More buses to West County?

[ Originally published on: Friday, October 30, 2009 ]

SHELBURNE FALLS -- More frequent buses between Greenfield and West County for commuters and college students might be possible as early as this winter if the Franklin Regional Transit Authority receives a $100,000 federal grant.

FRTA Executive Director Tina Cote said the transit authority has applied for a ''Job Access Reverse Commute'' grant from the Federal Transit Administration that will cover the costs to start more bus routes between Greenfield and Charlemont over the next three years.

Cote and Assistant Administrator Michael Perrault gave details to the Buckland Board of Selectmen, because the FRTA is looking for alternative bus stops to the current stop at the Salmon Falls Marketplace parking lot.

The FRTA now runs a fixed-route bus twice a day between the Academy at Charlemont and Greenfield; there are no buses running when school is not in session. If awarded the grant, transportation officials hope more residents will be able to use the buses to commute to jobs, to Greenfield Community College and to other destinations.

''The route was originally set up as an Academy at Charlemont route,'' Cote explained. ''But we are seeing more School Choice students, which gives us more reason to expand service. And with the transportation center opening in Greenfield, that's going to provide greater opportunities for people (for public transportation).''

A 2008 report by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments said the fixed-route between Court Square, Greenfield, Shelburne Falls, and the Academy at Charlemont only runs about 150 days a year -- whenever school days at the academy are in session. On most days, the last bus leaving Greenfield for the West County towns is weekdays at 2:15 p.m., which doesn't help people who might otherwise use public transportation to commute to work.

''Lack of available transit comes up pretty regularly,'' Maureen Mulvaney, FRCOG transportation manager told The Recorder at the time of the report. ''We just need additional funding to create a route and times that meet the needs of local people, but funding is hugely limited; it's an uphill battle,'' she said at the time.

For the full version of this story, you may purchase The Recorder electronically, by returning to the home page and clicking under ''E-Edition'' on the right side of your screen, or you can purchase the print edition, which is available throughout Franklin County, Massachusetts.

 

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