A proposed Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus stop could be located between the Westfield Athenaeum and United Bank on Elm Street in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The City Council’s Legislative & Ordinance Committee last night discussed a proposed ordinance amendment requested by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority which is seeking to relocate downtown bus stops.
The proposed ordinance amendment was requested by the PVTA because it is changing its routes in the city.
The new route, initiated Tuesday, has a bus coming from Springfield to the downtown, and then returning to Springfield along Route 20 on an hourly cycle.
A bus owned by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) passes the United Bank and the Westfield Athenaeum on Elm Street where a proposed PVTA bus stop could be located. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
A new bus route has been established between the downtown and the university. The new route is being operated on a 20-minute cycle to address the academic class schedule of WSU.
That discussion which included other City Councilors, city officials and members of the public, as well as the L&O members, was against the PVTA proposal to take three parking spaces and a taxi stand on Elm Street in from of the Westfield Athenaeum and United Bank for a new bus stop.
BRIAN HOOSE
Several City Council members presented constituent communication from residents and downtown businesses opposing the proposed bus stop relocation.
“I don’t like this plan,” said Ward 3 Councilor Brian Hoose. “My constituents don’t like this plan.”
“We can’t attract businesses downtown if there’s no place to park,” Hoose, chairman of the Off-Street Parking Commission, said. “Our downtown lots are still full while students are on campus.”
Hoose suggested that a small bus be used for the WSU route and that if an Elm Street bus stop is needed it should be located in front of the former Block buildings which were razed by the city and are now vacant.
Cher Collins, Athenaeum director and Karen Webb, a United Bank officer, both spoke against the proposed ordinance amendment to allow the bus stop to be moved to Elm Street.
“We’ve had hundreds of patrons come into the Athenaeum who are strongly opposed to taking three parking spots,” Collins said.
Webb said that, in the past, there was a bus stop in the proposed location.
“We had major problems: people sitting on the front steps of the bank,” Webb said. “Our elderly customers were afraid to come into the bank. There was also litter. It should not be the responsibility of downtown businesses to clean bus stops.”
Frank Mills said the bus stop should remain in its present location on Main Street.
“It’s high time for the people of Westfield to get their heads out of the sand and stop the college from wagging the dog,” Mills said. “The college has plenty of transportation at its disposal if used effectively.”
L&O Chairman Brian Sullivan rejected a motion to close the hearing to allow further input from residents and downtown business owners. The committee will refer the ordinance amendment to the Traffic Commission for further review and to make a recommendation to the City Council.
