WESTFIELD—The PVTA held two meetings at the Olver Transit Pavilion on Arnold Street yesterday, to discuss a potential changes in routes due to a possible budget shortfall the service is facing.
The two meetings were held to discuss with users of the service and others the potential impacts that possible route changes or removal could have on riders, and were part of a series of meetings on the topic throughout the Pioneer Valley. There have been nearly 20 routes throughout the PVTA service area that have been highlighted for modification, with one route being considered in Westfield.
The Olver Transit Pavilion in downtown Westfield, as it looks from the Elm Street side
According to PVTA administrator Sandra Sheehan, the potential modifications come due to budgetary concerns within the PVTA. According to a June 16 Westfield News article, PVTA’s Director of Operations and Planning Josh Rickman said the PVTA currently faces a $1.2 million deficit due to state budget cuts and reduced aid, though this could change through grants and budget discussion.
The route in question for Westfield is the Saturday portion of the B23 route. The B23 route runs from downtown Westfield to Holyoke near Holyoke Community College (HCC) and normally runs Monday through Saturday, with five trips to Westfield and four trips to Holyoke on Saturday. If the Saturday B23 service is removed, then Sheehan said that about 28 riders could be impacted.
However, Sheehan said that the PVTA is deliberating several facts for each possible change, including number of people affected, if there is another route patrons can use and if there is another way to get to where they are going.
According to one of the attendees, Jay Ducharme of Westfield, he worries that if the Saturday service is eliminated, then he and others could be adversely impacted.
“I don’t usually go to work on Saturdays but when I do that’s how I would do it,” Ducharme said.
Ducharme teaches electronic media at HCC.
“I’m worried about the 28 people who need it,” he said. “That’s 28 people that need to get to Holyoke.”
Ducharme added that he opted to give up driving and liked the overall bus experience.
“I’m sick of driving, had cars since I remember,” he said. “It felt like I was taking my life in my hands. I much prefer sitting in a comfortable bus with a professional driver.”
In addition, he said that it is more affordable.
According to Sheehan, the PVTA is collecting all of the responses, whether they come during the public meetings, through letters, email or other correspondence, and cataloguing based on route for a committee to make a determination on. That committee is expected to make a decision on July 19.
