BRTA's Fare Free Month Well Received by Community

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — During a time of inflationary costs of living, the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority boosted its December ridership by 20,000 with a free fare event.

Funded by a state grant, bus and paratransit services were of no cost from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31. This led to nearly 54,000 riders throughout the month, compared to last year's December ridership of around 34,000.

This was just below BRTA's goal of 55,000 riders but Administrator Robert Malnati is still happy with the result, as it allowed more people to use the transit authority’s services or discover them for the first time.

"Hopefully it helped the community at a time where it was needed with the inflationary pressures from everyday life," he said.

"And if this could be one way to remove some of that from some of our riders and also introduce the opportunity to people that maybe didn't know where we went and how the bus could fit their needs."

Malnati believes that the BRTA would have reached its 55,000 rider goal if not for a couple of snow storms that caused service shutdowns.  

"We had been trending the first quarter and even through October about 22 percent ahead of the previous year," he said.

"So we were trending in that positive direction as it was."

After being awarded, it was divvied between RTAs.

Last year, the BRTA offered free rides for one week but this was the first time it was able to offer them for an extended period of time.

The promotion was well received by the community, with some offering thanks to the transit authority.

For more information on the Berkshire Regional Transit authority visit berkshirerta.com.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.