By Tyler Maheu
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, Vt. — The residents of Windsor are about to have much more mobility.
Southeast Vermont Transit (SEVT aka MOOver) has announced via press release that Windsor has been chosen to operate a microtransit pilot. Funds for the project have come from a grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Microtransit is Uber, with a bus,” said SEVT CEO Randy Schoonmaker during a Friday afternoon phone interview. According to Schoonmaker, there will be five microtransit pilots like Windsor’s in the state. The others are in Barre, Manchester, Middlebury, and Morrisville.
When picking which towns to put the microtransits in, Schoonmaker said that Springfield and Windsor were the two main focuses. “We did a feasibility study for Springfield and Windsor,” he said. “Springfield was ultimately deemed too expensive, plus they have a bus service. Windsor does not.” He continued, “Windsor was seen as a great chance to build something from scratch.”
The microtransit will reportedly be a small bus or a van that can seat up to seven people at a time, if no wheelchairs are on board. The all-wheel drive vehicles will have the capacity for two wheelchairs at a time, with a wheelchair lift in the back. Riders will be able to book the free ride either online, by calling SEVT, or via an app. Schoonmaker stated that all rides must be booked in advance, and the vehicles will only travel the town of Windsor. Hours of operation have not yet been set.
According to the press release, the pilot’s first phase is an introduction of the concept to Windsor’s residents, followed by a “multi-layered public input process on unmet transportation needs in Windsor and what the new system should look like.” Stages following this will look to draft a design of the system, present to the town again, and then work on marketing. “It is very important as we build this new system to get everybody’s input,” said Schoonmaker. Initial public meetings to discuss this new project will occur September 14, 2022, at 6 PM and September 17, 2022, at 11 AM. Both will take place at the Town of Windsor Welcome Center.
If Windsor’s microtransit is a success, that could spell hope for other similar public transit forms to take place in the area. “They are doing another feasibility study somewhere in our territory, which includes Southern Windsor and all of Windham County,” said Schoonmaker.
At this time, the microtransit hopes to officially launch in early 2023. More information is available at https://www.moover.com/windsor-microtransit/ or by calling SEVT at 802-463-2474.
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