(I think it’s time — especially with the ridiculous MBTA fare-hike/service-cut combo it’s proposing — for the people of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Boston and from the Cape all the way North to start raising a coordinated ruckus for a major reinvestment in public transportation from the state legislature. – promoted by eli_beckerman)

I am a user and an advocate of the public transportation system in Berkshire County.  I have posted on this subject in a prior blog, too.

The board of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority consists of appointees from the towns and cities in the network.  I represent the town of Lenox and have provided the following report to the Board of Selectmen and citizens.  It will be incorporated into the Town of Lenox 2011 report, published prior to town meeting and town elections.

The number one request of both employers and users is that the system operate later into the evenings and on Sundays.  The legislature currently does not provide the funding that would allow a public transportation service that would better serve the local economy.  I will work hard to change budget priorities to that the funding is there.

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens on Lenox:

Three bus lines in the BRTA served Lenox for all or part of 2011.  These are presented in order of ridership (high to low):

#2 – provides hourly daytime service Monday – Saturday along the Lenoxdale, downtown Lenox, Lenox Commons, and Price Chopper corridor north into Pittsfield and south into Lee where riders can transfer free to lines serving additional communities in the county.  Lenox ridership of 15,000 represented a 12.1% increase, comparing positively to both a 9.4% increase on this entire tri-city line and a 7.8% increase on the overall BRTA network.

#6 – provided service to 1204 riders for the first half 2011 from downtown Lenox to Kripalu, Tanglewood, Canyon Ranch, and Cranwell resorts.  This service was launched in July 2010 for a year’s test period and was discontinued on July 6, 2011 due to low ridership, so there are no year over year comparisons.

#21 Express – provides early morning service along Rt 7 that connects Great Barrington and Pittsfield, bypassing Lenoxdale and downtown Lenox.  Lenox ridership (rides that commence in Lenox) along this route is scant.

The ridership trends in the #2 bus line are very positive.  There are both financial and environmental reasons that Lenox should continue engaging in promotions and awareness building to boost public transportation ridership.

1.  Although over 40% of the scheduled operation of the #2 bus is within our town lines, our growing ridership levels are still below 20% of the fare-paying passenger base.  Every penny of every fare that is collected from a rider boarding in Lenox reduces the town’s assessment, dollar for dollar.  In effect, the fares that riders pay when they board the bus in Lenox is fully credited to the town.  The more we ride the less our town pays.

2.  Every shop patron, visitor, commuter, or resident who takes the bus downtown instead of driving will help ease traffic congestion downtown, especially during the summer months.

3.  Promoting and building public transportation alternatives reduces dependence on private automobies for commuting, shopping, and civic engagement.  It is fully consistent with the spirit of our Green Communities designation and the goals of economic development.

4.  Public transportation is community-building.  Personally, I have made friendships as a result of meeting people on the bus.  I delight in watching others socialize at bus stops or along the route.

In 2011 the Select Committee approved a proposal from me, which was also endorsed by the Lenox Environment Committee, to continue and expand upon the ‘free rides’ program that was first introduced in 2010 for Friday afternoons by the town’s Sustainability Coordinator.  The time frame was expanded to include all day on Friday and Saturday between Earth Day and Columbus Day.  The number of free rides was 796.

I will continue working with others in helping to optimize our use of public transportation as an economic development, environmental, and community-building component.  Please contact me with any observations or comments you have.

See you on the bus!

Respectfully submitted,

L. Scott Laugenour