Ideas and inspiration were bubbling for improving how we get around in Vermont when the Vermont Transportation Efficiency Network (VTEN) met with Transportation for Vermonters (T4VT) in Barre on September 26.
VTEN is a group of advocates, planners, and providers working together to reduce negative impacts and improve efficiency in Vermont’s transportation sector. Formed by the High Meadows Fund in 2010, VTEN is convened by Vital Communities and provides a forum for transportation professionals to network, collaborate, discuss opportunities, and celebrate success stories. T4VT is a diverse coalition of individuals, organizations, businesses and institutions committed to working together, creatively, and across sectors to achieve a sustainable, accessible transportation system for our rural state.
Over the day, attendees networked, learned about state legislative priorities, were updated on federal transportation measures, and then heard about Gopher Ride Services, an innovative new program in Washington County and some Orange County towns that offers discounted subsidized rides, fee-based market rate rides, and contracted rides.
The day’s official business began with T4VT representatives sharing what they see as the main current issues in Vermont transportation:
• The Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (VTrans) “rescission plan” submitted to the Vermont legislature to address a $7.5 million budget gap in the state’s transportation fund, which was caused by a lower-than-expected revenue forecast. The plan outlines specific spending cuts and highlights the need for new, equitable revenue sources (gas tax, mileage-based user fees, cap-and-invest programs). Participants praised legislators who supported DMV fee changes that helped to stabilize revenue.
• Support for employer-based transportation-demand management plans, commuter incentives, “right to charge” legislation, and EV and e-bike incentives.
• No cuts are anticipated for FY27 as Green Mountain Transit’s ridership is going strong and may set a record high. GMT is hoping to partner with VTrans to meet the service needs of state employees as work from home policies are updated to include more in-office days.
The group also heard from State representatives Mollie Burke of Brattleboro and Kate Lalley of Shelburne, both of whom serve on the House Subcommittee on Transportation, about issues before their committee this year. These include:
• Comprehensive funding is needed to support programs like e-bike and EV incentives.
• More signage and awareness are needed to make drivers aware of the 2024 law requiring drivers to give four feet of clearance when passing pedestrians, bikes, and other vulnerable road users.
• Discussions of affordability need to highlight the problems of our state’s great reliance on signle-occupancy vehicles for transportation.
• It’s hoped that new guidelines in July 2026 for Vermont’s Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) will connect transportation infrastructure with housing.
• What’s holding EV users back now isn’t anxiety about how far their cars can go on a charge, it’s how few chargers there are throughout the state.
Learning about Gopher Ride Services
The day also included a discussion about potential policy priorities T4VT could pursue, such as:
• Increased funding for active transportation and multimodal projects
• Infrastructure for biking and walking safely
• Support for municipalities and capacity building
• Support for electric mobility (EVs and e-bikes)
• Education, awareness, and cultural change
Federal transportation funding and policy loom large in plans for the state. Briefing the conference on this topic was Ethan Hinch, a senior policy analyst for U.S Senator Bernie Sanders. Hinch shared that:
• The federal administration is focused on cutting all programs that do not help the fossil fuel industry (EV, bike/ped infrastructure).
• Congress is preparing for the next transportation reauthorization bill (IIJA expires Sept 2026). Vermont US Senator Bernie Senator Sanders is focusing on ensuring VT has money for roads, transit, and bike/ped infrastructure.
• $600,000 added to Transportation Bill for volunteer driver programs that provide 250,000+ trips, many of which are healthcare-related so there is ongoing coordination with healthcare providers.
• Awaiting results of FTA grant ($9M) to upgrade the bus fleet; goal to have less than 20% of the fleet in “less than good” condition (currently ~30%).
• Public comment on the Public Transit Plan opens in October 2025.
• Lessons learned from microtransit pilots around the state include the finding that smaller, well-defined zones perform best; a new pilot in Springfield coming soon.
• Budget pressures continue due to declining gas tax revenue and inflation (rising costs of staff and construction). There was a $7M gap this fiscal year with worse projections for FY27 and FY28.
• Upcoming reorganization at VTrans: public transit, rail, and aviation will be grouped together.
The last presentation of the day was from Amanda Carlson, general Manager of Gopher Ride Services. Incubated by Capstone Community Action, an anti-poverty organization, Gopher was established in May 2023 and is operated by the nonprofit Community Rides Vermont, a public transit company and contracted transportation provider serving Washington County and neighboring towns in Orange County.
Funding is provided through revenue from market rate and contracted rides, grant funds from foundations, and private donors.
Gopher operates a fleet of electric SUVs and a staff of trained drivers conducting three ride service programs:
• Discounted rides for income-eligible individuals who are not being served by other existing public transportation options.
• Market Rate rides serve individuals with the ability to pay. Please see our Book A Ride page for more information.
• Contracted Services for businesses and institutions that need regular transportation services.
• About 30 percent of Gopher’s rides support commuters traveling to work.
Published 10/20/25