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Pittsfield disability commission: BRTA will keep current routes; free rides extended through July
Summary
At its April 9 meeting, the Pittsfield Commission on Disabilities said the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority decided not to alter routes after a public hearing and will continue free rides through at least July 1; the commission also noted BRTA is exploring e-bike accommodation and that paratransit vans will move from lifts to ramps.
At its April 9 meeting, the Pittsfield Commission on Disabilities reported that the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority will not change its current bus routes after a recent public hearing and that free rides will continue until at least July 1, Commission Chair Cathy Carchedi said.
The decision followed advocacy the commission described as successful; Carchedi also said BRTA is considering options to accommodate e-bikes on buses. The commission noted an equipment change for paratransit service: new paratransit vans will transition from lifts to ramps "in alignment with new accessibility standards," Carchedi said.
Commissioners flagged the changes as notable for riders who rely on accessible transit and for staff who coordinate paratransit trips. The meeting did not record a BRTA spokesperson in attendance; the commission referenced a BRTA public hearing and follow-up meetings with BRTA leadership when summarizing the outcome.
The commission discussed no formal next steps for enforcement or follow-up beyond continued monitoring and advising affected constituents. Members also raised bench and shelter issues elsewhere on the agenda; those concerns and any additional BRTA responses were to be pursued through further meetings with city and regional transit officials.
