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Council urges state support for Green Mountain Transit as GMT warns of service risk
Summary
The council unanimously approved a resolution urging the state to provide stable funding for Green Mountain Transit after GMT warned of service reductions and funding uncertainty tied to federal and state developments.
The Burlington City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution urging legislative and executive action to sustain funding for Green Mountain Transit (GMT) after GMT representatives described an uncertain funding outlook.
GMT General Manager Clayton Clark told the council GMT is “facing an uncertain future and ... a certain need for service reductions” without reliable funding. He said the agency has been advised there is a risk that federal funds for battery electric buses may not be guaranteed when the vehicles arrive and that the state legislature is considering changes that could separate GMT’s urban and rural service responsibilities.
Councilors expressed strong support for GMT. Councilor Barlow, sponsor of the resolution, asked colleagues to send a unanimous message to Montpelier to secure GMT’s operational funding and strategic planning dollars. Councilor Broderick and others warned that limiting GMT’s mission would harm broader access to affordable mass transit across the region.
GMT reported it has had some short‑term relief from the governor’s budget but said the broader question of whether to split urban and rural service carries momentum in the State House and could affect long‑term viability. GMT also said it has been told by the Federal Transit Administration there may be uncertainty about reimbursements for electric buses it plans to order.
The council voted to adopt the resolution; Councilor Barlow made the motion and Councilor Litwin seconded.
