The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is preparing for a potential FY2019 budget shortfall of up to 3.1 million. Due to the current uncertainty regarding the actual budget shortfall, the Authority has begun planning for possible service reductions to ensure a balanced budget.
There are multiple ways in which the public and riders are able to participate in the public process to review possible scenarios for major service changes and fare increases.
In person - attend public hearings or talk to staff at one of the station outreach events;
By mail - Send letters to Sandra E. Sheehan, PVTA Administrator, 2808 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107;
By email - send email to comments@pvta.com;
By phone - Call 413-732-6248 x 239 to leave a recorded message of up to 3 minutes.
Online - Visit pvta.com and complete an online comment form. Paper forms will also be available and collected at the outreach events and public hearings.
Public Hearings in Amherst are scheduled for Thursday, March 1 from 12 to 2 p.m. at UMass - Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center, 1 Campus Way, Rm 163C (lower level); and Tuesday, March 6 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.
There are seven scenarios that represent different approaches to reducing PVTA's operating costs in FY2019:
Scenario 1: Prioritize Geographic Coverage by Preserving Bus Routes Regionwide;
Scenario 2: Prioritize High Ridership Routes;
Scenario 3: Reduce Non-required Van and Bus Services;
Scenario 4: Reduce Off-Peak Weekend and Holiday Service;
Scenario 5: Reduce Off-Peak Service and Restructure Low Performing Routes and Services;
Scenario 6: Prioritize Weekday Geographic Coverage and Weekend High Ridership Routes; and,
Scenario 7: Return to FY2013 Level of Service.
Five of the seven proposed scenarios would likely yield enough savings to close the 3.1 million anticipate budget shortfall Only Scenario 3 and 7 would not.
Further information is available at the Pioneer Valley Transit website; see the link for further information below.