Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno Does Not Currently Support Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s Proposed Fare Increases

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that he does not currently support the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s (PVTA) proposed fare increases signaling that the City of Springfield will vote no on the pending proposals to increase the transit authority’s fares.  The PVTA Advisory Board’s votes on the proposed fare increases are scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Noon, at the PVTA Advisory Board meeting taking place at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Office, 60 Congress Street, 2nd Floor, Springfield, MA.  

The City of Springfield’s representative to the PVTA Advisory Board serves as the Board’s Finance Subcommittee Chairperson. Board Members had been receiving projections from PVTA Officials indicating the Authority was facing a $1.8 million shortfall for the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget; prompting the PVTA’s Administration to recommend the proposed fare increase.   

In a recent memo to Advisory Board Members, PVTA Administrator Mary MacInnes indicated that the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget is balanced, stating that over the past month the amount of additional state funding for Fiscal Year 2013 had fluctuated greatly. Administrator MacInnes cited the sources of the additional funding as the Mini-Transportation Reform Bill and additional funding allocated by the legislature in the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget for the Regional Transit Authorities.  Administrator MacInnes also noted that after a review of overcrowded routes, it was determined that an additional $94,833 would need to be expended to eliminate the most chronic overcrowding problems.  This amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget that will be voted on during Wednesday’s meeting.

“I was concerned about the proposed fare increases because of the impact it would have on many Springfield residents who utilize the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority as their sole means of transportation,” stated Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “Based on the information indicating the Transit Authority’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget is balanced I cannot in good conscience currently support the proposed fare increases.”

Mayor Sarno also referenced the legislation currently pending before the state legislature aimed at assisting the MBTA and regional transportation authorities as an additional source of funding for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.  “I want to thank the Western Massachusetts Legislative Delegation and their colleagues for providing this additional funding,” added Mayor Sarno.