Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) oversees and coordinates public transportation in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, offering fixed-route bus service, paratransit service, and senior van service. PVTA was created by Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws in 1974. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, PVTA serves Hampden and Hampshire counties, and provides connecting service to CTtransit in Hartford County, Connecticut, to FRTA in Franklin County, to BRTA in Berkshire County, and to WRTA in Worcester County. It is the largest regional transit authority, and second largest public transit system in Massachusetts after the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, providing service to over 11 million riders annually across 24 municipalities in the region, with about 70% of all riders using the system as their primary mode of transit.

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Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
Union Station, a multi-modal transportation center in Springfield featuring local and intercity bus, train, and taxi service, as well as a parking garage.
Founded1974 (1974)
Headquarters2808 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01107
LocalePioneer Valley, Massachusetts
Service areaHampden and Hampshire counties
Service typeBus, demand response
Routes46 (as of January 2023)
Hubs
Depots
  • Cottage Street Operations and Maintenance Facility
  • Main Street Operations and Maintenance Facility
  • Northampton Operations and Maintenance Facility
  • UMass Bus Garage
Fleet186 buses, 144 vans
Annual ridership8 million (FY2024)
Fuel typeDiesel, gasoline, battery-electric
Operator
  • DGR Management, Inc.
  • University of Massachusetts Transportation Services
  • Hulmes Transportation Services
  • MV Transportation
AdministratorSandra Sheehan
Websitehttps://www.pvta.com/

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) oversees and coordinates public transportation in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, offering fixed-route bus service, paratransit service, and senior van service. PVTA was created by Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws in 1974. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, PVTA serves Hampden and Hampshire counties, and provides connecting service to CTtransit in Hartford County, Connecticut, to FRTA in Franklin County, to BRTA in Berkshire County, and to WRTA in Worcester County. It is the largest regional transit authority, and second largest public transit system in Massachusetts after the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, providing service to over 11 million riders annually across 24 municipalities in the region,1 with about 70% of all riders using the system as their primary mode of transit.2

Organizational structure

As per Section 25, Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws, regional transit authorities in Massachusetts are not permitted to directly operate their service, but must instead contract with other entities to operate transit service. Contractors and their staff are based at various vehicle depots dispersed throughout the service area.3

The Springfield Area Transit Company (SATCo) operates the southern portion of PVTA's service area, servicing Hampden County. SATCo, located at 665 Cottage Street in Springfield, is managed by DGR Management. All SATCo fixed-route buses are numbered in the 1000 series.

The Valley Area Transit Company (VATCo) operates the central portion of PVTA's service area. All of its routes originate from Northampton, providing connections to the UMass Transit service area via Route 9, and to the SATCo service area on the other side of the Mount Tom Range via Routes 5 and 10. VATCo, located at 54 Industrial Drive in Northampton, is managed by DGR Management. All VATCo fixed-route buses are numbered in the 7000 series.

A PVTA articulated bus operating Route 31 at the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center source ↗

University of Massachusetts Transportation Services operates PVTA's routes through the Five Colleges area in eastern Hampshire County and neighboring towns, with most of the routes centered around UMass Amherst, the largest ridership generator in the service area. UMass Transit Services is a department within the University of Massachusetts Amherst.4 The UMass Transit garage is located on-campus at 185 Holdsworth Way, Amherst. All UMass Transit fixed-route buses are numbered in the 3000 series.

The fixed-route van shuttles (Ware Shuttle, Palmer Shuttle, and Nashawannuck Express) are operated by Hulmes Transportation Services, located at 15 Bridge Street in Belchertown. These routes are operated by vans numbered in the 1200 series.

ADA Paratransit Service and Senior Van Service is provided by MV Transportation for the entire service area. MV is based at 2840 Main Street in Springfield. All paratransit vehicles are numbered in the 5000 series.

The three Western Massachusetts transit authorities – the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, the Franklin Regional Transit Authority, and the PVTA – began operating weekday-only intercity routes branded as "Link413" (after area code 413) in January 2026. Initial service included a Pittsfield–Northampton route.5

Routes

Springfield-area

These routes are operated by the Springfield Area Transit Company (SATCo), except for the Ware Shuttle and Palmer Shuttle, which are operated by Hulmes Transportation Services.

Route Route Name Notes
G16 Chicopee / Sumner Avenue-Allen Street-Canon Circle
G27 East Springfield via Carew St / Belmont Avenue - Dwight St
G38 Springfield Plaza via Liberty St / King St - Westford Circle Also serves Springfield Registry of Motor Vehicles.
B49 Plainfield Street Serves Wason Medical Offices.
G510 Dickinson Street-Jewish Home-Longmeadow Connects with CTtransit 905 (Windsor Locks - Enfield Express) at MassMutual - Bright Meadow Campus, Enfield, CT.
B611 Ludlow via Bay St
B712 Wilbraham Big Y-State St-Boston Rd
R1013 Westfield / WSU / West Springfield via Route 20
P1114 Holyoke Community College Express
B1215 Stonybrook Express
R1416 Feeding Hills-Springfield Some trips serve Heritage Nursing Home and Agawam Industrial Park.
B1717 Wilbraham Big Y-Worthington St-Wilbraham Rd
G1918 Holyoke-Montcalm-Chicopee Replaces former X90A service between downtown Holyoke and Chicopee Big Y, via Montcalm St and Memorial Dr.
P2019 Holyoke-Springfield via Holyoke Mall
P2120 Holyoke-Springfield via Chicopee
P21E21 Holyoke-Springfield Express via I-391
R2222 Holyoke-Grattan-Chicopee Replaces former X90B service between downtown Holyoke and Chicopee Big Y via Grattan St and Montgomery St.
B2323 Holyoke-Westfield via Holyoke Community College
R2424 HTC-Holyoke Mall via Northampton St Revised in August 2025 to operate two-way service in Holyoke along Northampton St.
R2925 Holyoke-South Hadley Transfers are available at Mount Holyoke College to 38.
G73E26 Springfield-Northampton Express Express service via I-91 serving Springfield Union Station, Holyoke Mall, and Northampton Academy of Music. P20E was eliminated when this route was introduced.
X9027 Inner Crosstown Operates as a Springfield crosstown connector, connecting Chicopee Big Y and East Longmeadow Big Y via Chicopee Falls, Liberty St, Walnut St, and White St.

Transfers are possible to G1, G2, G3, B6, B7, B17, X92, and X94.

X9228 Mid-City Crosstown Operates as a Springfield crosstown connector. Serves Union Station, Mill Street, Island Pond Rd, Independence House, Raymond Jordan Senior Center, and East Springfield Memorial Industrial Park. Transfers are possible to G2, B6, B7, and B17 along the streets it operates on exclusively; transfers are also possible to G1 and G2 along Main St in downtown Springfield and to most Springfield-area routes at Union Station.
X9429 Outer Crosstown Connects Ludlow Big Y to East Longmeadow Big Y via East St in Ludlow and Parker St in Springfield, with transfers possible to G1, G2, B6, B7, B17, and X90.
WS30 Ware Shuttle Connects to B7 and B17 at Wilbraham Big Y.
PS31 Palmer Shuttle Some trips run express service between Palmer Big Y and Springfield Union Station.

Amherst-area

These routes are operated by UMass Transit Services (UMTS), except for 39 and AG, which are operated by MV. PVTA buses operated by UMass Transit (except for route B79) do not charge fares. Many routes (more specifically, the 38 and 39) are operated primarily for students and staff of the Five College Consortium, and as such have reduced service when classes are not in session and on weekends.

Route Route Name Notes
3032 North Amherst / Old Belchertown Road Serves Valley Medical Center from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm on weekdays and noon to 4:30pm on weekends, upon request
3133 Sunderland / South Amherst Transfers with FRTA Route 23 at Sugarloaf Estates for service to Greenfield
3334 Puffers Pond / Big Y and Stop & Shop
3435 Campus Shuttle (Northbound): Mullins Center via Computer Science Building / Orchard Hill via Sylvan Only operates on weekdays during full service periods
3536 Campus Shuttle (Southbound): Orchard Hill via Butterfield / Mullins Center via Southwest Only operates during full service periods
3837 UMass (Haigis Mall) / Amherst College / Hampshire College / Mount Holyoke College Operates a no school schedule when Five College classes are not in session.

Transfers are available at Mount Holyoke College to R29.

3938 Smith College / Hampshire College Only operates when Five College classes are in session.
4539 UMass / Belchertown Center via Gatehouse Rd Operates Monday - Friday.
4640 UMass / Whately Park & Ride via South Deerfield Center Operates Monday - Friday.

Connection available to FRTA Route 31 at Whately Park and Ride

Interlined with Route 31. There are a total of two trips providing service to South Deerfield and Whately.41 The first trip (morning) travels to Whately via Sunderland Road as Route 31/46, before continuing to Sugarloaf Estates, where it begins a southbound 31 trip. The second trip (evening) travels from Sugarloaf Estates to Whately as Route 31/46, before returning to Sugarloaf and starting a southbound 31 trip.

B7942 Amherst-Worcester Intercity Service Three round trips every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, two round trips every Sunday. Timed to connect with MBTA Framingham/Worcester Line services
PG43 Pelham-Greenfield Operated in a van between the Pelham Community Center in Pelham and Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, with stops in Amherst Center, UMass, Sunderland Center, and downtown Greenfield. Weekday service only.

Northampton-area

These routes are operated by the Valley Area Transit Company (VATCo), except for the Nashawannuck Express, which is operated by Hulmes Transportation Services.

Route Route Name Notes
39E44 Smith College / Mount Holyoke College Express Only operated during weekdays when Smith College and Mount Holyoke College classes are in session.
R4145 Northampton / Easthampton / Holyoke Community College / Holyoke Mall
R4246 Northampton / Williamsburg
B4347 Northampton / Hadley / Amherst Operates different school and no school schedules (school schedule is only operated when Five College classes are in session). When fares are being charged, and if while class is in session, students, staff, and faculty of the Five Colleges can ride for free by presenting an ID associated with one of the institutions.48
B43E Northampton / Hadley / Amherst Express Express service between downtown Northampton and UMass with limited local stops in downtown Northampton and on Route 9 near the Hampshire Mall. Serves all local stops between Haigis Mall and Amherst College. Only operated during weekdays when Five College classes are in session. When fares are being charged, students, staff, and faculty of the Five Colleges can ride for free by presenting an ID associated with one of the institutions.48
R4449 Florence Heights via King St and Bridge Rd
B4850 Northampton / Holyoke via Route 5
B4951 Holyoke-Ware
NE52 Nashawannuck Express (Easthampton)
90453 Pittsfield-Northampton Operated as part of the Link413 brand.


See also

See also

References

References

  1. 2018 MassDOT Annual Report on Regional Transit Authorities (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2019.
  2. "Funding for Pioneer Valley Public Transit Improvements Restored". CLF Blog. Boston: Conservation Law Foundation. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019.
  3. "Maps of PVTA Service Area". Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  4. "Transit - Transportation Services - UMass Amherst". Umass.edu. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  5. "Link 413 Service to start January 28, 2026" (Press release). Berksire Regional Transit Authority. 24 January 2026.
  6. "G1" (PDF).
  7. "G2" (PDF).
  8. "G3" (PDF).
  9. "B4" (PDF).
  10. "G5" (PDF).
  11. "B6" (PDF).
  12. "B7" (PDF).
  13. "R10" (PDF).
  14. "P11" (PDF).
  15. "B12" (PDF).
  16. "R14" (PDF).
  17. "B17" (PDF).
  18. "G19.pdf" (PDF). PVTA.
  19. "P20" (PDF).
  20. "P21" (PDF).
  21. "P21E" (PDF). Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
  22. "R22.pdf" (PDF). PVTA.
  23. "B23" (PDF).
  24. "R24" (PDF).
  25. "R29" (PDF).
  26. "G73E" (PDF). PVTA. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  27. "X90" (PDF).
  28. "X92" (PDF).
  29. "X94.pdf" (PDF). PVTA.
  30. "Ware Shuttle" (PDF).
  31. "Palmer Shuttle" (PDF). Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  32. "Route 30 : North Amherst / Old Belchertown Rd" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  33. "Route 31 : Sunderland / South Amherst" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  34. "Route 33 : Puffers Pond / Shopper Shuttle : Weekday" (PDF). Pvta.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  35. "Route 34 : Campus Shuttle / Northbound" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  36. "Route 35 : Campus Shuttle / Southbound" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  37. "Route 38 : MT Holyoke / Hampshire / Amherst / Umass" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  38. "Route 39 : Smith / Hampshire/Mt Holyoke" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  39. "Route 46 : Belchertown Center / UMass" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  40. "Route 46 : South Deerfield / UMass" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  41. "Route 46 - South deerfield / Whately park & ride / Umass" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  42. "Route B79 : Amherst–Worcester Intercity Service" (PDF). Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  43. "PG.pdf" (PDF).
  44. "39E" (PDF).
  45. "Route R41 : Northampton / Easthampton / Holyoke Community College / Holyoke Mall" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  46. "Route R42 : Northampton/Williamsburg" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  47. "Route B43 : Northampton / Hadley / Amherst" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  48. "PVTA Schedules". www.pvta.com. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  49. "Route R44 : Florence Heights via King St and Bridge Rd" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  50. "Route B48 : Northampton/Veterans Park To Holyoke Mall" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  51. "B49" (PDF). PVTA. 30 March 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. "Route NE : Nashawannuck Express (Easthampton)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  53. "Link413_904-Schedule". PVTA. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links