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South County Connector reports rising ridership and $600,000 MassDOT award; Stockbridge ridership noted
Summary
Tate Coleman, director of Great Barrington public transportation, told the Stockbridge Select Board the South County Connector provided about 21,000 rides through May 2026, hit a monthly high of 2,624 rides in May, and was awarded a $600,000 MassDOT operating grant for FY2027; Coleman outlined fleet electrification plans and an FY27 budget of $897,315.
Tate Coleman, director of public transportation for Great Barrington, reported to the Stockbridge Select Board on July 13 that the South County Connector — a seven‑town, door‑to‑door shared‑ride public transit service — is seeing increased usage and has secured state grant funding for FY2027.
Coleman said the system provided a little over 21,000 rides through May 2026 and that the service recorded a May monthly high of 2,624 rides. He said seniors and persons with disabilities make up roughly 71% of rides and the system’s on‑time performance is about 95.6%. "We provided a little over 21,000 rides," Coleman said, noting improved operations after new scheduling software and staffing changes.
Coleman told the board MassDOT awarded the Connector a $600,000 operating grant under its micro‑transit/last‑mile program and also contributed replacement vehicles; the state will fund about 85% of the cost for awarded electric vehicles. He said the service is transitioning vehicles toward electric models and that Stockbridge’s FY27 assessment contribution supports the service. Coleman listed the FY27 operating budget at $897,315 and said personnel (dispatchers and drivers) account for roughly 84% of expenses.
Board members asked whether Connector service extends to Lee and Lenox. Coleman said the service does not currently provide routine service to those towns but that he has recommended expansion to the Great Barrington town manager and will raise the request with the advisory committee and in drafting the IMA for FY27. He said the IMA is managed by Great Barrington and expected the FY27 intermunicipal agreement to be sent to member towns soon.
Coleman also reported that the Connector is addressing unmet ride requests (about 15% systemwide; ~19.5% in Stockbridge) and is testing software changes and staffing strategies to reduce unmet demand.
