Transporation Planning
West County Transit Study
FRTA bus approaching Court Square in Greenfield
Project Overview
The FRCOG periodically conducts studies to assess transit services and ongoing unmet transit needs in the Franklin County region. The FRCOG is committed to working to ensure that all Franklin County residents have access to transportation facilities and services. To do so we coordinate with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) to explore ways to improve the region’s bus system, and work specifically to support better access to jobs, training, and needed services for low-income residents.
During the summer and fall of 2007, the FRCOG evaluated transit services and needs in western Franklin County, an area with very limited transit service. As part of this study, a survey to gauge the interest in expanded transit services was sent to all households in the ten West County towns, approximately 5,625 households in total (777 surveys were completed), and a public forum was held to gather input from residents. The study also reviewed demographic and economic data related to transportation needs.
Current Activities
The FRCOG’s report on Transit Services and Needs in Western Franklin County was finalized in November, 2008. The study’s main finding was that at the time of the study, western Franklin County had inadequate transit services and access for many residents. At the time, the FRTA’s bus route to the West County area ran only during the school year, and only twice each weekday, at times that were not useful for most West County residents. Another important finding of the study was that the main beneficiaries of expanded bus access in the West County area would likely be low-income and moderate-income residents who often face the most issues with transportation to jobs, training, and services. Since completion of the study, the FRTA has used the information to apply for additional funds to expand transit service to west county and make it more consistent. As of June 14, 2010, Route 41 from Greenfield to Charlemont began operating 4 times per weekday, year round. If you would like more information about the study, or would like to offer comments, please contact Maureen Mullaney at trans@frcog.org or (413) 774-1194 ext. 108.
Report Cover (108K pdf file)
Transit Services and Needs in Western Franklin County (296K pdf file)
Submitted Survey Comments (243K pdf file)
Appendices (750K pdf file)
Future Plans
In the Fall of 2010 the FRCOG will begin a similar study to assess transit needs and demand in the northern part of Franklin County. This study will look at the communities of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, and Warwick, and their connections to Greenfield. In addition, the FRCOG will also continue to work on other studies and projects, such as the development of the Regional Transit Center, to improve and expand other transit services in the region as needed.
Links
This page was last updated on 08/03/2010 .