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PVTA increases frequency on P20 line

Date: 6/26/2015

SPRINGFIELD – The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) Advisory Board unanimously accepted a proposed plan to improve the frequency of its P20 route on June 24. The P20 travels to the Springfield Bus Terminal, Riverdale Road, the Holyoke Mall and downtown Holyoke.

The P20 currently runs every 30 minutes. With its approval, the bus will run every 20 minutes.

Josh Rickman, PVTA manager of operations and planning, told Reminder Publications that this slight change will make the ride more consistent.

“By increasing frequency, we are helping riders, and we have the opportunity to increase ridership. The more frequent it is, the more likely it is that someone will use that service,” he said.  

The increased frequency for the route came with a proposal by the PVTA to not introduce an additional route. The X94 route would have ran from Five Town Plaza in Springfield to the Eastfield Mall, through Indian Orchard to the Ludlow Big Y. The X94 “has less population density and not as strong  a connection” and would not serve as many riders as the P20, Rickman said.

According to the PVTA’s proposal, P20 carries 83,210 passengers per month. This high density of the route is what sparked the demand for change, Rickman said. Other routes with similar popularity run on a 20-minute frequency, so Rickman said it was the logical next step.

The PVTA hosted public hearings and allowed for public comment through email and phone calls. Rickman said this change is one the riders made clear was wanted.

“The reaction from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Most people have said there’s a need to increase frequency on the P20. It’s a benefit to current riders,” Rickman said.

The public is not alone in its excitement about the increased service.

“The PVTA is very excited about increased frequency and reliable services. The P20 is a strong line in the Pioneer Valley,” Rickman said.

The changes to the route will become effective on August 30.