News and Updates

This weekend, skip the stress of traffic and parking! Jump aboard Advance Transit and explore the Upper Valley’s holiday markets, happening all around town.

Your Guide to This Weekend’s Markets (December 8-9)

AVA’s Holiday Exhibition and Sale (Blue-Red Route)

Now through Dec 30, AVA showcases the incredible work of local artists from Vermont and New Hampshire. Find unique gifts while supporting our vibrant artistic community!

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Bugbee Holiday Craft Fair (Orange Route)

Friday (1-5pm) and Saturday (9am-2pm) at the Bugbee Community Center. Support local crafters and enjoy a jewelry bazaar, a café, and more! All proceeds benefit Bugbee’s mission to help seniors age independently.

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Handmade Holiday Market at CraftStudies Studio & School (Green or Orange Route)

Saturday (10am-2pm), discover one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by over 20 local makers! From pottery to jewelry, find treasures that support our talented artisans.

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51st Annual Christmas Show & Sale in Lebanon (Blue-Red Route)

Running until Dec 24, explore the Lebanon Art & Crafts Association’s show for unique handmade gifts. Family-friendly and festive!

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2nd Annual WinterFest at The Junction (Green and Orange Route)

Saturday (9:30am-3:30pm), join the one-stop holiday shop benefiting Visiting Nurse and Hospice of VT & NH. Spread joy and support community programs!

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Winter Market Saturday at Putnam’s Vineyard (Orange Route)

From 10am-2pm, celebrate the holidays with a rotating Winter Market! Support local creators and find the perfect gifts.

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Visit Santa at Katie’s Cookies (Blue-Red Route)

From 1-3pm, don’t miss the chance to meet Santa! Bring the kids and make memories at Katie’s Cookies.

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Stay up to date on AT news and events

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Here’s your guide to an amazing weekend full of fun events, easily accessible via Advance Transit’s bus routes!

Thursday, December 7

Take the Orange or Yellow: Bingocize at Bugbee Senior Center, 9:30-10:30 AM. Combine exercise and health information with bingo! Registration required; call 802-295-9068.

Take the Blue or Red: TLC Family Resource Center Grand Opening, 4-6 PM at 24 Hanover Street. Celebrate with a ribbon cutting, take a tour, meet the staff, and learn more about this community resource!

Take the Blue: Dried Flower Ornament Making at RWB Community Center, 4 PM. Join Angie Axt for a class that’s sure to add some joy and beauty to your holiday.

Take the Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, or Downtown Shuttle: Crafters Corner at the Howe Library, 5:30-7 PM. Work on your current project and meet other crafty people. All mediums and levels welcome!

Friday, December 8

Take the Orange or Yellow: Coffee and Connections at UV Business Alliance, 8-9:30 AM. Network over coffee on the first Friday of the month!

Saturday, December 9

Take the Blue-Red, Orange, or Green Route: Upper Valley Traditional Music Jams at Kilton Library, 3-4:45 PM. Hosted by the Upper Valley Music Center, this free event is a New England Style jam of acoustic musicians of many level.

Take the Blue-Red, Orange, or Green Route: Multicultural Potluck by hosted by the Lebanon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission at Kilton Library, 3-5 PM. Celebrate Lebanon’s diversity through food! Bring a dish or just join the feast!

Hop on board and make the most of your weekend with Advance Transit!

Stay up to date on AT news and events

Subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest from Advance Transit.

• Receive service alerts
• Find out about events near AT routes
• Explore destinations near AT stops
• Stay informed of AT news
• Be in the loop on Upper Valley transit news

On Friday, December 1, starting at 7AM, there will be no bus service at the Court Street bus stop due to temporary street closure.

The Enfield-Canaan Commuter service will depart from City Hall instead.

Please note that the 5:15AM and 6:10AM Enfield-Canaan Commuter service will still leave from Court Street.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to ensure that you have a smooth and efficient commuting experience. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information.

Advance Transit (AT), the free public transit service in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, is excited to announce the launch of a suite of rider educational materials aimed at making public transit more accessible and encouraging its use within the community.

These new resources include a series of educational videos and a range of informative brochures designed to provide passengers with the knowledge they need to navigate the public transit system confidently and efficiently.

Rider Videos

AT has released a series of “How to Ride” videos which can be viewed on their YouTube channel, website, and Facebook account at the following addresses:

• www.youtube.com/@advancetransit
• www.advancetransit.com/how-to-ride
• www.facebook.com/advancetransit/videos

AT partnered with Junction Arts & Media (JAM) to produce the series of rider education videos. The “How to Ride” video series is designed to make the public transit experience more approachable and informative for new riders. Topics covered include trip planning, boarding and exiting the bus, making transfers, and using bike racks.

Rider Brochures

The following brochures offer key transit information and are available at AT’s Van Chesnut Transit Operations Center, inside AT buses, and at various organizations that serve the Upper Valley community, such as the healthcare centers, senior centers, and libraries.

• How to Ride: Read up on trip planning, boarding and exiting buses, making a transfer, and using the bike racks. It’s perfect for new or inexperienced riders looking to make greater use of public transit.
• Rider Tools: Learn about various resources available to ensure a smoother trip, such as the Transit app and accessing real-time bus information via calling or texting. This brochure equips riders with valuable tools for a seamless experience.
• The Benefits of Public Transportation: Get insights into the positive impact of using public transit. Discover facts and figures that highlight the environmental and societal benefits of choosing public transportation.

Businesses and organizations that are interested in displaying or distributing these brochures can receive copies by contacting Trish Palao, AT’s Director of Marketing and Development, by email at tpalao@advancetransit.com or by phone at (802) 295-1824, x205.

Support and Funding for Rider Resources

The creation of these rider resources was made possible through the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Mobility and Transportation Innovations (MTI) Grant Program. This program supports innovative strategies and projects that improve mobility and access to services, reduce the use of single-occupancy vehicles, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Through this grant-funded initiative, AT is committed to eliminating information barriers and building incentives for transit usage.

Other Rider Education Initiatives

The development of rider resources is part of Advance Transit’s wider effort to empower riders by providing information that will help them feel comfortable and confident when using public transportation. Over the past year, AT has worked toward this objective in a variety of ways — by gathering feedback about transit needs, collaborating closely with local organizations, and sharing service information with community members. Additional initiatives include the following:

• New bus stops signs: Earlier this year, AT replaced bus stop signs with a new design that now includes the name of the bus stop, the bus routes servicing that stop, and the direction in which the buses are headed. The signs also include a QR code that links to information on the planning tools available to AT riders.
• Guided bus rides: AT has led guided bus rides, offering the opportunity to explore the public transit system with ease. In addition to leading groups from Quail Hollow and Dartmouth College, AT partnered with Vital Communities to lead a guided transit adventure on its Red route.
• Community outreach: During the summer, AT had a table at the Lebanon Farmers Market, listening to feedback and answering questions. It also participated in other community events, such as the Hartford Community Coalition’s Annual Block Party in Hartford, VT and the National Bike to Work Day celebration in Lebanon, NH.
• Information sessions: AT has hosted a number of information sessions on site at the Van Chesnut Transit Operations Center. In the spring, an e-bus session offered details about the benefits of electric vehicles and their impact on the community and public transportation overall. In the early fall, a safety information session welcomed local firefighters to review information about e-buses and charging stations, as well as the procedures for responding to emergency situations.

In addition to these recent offerings, AT will be sharing more resources in the year ahead to empower potential riders and promote a transit-friendly culture. These forthcoming materials include an activity sheet to engage young minds and promote an early interest in public transportation, as well as videos that explore different stops on AT routes and further delve into the advantages of using public transit.

Advance Transit is dedicated to creating a welcoming, informative, and sustainable public transit experience for the community. We encourage all members of the community to explore these resources and embrace the benefits of public transportation.

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