Vermont Public and VTDigger report on public transit funding crisis

Vermont Public partnered with VTDigger to cover housing and infrastructure issues in Vermont. This coverage highlighted the ongoing crisis in public transit, where bus routes are being eliminated or made less frequent due to funding challenges. Transit providers are struggling as pandemic-era federal aid has ended, leaving them with unstable budgets.

Public transit agencies are contending with rising healthcare costs and higher driver wages driven by workforce shortages. While the state Legislature has provided one-time cash infusions, transit providers have cut 15-20% of their service in recent years.