BRTA Granted $670K For Buses And Roof

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
05:03PM / Tuesday, October 02, 2012Print Story | Email Story

The BRTA is receiving $670,000 in federal funds for new vans and building maintenance.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority received more than a half-million dollars four new vehicles and to put a new roof over its head.

Gov. Deval Patrick and the state Department of Transportation announced a federal earmark of $13.2 million to 10 of the state's regional transit authorities on Tuesday, with $670,000 of that going to the Berkshires.

The money comes from three years of unused federal transportation funds and will provide the Berkshire authority with four new 14-passenger vans with fare boxes — at a cost of $420,000 — and a $250,000 roof and fencing for its 34-year-old maintenance facility in the Downing Parkway.

"The Obama administration has made a smart decision to put unspent dollars into necessary projects that create jobs," Patrick said in a prepared statement. "These projects reflect our commitment to improve public transportation for residents across the commonwealth."

The funds are part of the federal "We Can't Wait" initiative allowing states to reuse unused federal earmarks from 2003 to 2006 for highway and transit projects. The state Department of Transportation chose the "shovel-ready" projects for funding.

"Regional Transit Authorities provide a critical service to residents of every region of the commonwealth who depend on transit to get to work and school," said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey. "MassDOT is pleased to partner with the RTAs in moving these projects forward."

Eleven projects in the state's 28 RTAs were funded. The projects are fully funded by the federal government and does not require state or local matches.

Tags: Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority, federal grants, transportation,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Quick Cash

Get help fast when you need it the most! Greylock Federal Credit Union. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

CDBG ADAMS HOUSING REHAB

Funded by a CDBG, the program supports eligible residents to make home repairs. Click for more info!

www.town.adams.ma.us

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Democrats Host Candidate Forum Friday

06:29PM / Monday, April 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Democratic town committees and political action groups will sponsor a countywide Democratic candidates forum this Friday, April 10.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church located at 74 First St.

The event will feature elected state and federal officials, especially those running for seats in the 2026 election. Challengers for those seats will also address attendees.

Working in coalition with the Berkshire Democratic Brigades, Berkshire Indivisible, Greylock Together, Indivisible Berkshires, and the Rural Freedom Network, the Democratic town committees of Adams, Dalton, Great Barrington, Sheffield, and Stockbridge anticipate that this event will educate voters about candidates' positions on political issues.

In addition, the forum will give voters the opportunity to network and to meet candidates and discuss legislation that will improve Berkshire County's economy, promote environmental justice, and reduce economic disparity in the region.

Candidates committed to attend include District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, 1st Mass congressional candidate Jeromie Whalen, U.S. Senate candidate Alex Rikleen, and 1st Berkshire representative candidate Andrew Fitch.

Also speaking will be representatives from the campaigns for Edward Markey for U.S. Senate and for Maural Healey and Kim Driscoll for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

View Full Story