MOOVER PROPOSES CHANGES TO ITS WRJ, HANOVER 7 LEBANON ROUTES

Release Date: May 12, 2024

     WILMINGTON:  Southeast Vermont Transit (aka The MOOver) is proposing changes to three routes that connect the I-91 corridor to the VA Hospital, Hanover and Lebanon. The changes become effective Monday, June 3, 2024.

            The MOOver operates the 71 Route from the I-91 Exit 6 Park & Ride to DHMC, Colburn Hill, and Heater Road Monday-Friday with one morning and one afternoon round trip. A second, later trip by the Route 72 bus goes to the same locations. The 73 Route goes from Exit 6 to the VA Hospital in White River Junction and to Webster Hall at Dartmouth College in Hanover. All three routes serve Exits 7, 8, and 9 Park & Ride lots as well.

SEVT proposes to blend the 73 Route into the morning 72 Route and the afternoon 71 route. The afternoon 72 Route and the morning 71 Route would not change. Stops at Centerra Park, LSI, Hypertherm, Etna Road, and NH Industries have been eliminated due to no or virtually no stop activity.

The MOOver has surveyed existing riders and has done bus stop studies on all three routes since February before drafting the proposed schedules.

“Ridership, especially since the pandemic, has dropped considerably. In 2016 we had four routes totaling 38,910 rides. In 2023 we did 16,470 rides, a 58% decrease,” said Randy Schoonmaker, SEVT CEO. “Our operating expenses have risen dramatically in that time, and it is no longer efficient or fiscally responsible to operate three routes.”

Public input is welcomed and can be given in three ways. Riders call 1-802-463-2474 Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm; e-mail randys@moover.com ; or go online at www.moover.com/customer-feedback/ . A copy of the schedule is below and onboard the 71, 72, and 73 buses.

A request from the public for a public meeting must be made via the e-mail or phone number above on or before May 24, 2024.