WILBRAHAM — Many people in Wilbraham rely on the buses operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. And while buses are free to riders right now, the town pays an assessment each year for the service. This year, the assessment has nearly doubled over last year, to nearly $85,000.
PVTA Administrator Sandra Sheehan explained that the bus used to turn around at the Eastfield Mall. When the mall closed, the PVTA surveyed riders and members of the community. Many of the responses that they received reflected that people were walking down Boston Road to the Big Y in Wilbraham, a distance of about one mile. In June 2024, the transportation company spoke with the owner of Big Y, which approved a plan to relocate the stop and turn around point to the supermarket.
“The ridership is very high,” Sheehan said, adding that after some initial adjustments to the exact location of the stop, the owner of Big Y is pleased because it brings potential customers to the store.
Each of the towns served by the PVTA is charged an assessment. While the town’s cost for the paratransit service is based on the number of trips taken to, from and within the town, the cost for fixed route service is based on the number of miles buses travel in that town as a percentage of the total miles in the PVTA’s service area. Each year, assessments are increased by 2.1%
Because the stop was changed, the number of miles traveled in Wilbraham was also updated. The latest data available showed that buses traveled 2,600 miles within the town limits, or 0.84% of the total miles traveled in all areas of PVTA service.
“When I found out our assessment had doubled, I was concerned,” said Select Board Chair Susan Bunnell.
She pointed out that, while Elder Services Director Paula Dubord serves on the PVTA’s advisory board, the town was not involved in the decision to move the stop to the Big Y, despite it having a financial impact on the town’s assessment. Bunnell also said there was no way to know if the riders were Wilbraham residents or from one of the surrounding communities, since the bus connects to other routes in the service area, including those that run to Springfield, Palmer and Ware.
However, Bunnell said the concern should be weighed against the potential opportunities and benefits, such as more people shopping and doing business in the town, which is good for its economy. Sheehan later noted that the route through Wilbraham had 23,000 riders last year, most of whom get off at Big Y.
Select Board member Marc Ducey noted that the nearby businesses benefit from the stop being at Big Y but questioned whether it benefits residents.
In the short-term, Sheehan said there are no plans to move the bus stop again but added that once the new shopping center is built at the former Eastfield Mall site, the PVTA will need to determine what service will be needed there. She also said that, because the assessment is based on proportional miles traveled, the town’s assessment may vary in future years based on the service in other communities.
Select Board member Michael Squindo asked about the fare-free model funded by the state. Sheehan said the $9 million in funding supported 10 months of free ridership, which expires in June, however, additional funding may allow for an extension. She said the state is planning to fund the program, which worked with 13 regional transit authorities to cover fares, for fiscal year 2026, as well.
Without the state funding, most people pay $1.50 per trip, with lower rates for seniors, children and people with disabilities.
