GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - A new ride-share program in Great Barrington aims to help people in seven Berkshire County towns get around.

The TriTown connector started as a pilot in 2023. It's leader, Tate Coleman, has been involved in Great Barrington transit since he was 13 when he noticed there weren’t any bus stop signs. 

“I had written a letter to the editor, and as well as Bob Malnati, the BRTA administrator and the town manager in Great Barrington at the time," Coleman said. "I just figured it would be a great way to help boost ridership. Anyway, I got to work on that project and everybody thought it was a great idea, so if you look in Great Barrington, we now have 27 bus stop signs. I got to help design the signs and figure out where they are placed.”

When it comes to his current project, Coleman said he saw the need for public transportation in the area to expand access and mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as more workforce transportation. 

“One of the big needs that we saw were workforce transportation," he said. "So it’s no secret that many of our local, especially service industry and hospitality industry employers, have trouble filling all their open jobs, and one part of that issue is those workers don’t have transportation to work. You know if you can’t get to the job, those roles won't be filled.”

TriTown hit a record ridership last month with over 1,400 trips. They have about 20 drivers and seven vehicles, and hope to keep expanding with more funding. Those funds come from state and federal grants.

“There are other people who just simply can’t walk to a bus stop or can’t get to a bus stop - they are elderly or they have another physical disability that prevents them from getting to a bus stop," Coleman said. "So we can pick them up right in front of their house or in their driveway, which is really helpful.”

Friday morning, TriTown driver Julia Erickson picked up frequent rider Sean Norwood, who uses the service to go to work or shop in town.

“I recommend it and I think it’s great,” Norwood said.

The fares are $2 for a one-way trip or $4 for multitown trips. They run seven days a week for 12 to 15 hours a day in Great Barrington, Sheffield, Monterey, Egremont, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge and New Marlborough.

TriTown has a website and an app called TripShot people can use to call and book a ride.