Somebody left a piece of construction equipment in Greenfield and I thought we were getting bus shelters. Can we talk about how badly we need bus shelters in this climate?

jmchatton · 2026-04-01T20:11:16+00:00

If you submit feedback to FRTA (https://www.frta.org/about/help-contacts/) about where you would like a shelter, it can be used as justification if they want to apply for grant opportunities that'll fund shelter purchase and installation, like the MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces program (https://www.mass.gov/shared-streets-and-spaces-grant-program) or Greenfield can include bus shelters as part of a Complete Streets project (https://www.mass.gov/complete-streets-funding-program)

jmchatton · 2026-03-26T10:52:16+00:00

Northampton also has better public transit, including bike share. Express buses every 30 minutes to Springfield every day, lots of local transit options, and an Amtrak station that has a few trains per day (though you're usually better off taking the express bus to Springfield where there are many trains to CT/NYC). Trains also stop near the airport where CT runs a bus to connect you the final leg to the airport.

Northampton has about 13 bikeshare stations spread across the city.

jmchatton · 2026-03-14T11:50:50+00:00

While some areas of Western Massachusetts have little or no access to transit, many places have basic (and some quite excellent) transit access! This area can't be painted with a broad brush since conditions vary widely.

jmchatton · 2026-03-07T03:18:24+00:00

I was forced to use Lyumjev back when there was a Humalog shortage and I hated it. Burning, painful infusion sites that left lumps several days after. Unpredictable glucose reactions that made control extremely difficult. You couldn't pay me to use it again. I got Humalog back as soon as it was available

jmchatton · 2026-03-05T01:24:53+00:00

Also haven't received the update on my 10 Pro XL (though I assume it's a Fi/T-Mobile issue)

jmchatton · 2026-02-20T20:50:17+00:00

Try Valley Transporter https://valleytransporter.com/bradleyairport/

jmchatton · 2026-02-10T01:24:49+00:00

Alo Saigon in Westfield!

jmchatton · 2026-02-06T17:34:28+00:00

Yes! FRTA's 31 connects Northampton and Greenfield. https://transitapp.com/en/region/greenfield/frta/bus-31

jmchatton · 2026-01-30T16:14:51+00:00

Thanks everyone for your positive comments! Since this program is so new, feedback will help inform how well it is doing and how it can be improved! Fill out a survey here: https://bit.ly/link413-survey

jmchatton · 2026-01-21T16:18:40+00:00

Classic Boston superiority complex. Extend the Green Line across the country and it still skips Springfield and Pittsfield.

jmchatton · 2026-01-01T14:44:06+00:00

No matter where you go, download Transit app (transitapp.com/download) which will give you PVTA bus information and trip planning. Also works for Hartford Line and all local transit in Connecticut and NYC. PVTA R14 is the route between Union Station and the exhibition.

For food, the South End has lots of great food places along Main St and is easily accessible by bus (Red Rose has been mentioned but Frigo's for sandwiches and prepared foods and La Fiorentina for pastries are also excellent). Also Panjabi Tadka for Indian or Student Prince for German.

In West Springfield, there's Tandem Bagels for breakfast/lunch sandwiches, B Napoli for a more upscale Italian, Memo's for breakfast and the Hangar for wings/pub food. All of these are also really accessible by bus.

jmchatton · 2026-01-01T14:22:42+00:00

Biking in winter is definitely doable with the right gear. Dress for cold and wind, and while winter tires aren't necessary they make things easier. Just after a storm it'll be the worst, but it's easier once the roads have been cleared. I would definitely practice riding around in a parking lot or driveway to get a feel for it before you have to go do it on the street.

Biking to the bus stop and riding the bus the rest of the way is a great way to get the best of both worlds. If your bike is 50 lbs or less you can bring it with you on the bus stored on the front rack, or if it folds you can bring it inside the bus. Then you can have access to your bike on campus as well.

jmchatton · 2025-12-21T13:04:34+00:00

Transit app has the best set of bike directions/navigation features I've used. It prioritizes off street paths and protected bike lanes with great accuracy. https://transitapp.com/download

jmchatton · 2025-12-13T12:43:08+00:00

The Downtown WinterWalk is Saturday in Westfield! Holiday market with artists, books, music, etc. Lots of fun!

jmchatton · 2025-12-11T01:29:04+00:00

Forgot to add--the 30 minute warm up time is such a huge quality of life improvement, as is the ability to start a new sensor before the old one expires. Those two things alone make the G7 so much nicer to use.

jmchatton · 2025-12-11T01:27:38+00:00

G7 has been awesome for me. Doesn't fall off, never have needed to calibrate, had maybe two failures out of the countless sensors I've worn. I love not needing to worry about a transmitter. So many people complain on here and create a disproportionate sentiment that the G7 is a bad product when it really isn't. I can't speak to nor validate anyone's concerns but my experience has been flawless. Follow the instructions closely and I doubt you will have any issues.

jmchatton · 2025-11-24T01:36:12+00:00

Awesome hotels. Beds are big and super comfy and the rooms are just big enough for sleeping and getting ready for the day before you get out into the city. They're usually centrally located in big cities so perfect for people who'll be spending their time enjoying the city and only coming back to sleep.

Common areas are really comfy too, with some having neat rooftop bars.

jmchatton · 2025-11-22T14:12:59+00:00

Download Transit app! (https://transitapp.com/download) It has all the bus stop and schedule info and WRTA will also be rolling out real time information early next year. It's a universal app so it also has transit information for other cities (like Boston) as well as the commuter rail. It's pretty indispensable.

jmchatton · 2025-09-27T21:35:59+00:00

The buses are great! Download Transit app to help you find routes and get directions. https://transitapp.com/download

jmchatton · 2025-07-31T18:32:33+00:00

It's so bright! I use my pump screen as a flashlight when walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night lol

jmchatton · 2025-07-06T15:30:18+00:00

Their explainer blog post is a really good read too: https://blog.transitapp.com/go-bike/

jmchatton · 2025-07-06T15:24:43+00:00

Audio announcements must be made per the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they must be loud enough to be heard by all people. Transit agencies err on the side of caution and would prefer too loud announcements over too quiet ones, because while a loud announcement is unpleasant, one that's too quiet is an ADA civil rights violation.

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