BRTA Holding Public Sessions for More Bus Service

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) is proposing to add new evening bus service to additional weekday and Saturday fixed routes. 
 
At the October 26, 2023 meeting, the BRTA Advisory Board voted to proceed with a public comment period to gather customer feedback on the proposed additional service. Visit https://berkshirerta.com/2023/10/31/brta-new- evening-service/  to view the proposed new evening service and provide input.
 
BRTA will be hosting 3 in-person informational public sessions to review the proposal, receive comments, and answer any questions from attendees. Each session will be 90 minutes and held in different locations throughout the county. All of these meetings are held on a bus route for accessibility for everyone.
  • Monday November 13 at 6 PM at UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams.
  • Wednesday November 15 at 1:30 PM at the BRTA's ITC, 2 nd floor Boardroom, 1 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield.
  • Friday November 17 at 11 AM at the Great Barrington Fire Station, 37 State Road, Great Barrington.
Printed copies of the proposal will also be available inside the ITC at the Information Center.
 
Written comments can be submitted to the BRTA via US mail, email, or in person at the ITC.
 
US Mail: BRTA,1 Columbus Avenue, Suite 201, Pittsfield, MA 01201 and email: info@berkshirerta.com.
BRTA Proposed Evening Service FY2024 Phased Service Change Implementation
 
Phase 1 proposals:
Weekdays from the ITC
• Route 2: two new roundtrips: 6:30pm, 7:30pm
• Route 11: four new roundtrips, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00p,
• Route 15: two new roundtrips, 7:30pm, 8:30pm
• Route 21x: replace with Route 921
• Route 21: remove Glendale timepoint, add Main Street Great Barrington timepoint
• Route 34: (all days) revert Ocean State Job lots to Demand Service only
• Route 921: new route -- four daily round trips, 5:30am, 7:30am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm
 
Saturdays from the ITC
• Route 3: From Williamstown Rotary one new roundtrip: 6:45pm
• Route 4: one new roundtrip, 7:30pm
• Route 5: three new round trips, 6:30pm 7:30pm, 8:30pm
• Route 11: four new roundtrips, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00p,
• Route 12: four new roundtrips, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm.
• Route 15: two new roundtrips, 7:30pm, 8:30pm
• Route 21x: replace with Route 921
• Route 921: new route – two new round trips, 5:30pm, 7:30pm
Phase 2 proposals - All Phase 1 service proposals, plus:
 
Weekdays from ITC
• Route 3: From Williamstown Rotary two new roundtrips: 7:45pm, 8:45pm
• Route 4: one new roundtrip, 7:30pm
• Route 5: three new round trips, 6:30pm 7:30pm, 8:30pm
 
Saturdays from ITC
• Route 1: two new roundtrips: 6:30pm, 7:30pm
• Route 2: two new roundtrips: 6:30pm, 7:30pm
• Route 34: From NA Walmart two new roundtrips: 7:30pm, 8:30pm (returns to ITC as Route 1 at 9:30pm)

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If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Veterans Mark 50 Years Since Vietnam War End

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — County veterans gathered over the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War's conclusion, recognizing the horrors that soldiers endured long after returning home.

Master of ceremonies Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra said when most Vietnam veterans returned, there were no tributes, recognition, speeches, parades, or even handshakes.

"For many of them, it was a horrible return home from Vietnam in a very chaotic time," he said to a crowd in Park Square on Saturday, National Vietnam Veterans Day.

The Vietnam War officially ended 50 years ago in May 1975. Fifty-two years ago, the last American troops departed Vietnam. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designated March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

"We're here to join together as a people, to honor the brave men and women who have stood in defense of our country and for all the countless men and women who are still serving in harm's way all around the world," Vaspra said.

He explained that this day provides the opportunity to pay special tribute to the many Americans who served in the war, the 58,281 names memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserve.

"It is time to say thank you and honor all Vietnam veterans," he said.

During his remarks, Vaspra explained that many veterans have been able to re-enter society, go to school, find a job, and raise a family, but their war experience never went away.

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