Bus riders can continue to keep their change in their pockets — at least for now.

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) will continue to operate without fees for the foreseeable future as the state reports increased ridership among Massachusetts’ 15 regional transit authorities. How long riders will continue to travel for free remains uncertain, according to PVTA spokesperson Brandy Pelletier.

“At the direction of the PVTA Advisory Board, PVTA is continuing the fare-free program until further notice,” Pelletier said. “Funding to continue the program has been included in the House, Senate and governor’s budget proposals. However, until a final state budget is approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, PVTA cannot confirm the duration of fare-free service.”

As of Wednesday morning, Gov. Maura Healey had not signed the fiscal year 2027 state budget.

“The continuation of the program depends on the amount of funding allocated in the state budget,” Pelletier said. “We cannot guarantee any length of the program since the budget has not been signed.”

PVTA, the largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts, serving 24-member communities with a fleet of 186 buses and 132 vans in the Pioneer Valley, has seen ridership increase nearly 30% over the past two years, according to a recent report submitted to the Legislature. Ridership rose 21% in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024, followed by another 7% increase in fiscal year 2026.

Statewide, public transit ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time since 2019, rising 29.5%. Ridership has also nearly doubled since fiscal year 2021.

“A recent report filed with the Massachusetts Legislature shows a strong correlation between sustained fare-free service and increased ridership growth,” according to a news release from Healey’s office.