PVTA won't increase fares

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has decided not to increase fares for the time being; staving-off a potential hardship for thousands of riders in more than 20 western Massachusetts cities and towns.

Fares might have gone up had the PVTA not found itself in better financial shape than expected, with a balanced budget.

Thomas Walsh, Springfield's representative on the PVTA Advisory Board , told 22News that he has been strongly opposed to the increase in fares.

“We've received hundreds of letters and hundreds of phone calls from concerned residents and senior citizens, saying they did not support the fare increase,” said Walsh, who is also Chief-of-Staff to Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Had the increases gone through, Carmen Rosado's fare on PVTA van for the disabled would have gone up from five to seven dollars each way.

“It would be a major impact on my life, because I take the bus every day to work and also to the doctor,” said Rosado, who lives in Amherst.

Passengers at Springfield's PVTA terminal welcomed the news that their fares would not be going up from 25 cents to possibly one dollar each way.

“Every little bit helps,” Delores Smith of Springfield said. “We're all struggling trying to make ends meet. Its on a daily basis and to get help makes a difference.”

The PVTA Advisory Board will now work toward getting the Massachusetts Legislature to provide the kind of funding arrangement the MBTA in Boston receives.