SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A forum was held to address the transportation issues faced by residents in western Massachusetts. In many people's lives, transportation is a necessity to get to and from work, school, medical appointments, and other important locations, but at times there can be cha llenges. These challengesare being brought to attention at a forum led by The Western Massachusetts Transportation Network and Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. "We heard it's really hard to get from point A to point B if you don't have a car or if you if you want to get there in a different way. There's either a lack of service because of lack of funding or, you know, if people want to take a bike or walk or something, they may not feel safe on the roadways," said Pete Wilson, Senior Policy Director at Transportation for Massachusetts. Several Regional Transit Authorities are offering fare-free bus service, but advocates want to see funding be put towards adding more routes and making them run more frequently. "We need more people to be able to access food. And so right now in Springfield, for instance, there are food deserts. It's hard to get to the grocery stores. You have to take two or three buses. There's a bag limit on the bus," said Laura Sylvester, Public Policy Manager at Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. As a result of these transportation barriers, many initiatives are being developed by policymakers in order to alleviate them as soon as possible. A bill has been introduced by Massachusetts State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier to create a micro-transit commission that would study existing and emerging micro-transit services in the Commonwealth like vans or shuttles, which operate at any time of the day, making it easier for those who work late. "Working, you know, a third shift getting out, second or third shift, you're getting out of the hospital, you're getting out of the paper mill at 11 at night, and you don't have a way home and you literally cannot take that job," said State Rep. Farley-Bouvier. State Representative Bouvier says so far $10 million has been allocated for this project and she's seeking another $10 million. And each dollar invested in public transportation supports local economies in all parts of the state. Local News Headlines ‘Credit for Life’ readies Springfield students for real life UMass Amherst employees protest for fair pay to help make ends meet Forum addresses transportation issues faced by residents in western Massachusetts NOAA reports March 2025 as third warmest on record WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less