 |
Edgartown, MA: Richard Doyle of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently presented the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) with the “FTA Region 1 Thinking Outside the Bus - 2008 Milestone Achievement Award”. The VTA reached the significant milestone of carrying over one million passengers (1,031,197) for the first time in its history during Fiscal Year 2008.
VTA passengers have kept it going into the new fiscal year, climbing aboard 261,735 times in July, a new record for the month. The backbone route of the transit system, Route #1 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, experienced the most significant increase in use. “In response to the heavy demand, we often needed to add a fourth bus to the route to keep up,” said Angela Grant, VTA Administrator. “While one extra bus has been on Route #1 for the past three years, this is the first summer that we’ve consistently needed to send out a fourth bus.”
The Island’s busiest August week may be a good chance to try riding instead of driving. During the four days of the Agricultural Fair, the VTA will be running additional bus service from Vineyard Haven and Edgartown to the Fairgrounds. Bus riders can get their hands stamped to receive a $1 discount off their admission to the Fair.
Bus passes are available at the Steamship Authority Terminals, Edgartown Visitors Center, VTA Operations Center in the Airport Business Park, and on-board the buses. Look for VTA ticket agents at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority bus circle and the Ocean Park stop in Oak Bluffs daily through late September and on weekends through Columbus Day.
| |
