Berkshire Transit Authority Survey Shows Rider Satisfaction, Desire for More Regional Travel
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority riders are overall pleased with its services, a recent survey revealed, but support improvements such as further reaching travel options and electric vehicles.
At Thursday's BRTA Advisory Board meeting, manager Rauley Caine reviewed the results of a service planning survey conducted in December and January.
The survey had 291 responses from a target sample of 300 people and 86 percent of respondents said they currently use the bus.
The questions were centered around current services, perception of the authority, and potential service types.
Responses showed that customers would like faster travel options within and between communities, expanded evening service, and support a transition to electric vehicles.
"It's actually really exciting, we got a variety of surprising answers," Caine said. "We had some kind of conception as to what the answers would have been and it was nice to see that we were surprised by our customers."
There are currently 12 bus routes that run from Great Barrington to North Adams and Williamstown with a Dalton and Hinsdale loop. On weekdays, buses run from 5:45 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ridership is up 16 percent from last year.
When asked if the BRTA is a valuable public service in the region 37 percent "strongly agreed" and 69 percent "agreed," which was an encouraging response for the transit authority.
Some 72 percent of respondents would like to see buses go to more locations with longer routes, even if it meant fewer stops on the route.
When asked if they prefer BRTA focus on providing better connections and locations within the county or focus on connections outside the county, 69 percent said the focus should be on better connections within the county before looking outside of the county.
The survey then allowed respondents to choose either an express or regional bus service between communities or a door-to-door taxi-style service and 66 percent favored the express or regional option.
Two possible options were evaluated for regional connections: An express bus that quickly connects Berkshire County communities with each other and a regional bus that connects to locations outside of the county and includes neighboring transit systems.
"So if we picture like a Peter Pan sign service, you get a central downtown location, and then your next stop is the next central downtown location," Caine said about the regional bus. "Its entire purpose is to move folks between areas as quickly as possible."
About 49 percent of respondents prefer the express bus and about 19 percent prefer the regional bus; 12 percent had no preference. This was an unexpected response for the BRTA.
"And that is not quite the response we have thought it was going to be when we had discussed the survey," Caine added. "I pretty much hypothesized that we might see more folks wanting to go outside than within but half were pretty set on the express bus."
The most enticing hypothetical connection to a place outside of the county was Pittsfield to Northampton and faster travel times were chosen as the most important amenity.
A majority of responses also reflected a desire for BRTA to use alternative energy vehicles in the amount of 60 percent. The majority also claimed would be more likely to travel with BRTA with the greener option and pay a higher fee.
"Effectively, folks, we have a high perception of value in the community, which is great, but the results also indicate some room for improvement," Caine said about the results as a whole.
The survey was not intended to draw hard conclusions but in response, the BRTA will be reviewing its services and possibly evaluate where improvements can be made.
Board member Douglas McNally felt that the survey showed a great need for more evening service.
"I think the survey gave us a loud and clear message that the evening services are valued," he said.
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