On July 8, Congressman John Olver (D-Mass), Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) and Congressman Richard Neal (D-Mass), along with the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $745,689 for the Pioneer Valley (Mass.) Transit Authority (PVTA) to establish a state-of-the-art interactive passenger information system. The funding was awarded as part of the Bus and Bus Livability Grant Program administered by the Department of Transportation.

The Passenger Information System will give seniors and mobility impaired riders 24/7 access to real time traveler, trip planning, scheduling and customer service information.

The new automated system will also proactively send transit service notifications such as next bus; paratransit call ahead; and travel service advisories to passengers using voice, text and email messaging.

"This funding makes public transit more predictable and accessible for bus riders in Pioneer Valley. No longer will seniors and mobility impaired riders have to guess when their vehicle will arrive. They will now receive a call when the bus is minutes away and can await their trip in the safety and comfort of their own home,"  Congressman Olver said.