The South County Connector Service cuts in the News

Wow, thank you so much to everyone who has signed the petition, we are close to 300 signatures!

We received a call from State Representative Leigh Davis, she's very concerned about the cuts to the SCC, especially since she fought for funding microtransit (Bill H.4054: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4054 and she is on the case!

I wanted to share an update with two recent articles about the South County Connector Service:

Residents concerned about South County Connector service cutbacks
In the Berkshire Edge, Written by Shaw Israel Izikson August 11, 2026 (The petition got a mention! Thank you!)

South County Connector isn't being dissolved, Great Barrington says amid service cuts
By Talia Lissauer, The Berkshire Eagle August 15, 2026

I also wanted to share this quote from The Berkshire Eagle article:

"...Another rider, Rene Wood, stressed that it’s important to remember that it is not a Great Barrington service.
'It is not owned by the town of Great Barrington, nor the town manager’s [office],” Wood said. “I really want to encourage the members of the various seven communities that make up the South County Connector to look at taking things into their hands and look at saving this service before it is so far down the road that it continues to hurt more people and is not salvageable.' "
.....

Besides the cuts in hours, perhaps the most painful cuts have been that entire towns have cut the SCC service (Lee and Pittsfield).  If anyone has specific stories to share about how this has affected you or someone you know,  you can add them as a comment on the Petition, or if you live in the area and can make it to town meetings to share your story there.

Upcoming meetings

Pittsfield:
Community Development Board  August 18, 2026, 6:00 PM
Pittsfield City Council meetings take place in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of Pittsfield City Hall, located at 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
https://www.pittsfieldma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14

Lee:
Select Board Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM (Town Hall Courtroom)
Planning Board: 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 6:00 PM (Town Hall Courtroom)
Lee Town Hall, 32 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238
https://leema.gov/about-lee/pages/town-board-meeting-schedule

Great Barrington:
Selectboard meeting August 24, 2026, 6:00 PM (I believe the Town Hall Manager will be giving a presentation related to transportation)
The Selectboard’s Meeting Room at Great Barrington Town Hall, 334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
https://www.townofgbma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=22,23

......

Also - if you know of anyone who might be interested in working for the SCC, the job listings have been posted:
https://www.townofgbma.gov/550/Job-Opportunities

The Town of Egremont is also looking for a van driver for the Council on Aging van for seniors (part time):
https://www.egremont-ma.gov/205/Positions-Available

Thank you all so much!

Anna