BRTA Awarded Grant to Expand Service Area

08:01AM / Wednesday, December 04, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) and Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) were awarded a $1,577,607 Regional Transit Authority(RTA) grant to facilitate connections between the PVTA and FRTA service areas.

The grant will support commuter service between Pittsfield and Northampton, service between North Adams and Greenfield, and increased frequency on current service between Greenfield and Northampton, announced the Healey-Driscoll Administration in a press release Tuesday.

"Residents across our state rely on Regional Transit Authorities to get to work, school, the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, and more. This funding will increase service options and make commutes easier, in addition to our recent investment to make service free at most RTAs," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration is committed to prioritizing improvements to transportation infrastructure and quality of life in our communities."

The BRTA partnership with PVTA and FRTA will launch in 2025 once MassDOT completes repairs on the intercity coaches the RTAs will use for this service.

This is part of $10 million in funding to nine RTAs for 10 projects that increase connections between transit routes and service areas throughout the state. The grants will allow RTAs to pilot new expansions, continue promising pilots, and improve existing connections.

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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.

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