AMHERST — Public hearings begin today on likely service cuts to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, which is facing a possible shortfall in its budget because of expectations that the state will reduce or maintain current funding levels.
The one-hour hearings will be held at both 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
June 21, Amherst, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk,
June 27, South Hadley, South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St.,
June 29, Northampton, City Council Chambers, 212 Main St., and
July 5, Sunderland, Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St.
Possible route changes may occur on the:
M40 Minuteman Express, which runs between Northampton and Amherst;
Five College Route 39, which brings passengers between Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges;
X98 Crosstown in Northampton;
Route 46 running from Whately, South Deerfield and Sunderland to the University of Massachusetts campus;
Route R29 from Holyoke and South Hadley to the UMass campus; and
UMass-Amherst Campus Shuttle Routes 34 and 35.
Any public comments must be made by Tuesday, July 11. Those comments can be made at a public hearing, via email at comments@pvta.com, by telephone at (413) 732-6248 x235 or in person to PVTA Administrator Sandra Sheehan at 2808 Main St., Springfield.