Cancelled bus line leaves students stranded

Author: Andrea Glaessner

To many students' dismay, the Middlebury Bubble has just lost a major escape route. The rumors are true: the Vermont Transit-sponsored Middlebury bus service has been terminated. Now it sadly seems the only way out of our "academic island in the mountains" is by foot or car. And with the monumental increase in gas prices (see "Amsterdam" below) neither option is desirable.

The Vermont Transit bus service is affiliated with the Greyhound Bus Service. Until recently, the transit line had a stop in Middlebury at the Dunkin' Donuts on Route 7. One would expect to find locals protesting the removal of what is for some the only means of transportation to and from Middlebury, a town whose name takes on a whole new meaning when there is no bus service in or out. But the only person who could offer any information about the cancelled bus service was a convenience store employee who supplied a phone number for whom to talk to about the vanished transit line.

The toll-free 800 number proved less than helpful. The operator curtly replied to inquries that "this is a ticketing office" and "she had been informed that all inquiries about the cancelled bus should be directed to the local politician."

Middlebury Town Manager Bill Finger explained how that this was a political matter and that "the town really doesn't have anything to do with it." According to Finger, Vermont heavily subsidizes Amtrak train service into Montpelier, Rutland and Essex Junction, and some of the train lines are in direct competition with the bus service, which receives little or no state subsidy. Vermont Transit cancelled its service in and out of Middlebury in an effort to cut costs and stay in business despite stiff competition with Amtrak.

Reactions to the cancelled bus service varied among students. Dado Derviskadic '08 summarized the attitude of the majority: "I couldn't care less. I don't take the bus." Jetblue, an airline that offers cheap one-way tickets to New York and Boston out of Burlington, is apparently the most popular alternative to a long ride on the Greyhound bus.

Other students were less ambivalent, particularly those without a car or unlimited funds. James Petsoulakis '06 used to take the Vermont Transit line out of Middlebury to get home to New York City. When asked how he reacted to the news that the bus route had been cancelled, Petsoulakis explained, "Personally I feel terrible. Now if you want to take the bus you have to go all the way to Rutland. This creates more pressure to try to find a ride and it just makes it that much harder to make it without a car. The bus was always a sure thing if I couldn't find a ride."

With the bus service gone, the question arises as to whether the College should step in and offer shuttles to nearby towns that do still offer Vermont Transit lines. But the College already subsidizes the Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) local line. On the website for ACTR, the news and events page recognizes that the generous sponsorship of Middlebury College allowed the transit line to offer the shuttle 'B' bus every morning throughout the summer. According to Executive Director of ACTR Jim Moulton, "We have found that many people [were] using the morning 'B' bus to get to work, so keeping it in service [during the summer] is a great community gift from the College and we are very appreciative."

Sadly, the Vermont Transit bus service out of Middlebury is long gone, taking with it the feasibility of a quick and affordable vacation, whether it is a trip home or simply a break from life in cowland. The Addison County Transit Line is still in operation, but the service only extends as far as Burlington. And as for getting to Rutland, the back of a police car is currently the only public transportation available, but the cost of that trip would obviously be higher than the value.