Senate Transportation hears providers warn of service strain as one‑time grants expire

Transit providers, Agency of Transportation staff and senators debated whether recent route adjustments and microtransit pilots are prudent cost‑saving measures or a reduction in access for vulnerable riders.

In testimony to the Senate Transportation Committee, Vermont Agency of Transportation presenter Ross McDonald said the agency has used one‑time federal programs to maintain service levels and build new pilots since 2019, but those funds are not guaranteed going forward. "We brought in $3,000,000 in carbon reduction program funds," McDonald said, and the agency also secured $2,900,000 for electric buses and mobility innovation awards that the agency treats as one‑time funding.

The testimony came as providers described how they are pruning underperforming routes, expanding microtransit in some towns and coping with shortages of drivers, volunteers and replacement buses. "We are well aware when our routes are performing well. We're well aware when our routes are not performing well," a transit provider (name not specified in the transcript) told the committee, adding that providers do self‑evaluations and work with communities to change services.

Why this matters: committee members said…