Jeffrey Zesiger: Why not free shuttle service in advance of Main St. redo?

The upper end of Main Street, Northampton.

The upper end of Main Street, Northampton. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Published: 03-21-2024 6:06 PM

Modified: 03-22-2024 7:41 PM


Having worked on King Street in Northampton during the major road rebuilding there 10-plus years ago, I know how challenging travel will be when the downtown is redone next year.

Businesses need easy access for customers, and parking and traffic will likely be difficult.

Could Northampton fund a free shuttle service that would comfortably take people up and down Main Street and Pleasant Street in any type of weather? It could connect peripheral parking to the downtown. For example, it could start at the E. John Gare parking garage downtown and end at the lot behind the old Registry of Deeds building.

This could be tried now before construction begins and allow easy access to shops that won’t depend on parking close to those shops. It also would decrease congestion, especially when the construction starts.

Jeffrey Zesiger

Northampton