GATRA bus terminal and the Attleboro rail terminal; and (3) preventive maintenance on GATRA’s fleet of vehicles.”

The audit found GATRA’s controls were adequate and that it followed applicable requirements in the areas the auditors tested.

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

The report does not list corrective actions; it says some grant money had already been spent and more had been obligated for vehicle purchases.

“In addition to the funds expended from the ARRA grant, GATRA has also obligated $1,046,091 of the total funds awarded to them under the grant during fiscal year 2010.”

This was an $8.1 million federal transit grant, with $1.4 million received and spent by the end of the audit period.

“As of June 30, 2010 GATRA had received and expended ARRA funds totaling $1,435,505.”

ARRA means American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and in this report it refers to the federal grant money GATRA received and spent.

“During our audit period, GATRA received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant totaling $8,058,795, which included an amendment in the amount of $732,618 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).”