Springfield to transition bus network to on‑demand microtransit under proposed five‑year RiverNorth contract

Springfield city staff and a team from Via Transportation outlined plans to replace much of the city’s existing fixed‑route bus network inside a new microtransit zone with an on‑demand service to be operated by RiverNorth Transit LLC under a proposed five‑year contract.

The presentation, given at a work session, said the microtransit service would expand geographic coverage, reduce wait times and eliminate many transfers by allowing residents to request shared rides in real time via a smartphone app, web portal or phone line. Alex Lavoie, chief operating officer for Via, told the commission Via will provide “a turnkey solution” including software, local operations, marketing and community engagement.

City staff and Via framed the change as the result of a multi‑year review by the Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC). Glenn Massey, identified in the presentation as the TCC transportation planner, was named as having led the review that flagged long waits and…