Advance Transit Celebrates 40 Years of Service with Community Event at Transit Operations Center

White River Junction, VT – This year marks a significant milestone for Advance Transit (AT), the Upper Valley's fare-free public transit service, as it celebrates 40 years of dedicated service. To commemorate this momentous occasion, AT is thrilled to invite the community to a special anniversary event.

Join us on Saturday, June 22, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the Van Chesnut Transit Operations Center, located at 120 Billings Farm Road in White River Junction, Vermont.

This family-friendly celebration will offer fun and memorable activities, such as:

• Bus Ride and Wash: Take a spin on one of our buses and enjoy a special passenger experience that ends with a drive through our bus wash.
• Touch a Bus: See what it’s like behind the steering wheel of a bus! Children (and adults) can climb, sit, and play in one of three types of vehicles: a 30’ diesel bus used on AT’s fixed-route service, an electric bus that was newly added to our fleet, and a cutaway used for AT shuttle service. Don’t forget your cameras for this photo opportunity!
• Guided Garage Tour: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the garage of your local bus agency’s transit operations center! From bus lifts to our electric charging infrastructure, it’s a unique chance to have a glimpse inside the world of transit.
• Transit-Inspired Crafts: Get creative with an arts and crafts activity that taps into the joy that buses can bring, courtesy of rePlay Arts, a community-based arts organization located in White River Junction.
• Food Truck: Enjoy a quick bite or lunch at a food truck on site, with offerings for sale.

Advance Transit is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE public transportation in Upper Valley communities of Hanover, Lebanon, Canaan, and Enfield in New Hampshire and Hartford and Norwich in Vermont. AT is committed to offering a crucial service that increases access, expands mobility, operates sustainably, and strengthens communities.

Since its inception on January 12, 1984, AT has been a critical thread in the fabric of our towns, ensuring accessible transportation and connecting people. From its humble beginnings as a program of the Upper Valley Senior Citizens Council to its evolution into a larger agency, AT has grown alongside the communities it serves. In recent years, AT has expanded its services, introduced electric buses to its fleet, and developed valuable rider resources. Today, with over 14 million passenger trips, AT stands as an integral part of the Upper Valley.

"We are immensely proud of the journey we've taken to reach this point," said Adams Carroll, Advance Transit Executive Director. "The unwavering support of our staff, riders, community partners, and donors has been the cornerstone of our success. As we celebrate these 40 incredible years, we look forward to continuing our mission and remaining a key link in our communities."

The anniversary event is not just a celebration of AT's past but also a look forward to its future. It's an opportunity for the community to come together, reflect on the shared achievements, and envision the next steps in AT's journey.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of our story. Here's to many more years of service! We hope you will join us at our celebration to commemorate this milestone.

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