Western Mass Reproductive Health and Transportation Justice Campaign

Q & A

Glossary of Terms

Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC):

Anti-abortion counseling centers which operate under the guise of providing medical care and social services, but whose goal is to deceive, shame and pressure people about their reproductive health decisions. The vast majority do not have medical licenses or adhere to any standardized ethics (Interrupting Criminalization and Beyond Do No Harm Coalition, May 2022).

Reproductive Coercion:

Behaviors that a partner uses to maintain power and control in a relationship that are related to reproductive health, such as explicit attempts to impregnate a partner against her wishes, controlling outcomes of a pregnancy, coercing a partner to have unprotected sex, and interfering with birth control methods (Planned Parenthood Federation of America Fact Sheet, 2012).

Reproductive Health:

The state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so (World Health Organization).

Reproductive Justice:

The human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities (SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective).

Reproductive Oppression:

The control and exploitation of women and girls through their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction is a strategic pathway to regulating entire populations that is implemented by families, communities, institutions, and society (Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, 2005).

Reproductive rights:

A framework largely centered on achieving individualistic reproductive freedom through the legal system which has historically focused largely on the pro-choice and pro-life debate, sex education, and family planning (Interrupting Criminalization and Beyond Do No Harm Coalition, May 2022).

Self-Managed Abortion:

The term commonly used to describe when a person chooses to induce their own abortion outside a medical setting (Whole Woman’s Health).

Transportation Terms

Transportation Justice:

The ability to access reliable, affordable, sustainable, safe, and efficient ways to get around (Transportation for Massachusetts).

Microtransit:

Tech-enabled shared transportation that lives in the space between traditional fixed route transit and ride-hailing technology. Its routes are nimble; its “schedules” aren’t really schedules at all, as they shift constantly based on rider demand; and its vehicles range in size from vans, shuttles, or buses (Via).

Regional Transit Authority (RTA):

Map of Transit Authorities in Massachusetts from www.mass.gov/info-details/public-transportation-in-massachusetts

Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) provide fixed-route and paratransit services.

• Fixed Route
  • All transit authorities offer some fixed-route services that have a regular route and schedule (such as bus or subway).
  • Fixed-route transit is open to anyone! There is no eligibility process—just get on board.
  • Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for discounted fares when riding the fixed route – contact your transit authority and ask about senior discounts, Senior Charlie Card, the Transportation Access Pass (TAP), or other discounts.
• Paratransit
  • An origin-to-destination service. Routing varies depending on who requests a ride and where they are going.
  • Sometimes called “demand-response” or “dial-a-ride.”
  • Rides are shared. Other riders may be on the same vehicle, and you may make stops along the way.
  • Transit authorities are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide paratransit service under certain circumstances. ADA paratransit is an eligibility-based service for people whose disabilities sometimes or always prevent them from using the fixed route, and who are traveling in an area served by fixed-route service. However, some transit authorities also provide additional paratransit services above and beyond what is federally required.
  • Contact your transit authority to find out how to apply for paratransit. Riders usually need to apply – and be deemed eligible – before they can book trips. Riders usually also have to book trips in advance (before the day they want to travel).

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA):

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) is one of 15 regional transit authorities in Massachusetts. BRTA services Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Ashford, North Adams, Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Savoy, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Washington, Williamstown, Windsor (BRTA).

Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA):

Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) covers the greatest distance of all transit authorities in MA and serves Ashfield, Deerfield, Leyden, Rowe, Bernardston, Erving, Middlefield, Russell, Blanford, Gill, Montague, Shelburne, Buckland, Goshen, Montgomery, Shutesbury, Charlemont, Granville, New Salem, Southampton, Chester, Greenfield, Northfield, Southwick, Chesterfield, Hatfield, Orange, Warwick, Colrain, Hawley, Phillipston, Wendell, Conway, Heath, Plainfield, Westhampton, Cummington, Huntington, Petersham, Whately, and Worthington (FRTA).

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA):

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is the largest regional transit authority in MA servicing Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, Chicopee, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Granby, Hadley, Hampden, Holyoke, Leverett, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Northampton, Palmer, Pelham, South Hadley, Springfield, Sunderland, Ware, Westfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham, and Williamsburg (PVTA).