Connecticut River Transit now operates the daily commuter bus schedule from Springfield to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) using the Job Access Reverse Commute grant. This bus transports passengers who park in the designated Park & Ride locations from Bellows Falls, Springfield, Ascutney, and Hartland to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth College and Centerra Plaza. This route is very valuable to the State of Vermont, the Connecticut River Valley region, and to those who want to conserve energy. It helps reduce traffic jams and vehicle emissions in the Hanover, Lebanon area. It also expands employment options for many in the region by providing reliable transportation to and from work daily.

The Springfield to DHMC route started in August 2000. John Rashford finds the bus a convenient and money saving way to commute. He said “I’ve been riding the T&V Bus from Springfield,VT to the Hitchcock Medical Center almost from the very beginning ... I was the fourth person to start taking the bus (all at Springfield), and the first full time rider on the original 7:00-4:05 run which coincided nicely with my regular work schedule, 7:00-3:30. Now I only drive 11 miles round trip per day, instead of the 85.6 miles I drove for years!”

DHMC employee, Barbara DeCelle said “that the Job Access bus serves not only employees of the Medical Center, but it also accommodates construction workers, shoppers, students, dialysis patients, and those seeking medical assistance through the Center. Passengers are relieved to eliminate the parking problem with all the construction going on at the Medical Center and in Hanover. Passengers can be assured of competent drivers and concern for their well-being. Our ridership has increased.”

Other employees see the bus as a valuable way to commute and want to support Vermont Public Transportation. Barbara Hall said “I live over the river in Claremont and travel Monday - Friday to the Ascutney Park and Ride where I take either the 6:15 a.m. or 6:55 a.m. bus to Dartmouth-Hitchcock. I return on either the 4 or 5 p.m. bus depending on my work schedule. December of this year will be the 2-year mark for me as a commuter. Prior to that I drove a leased car daily. I turned in my 3 yr leased vehicle in May and did not sign up for another. You can imagine the savings I now have due to using the Job Access bus service - no car payment, no excise taxes, no insurance, and free bus service to work. I think the new buses are terrific - we were getting a little crowded as more people realized the value of the bus service.”

Janine Hodge, a new DHMC employee, chooses to ride the bus “because of the terrible traffic going to DHMC in the morning and at night.” She went on to explain,“This is my third day riding the bus. I love it. The bus is nice and the people are friendly.”

The Springfield to Lebanon & Hanover buses not only serve DHMC employees, they also serve other employees, shoppers, students, patients, and others seeking medical assistance through the Medical Center.

More importantly, this public transportation service provides reliable transportation for those seeking to better themselves economically. Potential employees and job seekers choose to ride the Connecticut River Transit bus to DHMC, where they can easily make connections to Hanover and other employment locations in the Lebanon area. This service is a tremendous boost to the economy as well as a great incentive to people who do not want to drive or are not able to drive. It opens up travel and employment avenues for people who would otherwise be limited to where they live.