(JANUARY 2012) –  This spring, you’ll finally be able to step out of your single occupancy vehicle and on to commuter buses headed to/from Burlington or to/from Middlebury. Schedules, fares, and bus stop locations are now being discussed.

To learn more and have input on these decisions, attend a public hearing sponsored by the transit providers (CCTA and ACTR) at the Hinesburg Town Office on March 1 at 7 PM. For more information, contact Karla Munson of Hinesburg Rides at 482-2778.

(OCTOBER 2011) – Great News! The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has released funding through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. CMAQ funding can be used to support start-up of new public transportation services. Proposals for this funding are through an open, competitive state-wide process and the application deadline is November 11, 2011.

CCTA is working on an application for Hinesburg’s new bus service and will submit it prior to the deadline. An award of the funding should be announced sometime in December 2011 or January 2012. If we are awarded the funding, bus service could start as early as April 2012.

Hinesburg has set aside the Town’s matching funds for the past two years to meet our first year local match obligation and NRG Systems has pledged to cover the one-time capital costs for new CCTA buses. Keep your fingers crossed!

(APRIL 2011) – New Bus Update! On March 10, 2011, representatives of CCTA, CCMPO, NRG Systems, and Hinesburg Rides testified before the House and Senate Transportation Committees calling for $150,000 in CMAQ funding be included in the Transportation Bill for the “Hinesburg Commuter.” Our testimonies were well received by both Committees. Although CMAQ funding for new start-up services was not included in the final approved Transportation Bill, we are hopeful that there will be flexibility within the existing VTrans budget. If there is flexibility in the existing budget for new services, CCTA will submit an application for the Hinesburg Commuter. We should know more later this spring/summer. Keep your fingers crossed and we will keep you informed of progress.

(FEBRUARY 2011) – It has been almost a year since the Town of Hinesburg voted to join Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) and approve $12,796 towards the Town’s matching funding for six months of bus service. We had hoped service would start in 2011. Unfortunately, state and federal funding was not made available for new start-up bus routes this year. Two representatives from Hinesburg, Karla Munson and Jon Trefry, were appointed to serve on the CCTA Board of Commissioners. Hinesburg is still at the top of CCTA’s list to provide public transit and a priority.

CCTA has requested that VTrans include $135,000 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funding (80% share) in the SFY12 budget for the “Hinesburg Commuter” route. If this funding is approved, bus service could start as soon as February 2012. CMAQ funding is a competitive process for a limited amount of transportation funding throughout the state. We should know by May/June if CCTA’s request for funding has been approved. NRG Systems is still committed to provide 10% matching funds for capital expenditure to purchase two 28-passenger buses.

You, the voters, are being asked to approve $10,000 matching funds at Town Meeting on February 28 to help fund the implementation of bus service as soon as state/federal funds are available.

Letters of support from various other organizations have been sent to VTrans in support of funding. If you would like to write, please address your letter to Brian Searles, Secretary of Transportation, Vermont Agency of Transportation, One National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05633-5001 with a carbon copy to Sue Minter, Assistant Secretary of Transportation, same address.

If you have questions or need information, please contact Karla Munson at 482-2778 or email to karlamunson AT hinesburgrides.org

(DECEMBER 2009) – The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Addison County Transportation Resources (ACTR) have proposed to the Town Selectboard to provide weekday bus service from Hinesburg to Burlington and Bristol. This proposal was developed after extensive discussions with transportation providers, Hinesburg Rides, and NRG Systems, which has pledged support for local mass transit.

Proposed service would include two public bus runs in the morning and two in the afternoon, designed to support local residents commuting to Burlington and employees of area businesses commuting to Hinesburg. Bus service could start as early as 2011. The first step is for Hinesburg to join CCTA as a member township through a positive vote at Town Meeting in March 2010. As a member, Hinesburg would gain a seat on the CCTA Board of Directors, enabling CCTA and ACTR to pursue federal and state funding to subsidize this local bus service.

"Access to public bus service in Hinesburg would bring benefits to all local residents and businesses," says Hinesburg Rides Coordinator, Karla Munson. “You don’t have to ride the bus yourself to feel the difference it will make for our community.” Hinesburg mass transit would offer these advantages:

• Car-free access for Hinesburg-area residents to jobs, services, and support in Burlington and Bristol
• Convenient, reliable transportation for employees working for Hinesburg businesses and schools
• Enhanced community services to support local economic development and jobs
• Significant cash savings for bus riders who reduce their higher-cost car commuting
• Greater environmental sustainability through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lessened dependence on foreign oil