BRTA's New Purple Paratransit Line Hits the Road Feb. 1

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The new purple BRTA buses are designed especially for riders with mobility challenges.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority's new $1.34 million fleet of paratransit vehicles will begin service on Wednesday, Feb. 1, to aid those with mobility issues to get where they need to go.

"Paratransit is an essential service allowing people with mobility challenges to travel where they need to go, whether it's to the doctor, an appointment or to a social event," said BRTA Administrator Gary Shepard. "While the procedure and price point for services remain the same, patrons will ultimately be more comfortable in these brand-new, efficient mini-buses."

The transit authority fields some 80,000 requests from more than 6,000 people for paratransit service across the Berkshires. This new fleet of 15 buses will be owned and maintained by the BRTA, and operated by County Ambulance. 
The mini-buses are identifiable by their purple color scheme. Drivers will wear similarly styled identification badges to help ensure passengers' familiarity and safety.

BRTA purchased the new mini-buses through a grant from the federal Mobility Assistance Program. These vehicles are fully handicapped-accessible and feature a safety camera system. BRTA also seeks to add Mobile Data Terminals and GPS locators for dispatching the vehicles in its final phase of paratransit improvement. 

A person's eligibility for paratransit services will be determined by his or her mobility and functional ability regarding access to navigate the fixed-route service. For ADA travelers, fares are $2.50 per town of travel with a maximum fare of $10 for a one-way trip, during days and hours of fixed-route bus operation. Non-ADA service is available in member communities 24/7 for $7.50 initially and $2.50 for each additional town with no maximum fare.

To reserve a ride, call County Ambulance at 413-499-2527. More information is available on the website.

Tags: Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority,   transportation,   

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Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.
 
At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.
 
"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.
 
About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.
 
Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."
 
Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.
 
Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.
 
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