Massachusetts has fifteen Regional Transit Authorities providing local bus service throughout the Commonwealth, with more than 34 million rides in 2016. RTAs run bus service on fixed routes, along with "demand response" (on-demand service for seniors and people with disabilities), and other services like commuter shuttles. All RTAs were established by the State Legislature, and are funded by rider fares, advertising, local government, federal grants and, critically, state assistance.

The 2013 Transportation Finance Act required all RTAs to provide a Comprehensive Services Assessment with a plan to better serve the needs of their regions. These plans were completed between 2014 and 2016. This Act also proposed regular funding increases to RTAs from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund of 2.5% per year. Funding has been level for the past four years, but for FY 2019 has increased to a base of $82 million, with $6 million authorized subject to agreements between individual RTAs and MassDOT, and to the recommendations of a new Task Force on RTA Performance and Funding.