BOSTON - When it comes to public transportation the conversations at the state house often revolve around the Boston area, but this year the Massachusetts State Senate wanted to invest in public transit across the state. The Senate announced on Tuesday free fairs for regional transit authorities.

The state Senate unveiled its $57.9 billion budget proposal adding programs with the hopes of creating more regional equity. 

Among the top priorities for the Senate budget is $214 million in funding for the regional transit authorities or RTAs. 

“Coming from South Coast, I understand, how frustrated we all are when we see all the investments made in the MBTA, which by the way, are necessary and needed. And we'll continue to make investments,” said Chair of the Ways and Means Committee Sen. Michael Rodrigues. “We and the folks out in Central Mass and Western Mass. We just ask that you not forget us also when we make those investments in those regions.”

Investments include allotting $40 million to make fares free for all riders. And another $10 million to connect bus routes from region to region. 

“I think that there are some decent and optimistic parts of this state budget that I can support. I've heard a lot about transportation since the time I've been in the state Senate, because in Central and Western Massachusetts, access to public transportation is rare,” said state Sen. Ryan Fattman. 

In addition to RTAs, another highlight is investment in education. Earlier this year the senate announced expanded access to early childhood education and just this week free community college for all. 

The issue of state shelter funding is now always a part of the conversation. The budget allows for an additional $325 million, but that likely will only cover half of the year. It also doesn’t include any changes to the current shelter policies. 

It's because of this Sen. Fattman is unsure if he would support the budget the way it reads now.  

“What you support and what you don't when it comes to this $57 billion document is always the most important part of the conversation,” said Fattman. “Seeing if there's enough in there that you can say, yeah, that's good enough to get me to vote for the whole thing, or to say, nope. It falls short.”

Senators have until Friday afternoon to file amendments to the budget. They will start to debate on May 20 and they vow to continue discussions until it is passed. After that the House will work with the Senate to find a middle ground.