SHELBURNE FALLS — Thanks to a partnership between the state Department of Transportation and Peter Pan Bus Lines, travelers from Deerfield, Greenfield, Shelburne Falls and Charlemont now have access to Peter Pan buses that run from Springfield and Northampton up through the Berkshires along Route 2, to Albany, N.Y.
In November, MassDOT and Peter Pan expanded their joint BusPlus program by adding two Springfield-to-Albany routes, which go from Springfield to Greenfield, and then west on Route 2 through Shelburne Falls and Charlemont before heading into North Adams, Williamstown and Albany.
The additional two buses a day leave Greenfield’s John Olver Transit Center for trips west and south, seven days a week.
BusPlus is a partnership in which MassDOT provides new regional buses to private, for-profit bus companies which, in return, must deliver regional services and be responsible for all bus maintenance and operating costs. The goal of this federally funded grant program is to increase transportation and commuter options throughout the state.
The service started in mid-November, but the routes are lightly traveled, according to Michael Sharff, director of planning and development for Peter Pan Bus Lines.
“It’s been a slow progression, but it’s growing,” Sharff said. “Each trip averages about 10 passengers, with some taking the bus the whole way.”
He noted that general ridership tapers off in the fall and winter, but the buses have been running and service along the Route 2 west corridor was only cancelled once this winter, due to weather.
Sharff said the bus route is under contract for service with MassDOT until June 30, although the contract could be extended for a year.
Westbound buses leave Shelburne Falls weekdays at 10:12 a.m. and 4:37 p.m., near the Arms Library. These buses make stops in Charlemont (near Avery’s), North Adams, Williamstown, and Troy, N.Y., before arriving in Albany. Buses going east and south from Shelburne Falls leave 75 Bridge St. at 9:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., heading to Greenfield, Deerfield, Northampton and Springfield.
From Greenfield’s John W. Olver Transit Center, Albany-bound buses leave at 9:51 a.m. and 4:16 p.m. Buses heading to Northampton or Springfield leave the Transit Center at 10:05 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.
Bus schedules are available on the lower floor of the John W. Olver building, near the FRTA office. Also, travelers can get schedule information, round-trip and one-way rates online at tds.peterpanbus.com and entering the point of origin, destination and dates of travel.
Tickets can be bought online and printed out, or travelers can pay the driver directly. “We’re working on a new system, and soon there will be a way to have a ticket on your (smartphone) that a driver can scan,” said Sharff.