SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - With Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno calling for an end to the PVTA’s free bus ride system over safety concerns at Union Station, city leaders got a firsthand look at the system Monday afternoon.

The Try Transit Program has offered free rides on PVTA fixed-route buses and vans since 2022 and thousands of people depend on it every day.

On Monday, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez boarded the PVTA bus at Main and Cumberland streets and got off at Union Station to talk to bus riders and drivers about their experience with the program.

Last week, Mayor Sarno said he wants to halt the Try Transit Program after he saw a ‘mass disturbance’ at Union Station. He says dozens of juveniles were wreaking havoc and threatening Springfield police officers.

Gonzalez says that he agrees that the city must hold young people accountable for their actions. However, in a statement, he said “ending affordable busing is not a solution in preventing disturbance.”

On Friday, PVTA said their free fare programming will continue until further notice at the direction of their advisory board.

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