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Vermont is updating its state-wide Public Transit Plan.

Do you ride the bus? Carpool? Take a taxi? We want your input. VTrans will be holding regional forums throughout the state in October and November. The purpose of the regional forums is to gather input on existing public transportation services, service gaps and challenges, and potential solutions from stakeholders and transit riders.

For more information, visit the project website for more information and to provide feedback using an interactive survey.

BRATTLEBORO: The Current, which operates the Brattleboro bus system, is seeking public input on its new proposed bus schedules.

The existing schedules were implemented in late August 2012 by the Current’s predecessor, Connecticut River Transit (CRT). The Current, which is one of two divisions operated by Southeast Vermont Transit (SEVT), took over the system in 2016 and has made only minor changes to one of the routes. From June-August, 2017, the Current conducted extensive public outreach for to increase both ridership and service quality.

The Current was awarded a planning grant by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) to work with consultant Stephen Falbel of Steadman Hill Consulting in Montpelier and the Windham Regional Commission to assist in the public outreach and resulting draft route design.

This second round of public input is to solicit comment on the draft schedules. Similar to the first round of outreach, surveys will be solicited from riders, non-riders, and businesses. Staff will also meet with Town Manager Peter Elwell and the Brattleboro Select Board.

The second round of surveys will run from July 5-August 3. VTrans and the SEVT Board of Directors will approve final changes based on the second round of public input, and will start designing the new route schedule brochure. It will be mailed to everyone in Brattleboro and West Brattleboro, and will give riders a three-week notice before it goes into effect hopefully around October 8th.

“The new schedule features many improvements and efficiencies based on the first round of input. We hope that it will improve our riders’ ability to reach their jobs, shopping, and medical appointments” said Rebecca Gagnon, Current General Manager. “What we have tried to design is to simplify the schedule, minimize transfers, reduce duplication, fill in gaps, and make the system more user friendly.” Gagnon also said that fares will remain at $1 per ride.

There are two public surveys being conducted in this second round of outreach – one for riders and one for non-riders. Riders may pick up their survey on the bus or complete it online or on the Current’s Facebook page.

The survey for those who do not currently ride the bus can be picked up at the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce, the Brattleboro Public Library, The Coop’s Shareholder Desk, and the Transportation Center. Non-riders can also fill out the survey online at www.crtransit.org and on the Current’s Facebook page.

For questions or comments call Rebecca Gagnon at 802-460-7433 ext. 201 or e-mail rgagnon@crtransit.org.

SEVT, Inc. joins transit systems nationwide in celebration of the thirteenth annual Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21. The Current will offer FARE-FREE rides for all passengers who ride the bus on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Sponsored by the American Public Transit Association (APTA) and Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride the bus instead of driving a car. Most toxic air pollutants in Vermont, according to the Department of Health, come from motorized vehicles. Traveling by public transportation, versus single-occupant cars can significantly reduce pollution. APTA data indicates that riding public transit is more beneficial to the environment than the combined benefits of using energy-efficient lightbulbs, adjusting thermostats, weatherizing one’s home and replacing a refrigerator.

Public transportation providers like The Current, The MOOver and Advance Transit improve the economic health of their communities by getting people to and from work while powering community growth and revitalization.

“With gas prices hovering near $3 and summer road construction putting wear and tear on cars, it’s a great time to try transit,” said General Manager, Rebecca Gagnon. “Dumping the (gas) Pump and riding transit puts money back in people’s pockets.  Riders have told us that our buses make it possible for them to reduce the number of cars in their households, saving them several thousand dollars each year.”

SEVT, Inc. provides community transportation services that are safe, reliable, accessible and affordable for everyone. For more information, please contact The Current at 802-460-7433 or on the web at www.thecurrent.org.

The next Board of Director’s meeting will be May 17th at 5:30pm at the Moover, 45 Mill St. Wilmington, VT

ROCKINGHAM: The Current’s schedule changes on six of its 16 routes that became effective February 5^th have proven very successful.

For the period February 5-April 27, the routes with new schedules are the Bellows Falls In-town route (up 136% over last year), the Springfield In-town route (up 18%), the Bellows Falls-Springfield route (31%), the Bellows Falls-Ludlow route (up 14%), the Bellows Falls-Brattleboro route (up 34%), and the Bellows Falls to Hanover route (down 8%). All but the Hanover route are fare free.

During that period ridership was 11,252 versus 8,971 for the same period last year, an increase of 2,281 riders or 25%.

The Current conducted over a year of studies and planning in partnership with the Southern Windsor Planning Commission and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). Several well-attended public meetings were held. “The Current received an unexpectedly-large amount of public input” said Rebecca Gagnon, General Manager. “We incorporated as much of that input as we could in re-designing the routes. We are pleased with the first three months of performance, and we hope to increase to the Hanover ridership over time.”

The Current made these changes with no additional funding. “We re-shuffled hours among these routes to take advantage of opportunities and to trim unproductive miles.”

A new brochure was printed and mailed to all addresses in Springfield and Rockingham. The brochures were also be distributed to business, chambers of commerce, and onboard the buses. The Current’s website was being updated with new information and the new schedules as well. The schedule is available on The Current’s website, www.crtransit.org .

For more information contact Rebecca Gagnon at (802) 460-7433, ext. 201.