News and Updates

Advance Transit Increases Red Route Frequency for Improved Rider Convenience

Posted on

Advance Transit (AT), the Upper Valley’s fare-free public transit provider, is increasing the frequency on its popular Red route starting Monday, September 30th, 2024. The Red route, which connects Lebanon and West Lebanon with stops at Miracle Mile and the Route 12A shopping plazas, will operate every half hour from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays. Evening service will continue to run hourly until 8:50 pm.

“The Red route is a vital service for many community members who rely on it for work commutes, errands, and accessing essential resources,” says Adams Carroll, Advance Transit Executive Director. “This increased frequency will provide greater flexibility and convenience for riders, allowing them to plan their trips more easily.”

The Red route is a popular choice for riders who need reliable transportation within Lebanon and West Lebanon. The increased frequency will benefit:

  • Commuters: More frequent service will allow riders to better match their bus schedule to their work hours.
  • Errand Runners: Quicker bus arrivals make it easier to accomplish multiple tasks within a shorter timeframe.
  • Those Relying on Public Transit: Increased frequency means less wait time and a more efficient way to access essential services.

The Red route serves a variety of locations, including:

  • Lebanon (at Lebanon City Hall)
  • Miracle Mile Plaza
  • West Lebanon (at Kilton Library)
  • Glen Road Plaza
  • Target Plaza
  • Upper Valley Plaza
  • BJ’s
  • Walmart
  • Shaws
  • Romano Circle

For a full list of stops served by the Red Route, please download the AT bus schedule and route map at: https://advancetransit.com/bus-schedules/

For more information, contact Trish Palao, Director of Marketing and Development, at tpalao@advancetransit.com or (802) 295-1824.

Press Release: “40 Forward: A History of Advance Transit” Exhibition Opens at the Kilton Library on October 12

Posted on

Advance Transit (AT) and the Kilton Library have partnered to present a history exhibition in honor of Advance Transit’s 40th anniversary. 40 Forward: A History of Advance Transit will be on display at the Kilton Library in West Lebanon, New Hampshire beginning Saturday, October 12. This exhibition examines AT’s evolution, from its humble beginnings as a program of the Upper Valley Senior Citizens Council to becoming a major regional transit agency with fare-free bus service. It is a reflection on the impact of community-driven work and a celebration of growth in the Upper Valley.

The exhibition will include the following elements:

  • History of AT Timeline: Follow the path of AT’s role in the Upper Valley through a timeline that walks through the major milestones of the transit agency.
  • Evolution of AT: View various artifacts that reflect the growth and changes of AT, including bus stop signs, vehicles, rider resources, and more.
  • Read with AT: Check out AT-recommended transit-related books and learn about the impact that public transit has in our communities, from large bustling cities to small rural towns.

The exhibition will kick off with a family-friendly opening reception on Saturday, October 12, 10:30am-12:00pm. While viewing the exhibition, visitors can also enjoy family story time, arts and crafts, and light brunch fare and refreshments.

This year, Advance Transit celebrated 40 years of service in the Upper Valley. Since its founding on January 12, 1984, AT has become a crucial part of the fabric of our towns, ensuring accessible transportation and connecting people with essential resources and each other. The journey has been incredible, filled with accomplishments and obstacles. AT has grown from 3,157 trips in its first month of service to over half a million annual trips today. It has expanded from a small fleet of school buses to over 30 city buses, including four electric buses.

Advance Transit is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE public transportation in Upper Valley communities of Hanover, Lebanon, Canaan, and Enfield in New Hampshire and Hartford and Norwich in Vermont. AT is committed to offering a crucial service that increases access, expands mobility, operates sustainably, and strengthens communities. In recent years, AT has expanded its services, introduced electric buses to its fleet, and developed helpful rider tools. Today, with over 14 million passenger trips, AT stands as an integral part of the Upper Valley.

“With 40 Forward, we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible work of AT’s staff, thank our loyal riders and funding partners, and recognize the transformative impact of fare-free public transportation on the Upper Valley,” said Adams Carroll, Advance Transit Executive Director. “We hope the timeline, artifacts, and transit books curated for this exhibition will inspire people to hop onboard with us for the next forty years as we pursue our vision of an Upper Valley where transportation is a bridge, not a barrier.”

For more information, contact Trish Palao, Director of Marketing and Development, at tpalao@advancetransit.com or (802) 295-1824.

Press Release: Advance Transit Introduces New Pink Route, with Express Service between Hanover and Lot 9, and Additional Local Service to Centerra Park

Posted on

Advance Transit, the Upper Valley’s fare-free public transit system serving communities in Vermont and New Hampshire, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Pink route, providing frequent weekday service between Hanover and Lot 9 with additional local trips to Centerra Park.

During peak commuting hours in the morning and afternoon, the Pink route will offer an express commuter service between Hanover and Lot 9. From mid-morning to early afternoon, the Pink route will provide local bus service and extend its trip to Centerra Park, with stops at River Valley Club and the Lebanon location of the Co-op Food Stores.

The Pink route will roll out in two phases:

  • Phase 1, Trial Service, Thursday, August 1
    The service will be available for the community to use. During this time, rider feedback will be collected, and route performance will be monitored. Schedules and routes may change based on data collected during this period.
  • Phase 2, Official Launch, Tuesday, September 3
    The service will officially launch, with an updated schedule and route map that incorporates rider feedback collected during the trial service phase.

Developed in partnership with and supported by Dartmouth College, this new route will offer enhanced connectivity, ensuring reliable transportation for residents, students, and visitors. Commuters traveling between Hanover and Lot 9 will benefit from easier access to parking facilities and connections to other bus routes. A transfer with AT’s Blue route will be available at DHMC on local service trips. This service also aims to address transit and parking needs as construction and development projects continue in the region.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Pink route,” says Adams Carroll, Executive Director of Advance Transit. “This route is part of an important transportation demand management strategy to reduce congestion and competition for parking in Hanover. And our new service to Centerra will make destinations like the Co-op Food Store, Dartmouth Hitchcock Pharmacy, River Valley Club, and the Lebanon District Court more accessible than ever before.”

As with all Advance Transit routes, the Pink route will be fare-free and open to the public. All Advance Transit vehicles are equipped with lifts, kneelers, or ramps to assist riders who use wheelchairs or have difficulty using the bus steps. More information about Advance Transit’s policies and complementary paratransit service, ACCESS AT, can be found online at advancetransit.com/access-at.

For route details, schedules, and real-time updates, visit advancetransit.com/pink-route.

Advance Transit 40th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 22, 11am-2pm

Posted on

Advance Transit invites you to our 40th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, June 22, 11 AM to 2 PM, at our Transit Operations Center located at 120 Billings Farm Road, White River Junction, VT.

Take part in fun and memorable activities for transit lovers of all ages. 

  • Bus Ride through Bus Wash: Take a spin on one of our buses and drive through our bus wash.
  • Touch-a-Bus: See what it’s like behind the steering wheel of a bus.
  • Guided Garage Tour: Get a behind-the-scenes look at our operations center.
  • Transit-Inspired Crafts: Get creative with an arts and crafts activity, courtesy of rePlay Arts.
  • Games and Prizes: Play games inside our garage and enter our raffle for a chance at a prize.  
  • Food Truck: Enjoy an array of tasty offerings from the Sustainable Eats food truck.
  • CAKE: Be there for the cake cutting and have a slice to celebrate.

Click here for a schedule of activities.

It’s a day for family, friends, and fun as we celebrate our shared journey. Hope to see you there!  

Service Alert: Starting Monday, June 17, no service to some stops due to the College Street closure

Posted on

Starting Monday, June 17, until Saturday, August 31, 2024, there will be no service to the following stops due to the College Street closure in Hanover, NH:

  • Reed Hall
  • Rollins Chapel
  • Steele/Wheeler
  • Burke

The Brown, Green, Orange, Yellow, and Dartmouth-Hanover shuttle will be affected during this period.

Riders wishing to stop at Dartmouth College can use the stops at Vail, Maynard Street, Webster Street, Parkhurst, and Main & Allen Street. Additionally, for the Green and Brown lines, riders can use the stop at West Street. Please note that the Green and Brown lines do not stop at Main and Allen, except the Saturday Green route service.

Advance Transit Celebrates 40 Years of Service with Community Celebration at Transit Operations Center

Posted on

White River Junction, VT – This year marks a significant milestone for Advance Transit (AT), the Upper Valley’s fare-free public transit service, as it celebrates 40 years of dedicated service. To commemorate this momentous occasion, AT is thrilled to invite the community to a special anniversary event.

Join us on Saturday, June 22, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the Van Chesnut Transit Operations Center, located at 120 Billings Farm Road in White River Junction, Vermont.

This family-friendly celebration will offer fun and memorable activities, such as:

  • Bus Ride and Wash: Take a spin on one of our buses and enjoy a special passenger experience that ends with a drive through our bus wash.
  • Touch a Bus: See what it’s like behind the steering wheel of a bus! Children (and adults) can climb, sit, and play in one of three types of vehicles: a 30’ diesel bus used on AT’s fixed-route service, an electric bus that was newly added to our fleet, and a cutaway used for AT shuttle service. Don’t forget your cameras for this photo opportunity!
  • Guided Garage Tour: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the garage of your local bus agency’s transit operations center! From bus lifts to our electric charging infrastructure, it’s a unique chance to have a glimpse inside the world of transit.
  • Transit-Inspired Crafts: Get creative with an arts and crafts activity that taps into the joy that buses can bring, courtesy of rePlay Arts, a community-based arts organization located in White River Junction.
  • Food Truck: Enjoy a quick bite or lunch at a food truck on site, with offerings for sale.

Advance Transit is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE public transportation in Upper Valley communities of Hanover, Lebanon, Canaan, and Enfield in New Hampshire and Hartford and Norwich in Vermont. AT is committed to offering a crucial service that increases access, expands mobility, operates sustainably, and strengthens communities.

Since its inception on January 12, 1984, AT has been a critical thread in the fabric of our towns, ensuring accessible transportation and connecting people. From its humble beginnings as a program of the Upper Valley Senior Citizens Council to its evolution into a larger agency, AT has grown alongside the communities it serves.

In recent years, AT has expanded its services, introduced electric buses to its fleet, and developed valuable rider resources. Today, with over 14 million passenger trips, AT stands as an integral part of the Upper Valley.

“We are immensely proud of the journey we’ve taken to reach this point,” said Adams Carroll, Advance Transit Executive Director. “The unwavering support of our staff, riders, community partners, and donors has been the cornerstone of our success. As we celebrate these 40 incredible years, we look forward to continuing our mission and remaining a key link in our communities.”

The anniversary event is not just a celebration of AT’s past but also a look forward to its future. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together, reflect on the shared achievements, and envision the next steps in AT’s journey.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of our story. Here’s to many more years of service! We hope you will join us at our celebration to commemorate this milestone.

For more information, contact Trish Palao, Director of Marketing and Development, at tpalao@advancetransit.com or (802) 295-1824.

Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment

Posted on

Advance Transit, Inc. gives notice that pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 5311, Non-Urbanized Transportation Program, Preventative Maintenance Program, Rural Technical Assistance Program and Marketing, and the Vermont State Operating Assistance Program, the opportunity is offered for public comment on a proposed Public Transit Program in the Towns of Canaan, Enfield, Hanover and City of Lebanon in New Hampshire and the Towns of Hartford and Norwich in Vermont.

Said project consists of continuation of the existing public transportation services provided within these municipalities by Advance Transit during state fiscal year 2025.

Written comments should be submitted to Adams Carroll, Executive Director, Advance Transit, Inc., P.O. Box 1027, Wilder, Vermont 05088. Comments must be received by May 3, 2024.

Around Town: Local events, March 15-16

Posted on

Make the most of your weekend with these upcoming events in the Upper Valley, all easily reachable via AT buses.

A Little Lunch Music: Julie Ness and Friends
📅 Friday Mar 15, 12:00- 1:00 PM EDT
📍 Upper Valley Music Center (8 South Park Street, Lebanon)
🚌 Take the Blue or Red bus

Enjoy this free concert, featuring a fusion of classical, Americana, and bluegrass music.

Opera Action Figures Premiere Screening & Artist Reception
📅 Friday, March 15, 5:30PM-6:30PM
📍 JAM (5 South Main Street, White River Junction)
🚌 Take the Orange or Yellow bus

Thetford-based twin sisters, Amy and Terry Lawrence create stop motion animations that bring well known operas, musicals, and songs to life with humor and thrift.

Karaoke Pajama Party
📅 Friday, March 15, 6:00PM-8:00PM
📍 Spark! Community Center (59 Hanover St, Lebanon)
🚌 Take the Blue or Red bus

Jam out in your jammies and enjoy breakfast for dinner!

Story Time
📅 Saturday, March 16, 10:00-11:00 AM
📍 Still North Books (3 Allen St, Hanover)
🚌 Take the Saturday Blue-Red or Saturday Green bus

Gather round to listen to picture books on the March theme of St. Patrick’s Day.

Shamrock Shuffle 5K in Lebanon, NH
📅 Saturday, March 16, 11am-4pm
📍 Lebanon Opera House & Colburn Park (Lebanon)
🚌 Take the Saturday Blue-Red bus

Join in the race to help benefit park development & enhancements, special projects, and adult & youth programs.

Maker Drop-In
📅 Saturday, March 16, 1-4pm
📍 Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth (6 East Wheelock St., Hanover)
🚌 Take the Saturday Blue-Red or Saturday Green bus

Get creative with a a self-guided artmaking activity. Materials provided and open for all ages.

Don’t miss out on these fantastic events! Visit the planning organization’s website for more details.