MetroWest Regional Transit Authority's community relations head says he's out of a job

Tom Benoit, The MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read

FRAMINGHAM — Jon Fetherston is out at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority.

Fetherston, who had been the transit authority's manager of travel training and community relations, confirmed to the Daily News last Friday that he is no longer working for the transit authority. He declined to speak further.

On Sept. 9, MWRTA Administrator Jim Nee announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the agency is seeking a manager of travel training and community outreach.

"The MWRTA is looking for an outgoing person who enjoys helping people to understand what public transit is & how to ride it," Nee wrote in his post on X. "This person will work closely with the ADA and low-income communities, as well as community stakeholders."

Jon Fetherston, center, then director of community outreach at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, and Giovanni Fleurancois, right, general manager for National Express, the MWRTA's transportation provider, instruct Haitian asylum seekers living in Framingham how to use the regional bus service, Aug. 31, 2023.
Jon Fetherston, center, then director of community outreach at the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, and Giovanni Fleurancois, right, general manager for National Express, the MWRTA's transportation provider, instruct Haitian asylum seekers living in Framingham how to use the regional bus service, Aug. 31, 2023.

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When reached by the Daily News, Nee declined to comment on whether or not Fetherston was still employed at the MWRTA, adding that he does not comment on personnel matters.

The job posting came just days after the Daily News was invited to attend an event in which the MWRTA taught migrants residing at the Red Roof Inn in Framingham how to use the regional bus system. Fetherston ran the event, with Giovanni Fleurancois, a Haitian native who is general manager of National Express, the MWRTA's transportation company, acting as a translator.

Position is responsible for MWRTA's travel training program

According to the recent MWRTA posting, which appears on its website, the travel training and community outreach manager is responsible for the agency's travel training program. The web page for the travel training program currently directs interested people to contact the MWRTA's main information email. However, an archived snapshot of the web page from May instructs users to email Fetherston.

The travel training and community outreach position will pay between $50,000 to $60,000, depending on experience, according to the posting. Besides being responsible for the MWRTA's Transitions Outreach Program, the person hired for the positioin will participate and host outreach events; and build upon established relationships with member communities, with special emphasis on Councils on Aging in the MWRTA’s service area.

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Interested candidates are asked to send their resumes to the MWRTA's human resources department at HR@mwrta.com.

The MWRTA operates more than 15 fixed bus routes throughout MetroWest. The transit organization also runs commuter shuttles for first- and last-mile travel between MBTA rail service and employment destinations throughout the region. Three door-to-door services are also available.

The MWRTA serves 16 communities — Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Jon Fetherston out as MWRTA's community relations director