To the editor:
The Berkshires’ Public Bus System (BRTA) is proposing potential service decreases, specifically halving Great Barrington’s Route 21 and 21 Express Bus service.
The bus is a valuable resource in the community, and will hopefully become more utilized when bus stop signs are put up, sometime within the next month, hopefully.
There will be a meeting on April 24th between 3-5 p.m. at the GB Firehouse for the general public to voice their opinion about these proposed cuts. I encourage everyone to attend if possible, even if you do not ride the bus, as it is an essential part of the Great Barrington community, especially in a big tourist town like this, because it provides service to the Norman Rockwell Museum, Chesterwood, The Mount, and the downtown areas of each Berkshire (member) town, as well as express service to The Clark Art in Williamstown, MASS MoCA in North Adams, and the Crane Paper Museum in North Adams, among other popular destinations.
The BRTA Buses also provide service to destinations targeted for local residents, such as Berkshire South Regional Community Center, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., daily (excluding Sundays and 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturdays).
I encourage everyone to voice their support of public transportation in the Berkshires (South County, specifically); if you cannot make it to the GB Meeting on the 24th, you can also voice your opinion to the BRTA by emailing info@berkshireta.com or by calling (413) 499-2782 x0 (the on-duty supervisor).
Also, I encourage everyone to take a ride on a BRTA bus for Earth Day. The Local (1-2 towns) cost is $1.40 for adults and $.70 for seniors and K-12 students. Full-fare cards are obtainable on board any bus; half-fare cards are obtainable from the BRTA Info Van (11-2 on Wednesday April 24th at the Town Hall). Schedule links are below. Please, support your local bus system.
Tate Coleman
Great Barrington
