Shuttle connects Midd to Burlington

Author: Rachel Norton & Sharah Shaikh

Addison County residents need not look any further for a convenient and efficient way to get into Burlington. Chittenden County Transit Authority (CCTA), in association with Addison County Transit Resources, began operating the Burlington LINK Xpress on Oct. 11, which offers two round trip rides from Middlebury to Burlington everyday. The two shuttles that are currently in operation, each with 20 seats, make stops at New Haven Junction, Vergennes, North Ferrisburgh, Charlotte and Shelburne. The current fee is three dollars each way, although CCTA is considering raising the price to four dollars in order to make profit. The first three years of operation will be funded by federal grant money, whereas from then on the fate of the shuttles lie in the hands of riders.

The shuttles depart from Merchants Row in Middlebury at 6:15 and 7:15 a.m. and arrive at Cherry Street in Burlington. They then depart Burlington at 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Since the service is relatively new, representatives from both ACTR and CCTA are working on ways to tweak and advance the service to attract even more riders. Jim Moulton, executive director of ACTR, notes that the company plans to "tighten up [the schedule] a little bit, and still serve the people we want to service." CCTA is in the stages of planning additional routes that go to Rutland as well. Maryann White, marketing and public affairs manager for the CCTA, is optimistic, noting, "We're aggressively marketing the service, and hoping that people try it out."

Students feel fairly optimistic about the service, although skepticism about the hours it operates seem to be a deterrent to some.

Benjamin Ostler Hanna '08 has "not used it," but he "would because [he] doesn't have a car.

Freshman Maegan North agrees; "I would pay the three dollars. I don't have a car and so far I've been to Burlington five times. The service makes me want to go to Burlington more often."

The shuttle program comes after the success of the ACTR shuttle to the Snow Bowl that was also recently put into service. Commenting on that, Moulton said that "the Snow Bowl route is going great gangbusters."

With increased publicity and routes, prospects for the Burlington LINK Xpress look promising as a cheap alternative method of transportation into Burlington.