The Vineyard Transit Authority is announcing that all fares on the public bus route will be free for the winter, and through the summer season as well.
The free service officially begins Nov. 29, and will run until Sept. 30, during which no fares, passes, or tickets will be needed to ride the buses.
This marks the third year the local bus service has offered free service, but this will be the first time that summer service will also be free.
The initiative, officials say, will help the transit service offer more efficient service while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“By removing financial barriers to using public transit, we hope to encourage more residents and visitors to join us in making more eco-conscious choices, supporting our efforts to reduce emissions and protect our Island’s environment,” Elaine Miller, VTA board chair, said in a statement.
A $30 million grant from the Massachusetts Fair Share Funding made the expanded free service possible throughout the state. The Vineyard is getting roughly $1.8 million, said VTA administrator Angie Gompert.
“Eliminating fares will not only increase ridership, but will also create a more seamless and efficient system,” Gombert said. “With passengers no longer needing to scan tickets or deposit money, we can reduce dwell times at stops, making the system faster, and essentially allowing for more frequent rides.”
Riders who have recently purchased an annual pass, or other longer-term passes, can contact tickets@vineyardtransit.com to inquire about extending their passes upon the completion of the fare-free program.
This is great news! Can the bus run on an hourly schedule year round too please?
Bravo to the Vineyard Transit Authority! Free ridership will improve transportation options for those who need it most.
What a wonderful gift for Martha’s Vineyard! I’m assuming VTA Administrator Angie Gompert sought out this grant, with the support of the VTA board – thanks one and all. And Cici, to quote an old saying, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Let’s be happy with the $1.8 million and free service. Running the buses on an hourly schedule year-round is a horse of a different color!
This is not a free service. Taxpayers are on the hook for it. Do you really think the free service will go away in the future? It’s just another aspect of creeping Socialism across the island. Parents no longer have to feed their kids breakfast or lunch. The schools provide that. Parents no longer have to provide dinner for their kids. The food pantry will do that. Parents no longer have to provide transportation for their kids, the VTA will do that. And we wonder why businesses like the hospital and SSA can’t find employees!! No one needs to work anymore! This is Socialism folks, and it will destroy our community like it has countless others.
John, socialism isn’t necessarily worse than fascism.
A bus subsidy may not meet the threshold of socialism.
John, life is choices.
We the people have decided to fund public transportation with public dollars.
Tax funded education is pure socialism.
Good education requires good nutrition.
The SSA and the hospital can find employees, when they pay enough.
Please name the communities that have been destroyed by Socialism?
Jon
The roads the buses run on, socialism
The police patrolling those roads, socialism
The schools the students travel on those roads too, socialism
The highway dept that maintains those roads,socialism
The fire dept that travels that road to put out house fires, socialism
Shall I go on…
Comments are closed.