Transportation

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority will receive $5 million in federal funding to support operations during the coronavirus pandemic, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) announced in a Tuesday press release.

The U.S. Department of Transportation denied JetBlue's request to suspend service at Worcester Regional Airport, according to a Thursday filing, citing accommodations already made to meet industry economic concerns and community needs.

From the time the new law banning handheld device use while behind the wheel took effect Feb. 23 until April 1, when fines kicked in, police issued more than 6,500 warnings or citations for violations.

JetBlue Airways has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to temporarily suspend service at Worcester Regional Airport in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to a Wednesday filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Boston again topped the annual list of most congested United States cities in the newest version released Sunday. The average Boston metropolitan area commuter lost 149 hours to traffic last year, equivalent to $2,205 in lost time.

A day after voting to raise taxes and fees by as much as $600 million per year, the Massachusetts House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a roughly $18 billion bill authorizing spending on transportation projects and infrastructure over 10 years.

In a sign of the economic toll that coronavirus is exacting, global air traffic data showed demand in January rose 2.4% compared to last January, the lowest monthly increase since 2010 when volcanic ash from Iceland grounded planes in Europe.

Baker is seeking to incentivize the construction of new housing near public transit, maintain broadband service in Western Massachusetts, grow manufacturing jobs and support key technology industry clusters centered around the work being done on university campuses.

Officials from the Worcester Regional Transit Authority have announced the transportation authority will not go fare-free this year.

State police will deploy extra officers to Massachusetts roadways starting Sunday, multiplying law enforcement presence as a new distracted driving law kicks into effect.