GREENFIELD — As community members took advantage of a free ride Thursday, Mayor William Martin swayed around curves and talked with fellow commuters on Franklin Regional Transit Authority’s Route 21 bus.
The event, sponsored by the transit authority, was a chance for discussion about Greenfield’s public transportation system between the community, local government and transit officials.
Rolling away from the curb at 9:15 a.m. sharp, the mayor rode the entire route, starting and ending at the John W. Olver Transit Center on Olive Street, with stops including Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield High School, Greenfield Community College, and Corporate Center. For the duration of the hour-long ride, the bus was packed with about 25 people.
“It’s almost an equality issue — that people have a choice about getting from one place to another. Immobile people are not to the benefit to individuals or the community,” Martin said, noting the idea is to “open it up,” expanding on the town’s transportation plan. “Our ultimate goal,” he said, “is to provide a transportation plan that meets the needs of students, residents and workers at the courthouse.”
Martin said the town has received a $50,000 state transportation grant, and intends to work with the regional transportation authority to revamp the town’s transportation plan.
“We need a Saturday bus — I work weekends, and it’s hard to get a ride,” Greenfield resident Nicole Fisher told the mayor. Fisher catches the Route 21 bus to work early on weekdays, but often has to pay friends for rides on the weekends.
While she could call a local taxi service, Fisher said she’s had bad experiences with them in the past.
Fisher wasn’t the only one who expressed a desire to see the transit service offer a weekend bus. Warren Griswold, who frequently rides the bus with his mother, Josephine Griswold, said the system is easy to navigate, but needs weekend routes. “It’s very good — the only thing is, if they had Saturday service,” he said.
Earlier, FRTA Administrator Tina Cote said she’s heard the public’s request, and also hopes to see a Saturday route start soon. Martin also said he’d like to see a Saturday bus route.
“One of our reasons for wanting weekend service is that there’s a train in town,” Cote said. A bus route would help residents get to and from the train station on weekends.
Regarding the event on Thursday, Cote said, “We’re trying to promote public transportation. It’s an inexpensive way to get around town.”
Reflecting Cote’s thoughts, Carl Rosenblum, who caught a bus from Northampton to the 21 bus, said although the bus takes longer to get places than catching a cab, public transportation is significantly cheaper. Rosenblum, a former pastor who lived 30 years in New York City, noted that good public regional transportation is imperative for towns because it affects other aspects of community, including business.
Boarding the Franklin Regional Transit Authority’s Route 21 bus, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Greenfield @TheRecorderNews #Bus #Greenfield pic.twitter.com/pGydC6BKGd
— Andy Castillo (@AndyCCastillo) December 15, 2016
“It multiplies value — people of all ages can ride them,” he said. “I could have just gotten a cab — that would have been $50. Or, I could do the bus, which is 60 cents one way, half price for senior citizens.”
Others who voiced their thoughts to the mayor included representatives from Greenfield High School’s Life program, which helps high school and post-grad students, up to age 22, integrate into the busyness of the workplace.
“It helps us get ready, giving us the information and tools we need,” said Chelsea Ennis, a post-grad student. Ennis said FRTA’s bus system is easy to navigate, and is a great option “if you don’t have a car or mode of transportation.”
“We often use the FRTA to get to our job sites and for travel training,” said Suzie Hale, transportation coordinator at the school, who’s also on the service’s Transportation Advisory Committee. “Many students don’t have transportation. For them to be able to use public transportation is really key for future independence.”
Hale, Ennis and a few other school representatives spoke to the mayor on behalf of all students.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo