AMHERST — A free transit program for guests at the Craig’s Place homeless shelter, initiated in March 2023, has supported their physical and mental well-being and provided assistance to those seeking to move into permanent housing, according to a report issued by the nonprofit.

With 5,585 free bus rides provided to more than 340 people over the first nine months of the Fare Access Program, Craig’s Doors: A Home Association Inc. recently issued an outline of the benefits provided to those it provides shelter for at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on North Pleasant Street.

“It has been life-changing for our clients, as we saw 84% of participants report positive impacts to their mental health and 91% reporting positive impacts to their physical health,” staff member Jack Myers wrote in an email.

The report is coming out as state legislators consider providing up to $40 million for fare-free transit pilot programs across Massachusetts.

The Fare Access Program initially began with support from the Amherst Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service Department, allowing Craig’s Doors to begin buying the PVTA day passes so that any client could have access to daily fare-free public transit. Bus passes were also distributed to community partners to assist other people in need of transportation assistance.

Then, in 2024, State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, secured $40,000 in the state budget to continue the program through 2024.

Now, Craig’s Doors is seeking funding sources to have the program remain intact through 2025.

The program includes data tracking, with many of those provided the passes agreeing to provide some details about their lives and thoughts on the program, with one participant referring to the support as “genuinely life changing.”

The statistics show that three in 10 clients consider themselves chronically homeless, 40% are individuals between ages 40 and 49 and $6,510 is the reported average annual income, though four in 10 said they earn no income at all.

Users had various purposes for their trips, with many citing personal needs, such as being able to go grocery shopping, as well as getting to health appointments and the pharmacy and for various social purposes.

While large numbers noted the positive impact to their health and well being, 71% of those getting the passes said the free trips helped them on their path to housing, but only 16% stated that the program helped them gain employment

Besides the shelters, Craig’s Doors also operates a resource center and a low-threshold housing program, through which people are provided access to a bed, warm meals, hot showers, case management, clothing, laundry services, harm-reduction supplies, survival gear and Internet access.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.