Pioneer Valley Transit Authority planning Amherst to Worcester bus service along Route 9

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is planning to add a new bus line – from Amherst to Worcester along Route 9 – and will be convening public hearings on this initiative, according to information made available on Wednesday.

“The route will begin in Amherst Center and end at Union Station in Worcester, with stops in most town centers in each community along the Route 9 corridor from Amherst to Worcester,” a report from a January PVTA meeting show

This would include nine communities along the route.

“This route will operate as a commuter route with a different fare structure than typical PVTA routes. Fares on this route are proposed to range from $3.50 to $9.00 depending on the origin and destination,” the report says.

The PVTA Advisory Board approved the idea on Jan. 20.

The idea was also discussed at the PVTA Route Sub-Committee meeting of Jan. 15, when they requested approval to convene public forums, which was granted by the advisory board on Jan. 20.

“Because this is a new route, public hearings will need to be held in the area,” the report says.

Heading east along Route 9 from Amherst is Belchertown, Ware, West Brookfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Spencer, Leicester and Worcester.