CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Beginning on Friday, people across western Massachusetts can ride the bus for free. Eversource installing latest electric meter technology in Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced $30 million in state funding to provide year-round, fare-free public transportation from select stations across the state and here in western Massachusetts. This “try transit initiative” brings free public transportation to 13 regions across the state, including the PVTA and Franklin Regional Transit Authority, from November 1 through June 30, 2025.  This means no fares or passes for the entire region. With this funding, the Healey-Driscoll Administration aims to increase public transportation networks across the state and make these services more accessible to the larger community. Local News Headlines Over two dozen firefighters worked to put out brush fire in Monson Missing New Hampshire woman found dead in Massachusetts Western Massachusetts residents to ride bus for free through June Open enrollment begins for Massachusetts Health Connector WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.