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OCPC Awarded Grant to Study Regional 911 Dispatch Service in Seven Local Communities

BROCKTON - October 18, 2011

On September 26, 2011 the Massachusetts State Department of 911 awarded the Old Colony Planning Council a Fiscal 2012 State 911 Department Regional Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and Regional Secondary Public Safety Answering Point and Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC) Development Grant in the amount of $175,000 on the behalf of the communities of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Duxbury, Halifax, Kingston, Plympton and Whitman for the purpose of studying the feasibility of regionalizing 911 dispatch services within each of these communities.

The grant was awarded through a competitive application process and will be used to complete one feasibility study that will address at a minimum the following three scenarios: 1) the creation of a Regional Emergency Communication Center or Regional Public Safety Answering Point for the communities of Duxbury, Halifax, Kingston, and Plympton; 2) the creation of a Regional Emergency Communication Center or Regional Public Safety Answering Point for the communities of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, and Whitman; and 3) the creation of a Regional Emergency Communication Center or Regional Public Safety Answering Point for all seven communities.

The competitive procurement process of selecting a consultant to conduct the feasibility study will begin in the near term, with the results of the study expected to be completed by the Spring of 2012. For additional information please contact Eric Arbeene, Community Planner, Old Colony Planning Council at (508) 583-1833 x209 or at earbeene@ocpc rpa.org.

Brockton Area Transit Authority Launches New Automated Fare Collection System

BROCKTON - March 7, 2011

Reinald G. Ledoux, Jr., Administrator of the Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT), is proud to announce that BAT launched a new automated fare collection system on March 28, 2011. The new system was designed to fully integrate with the MBTA Charlie Card system and provides expanded discount pass options for BAT riders.

According to Mr. Ledoux, BAT Riders' Club members will have three new ways to save with the option to purchase a one-day pass, a seven-day pass or a 31-day pass. In addition, starting March 28th, BAT will accept the MBTA Charlie Card on all its buses. Charlie Card users will automatically receive a ten-cent discount off the full adult fare and senior citizens (age 60 and older), Medicare card holders and disabled patrons will receive an additional five-cent discount off the already reduced fare of half price. Cash will still be accepted, but riders who obtain and utilize the T.A.P. Charlie Card will enjoy these increased savings. MBTA Charlie Cards are available through the MBTA and at the new BAT ticket vending machines that will be available at the BAT Centre in late April of 2011.

"Although our fares will increase slightly for the first time in nine years, our new automated fare collection system allows us to offer more ways for our riders to save money," Ledoux said. "In addition, the overall experience will be more convenient, as our riders will experience increased speed of service and provide a better experience overall."

BAT has been working with Bridgewater State University's Office of Regional Outreach, as well as faculty and students, to help launch this new system. BSU's program contributions have focused on the areas of technology, research, marketing, and promotion.

For more information regarding BAT's new electronic fare system, discount options, new fares and how to get a MBTA Charlie Card, please visit www.ridebat.com, call 508-588-1000, or stop by the BAT Centre located at 10 Commercial Street, Brockton, Massachusetts to pick up a detailed program brochure.

Brockton Area Transit Goes Green with High-Tech, Hybrid Buses

BROCKTON - December 17, 2010

Continuing its quest to go "green", Brockton Area Transit Authority is placing three new high-tech, low floor, hybrid buses in service. Numerous city, state and federal transit officials gathered today at the BAT Intermodal Transportation Centre in Brockton to kick the tires, start the engines and take inaugural rides on the sleek new buses.

"Our mission is service," said Ray Ledoux, BAT Administrator, during the inaugural ceremony. "Our riders, the businesses and employers we serve, and our funding agencies expect us to be on time, on budget and technologically up to date. These passenger and environmentally friendly buses represent our commitment to communities we serve."

New Hybrid Buses for BAT

According to Mr. Ledoux, the electric/diesel hybrid buses get over fifty percent (50%) better fuel economy than their existing buses, which will reduce annual fuel costs by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per bus.

Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, Chairperson of the BAT Advisory Board, said that these buses are a welcome addition to the region's transportation infrastructure and that she is especially pleased that BAT was able to utilize funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to cover the entire cost of the project.

The wheelchair lift equipped buses will be rotated for use on all of BAT's routes and will be easily identified by the large green leaf and legend, "bat clean machine," on the side of the bus and the sky blue paint scheme along the top.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for BAT's New Hybrid Buses

Mr. Ledoux thanked Mr. Barry Koretz and David Seibert of BKA Architects of Brockton, MA who volunteered their time and expertise to design the eye-catching paint scheme that clearly differentiates the three "green" hybrid buses from the rest of the BAT fleet.

Mr. Richard Davey, Administrator, MassDOT Rail & Transit Division stated, "This investment in both the Brockton transit service and our environment helps keep customers moving, reduces operating costs and reduces fleet emissions. MassDOT is proud to support Brockton Area Transit in this and all of its important projects the keep Massachusetts on the move."

Mr. Ledoux also announced that BAT will team up with Ms. Virginia Lynch, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning and the Brockton Public School Department for a "name the bus campaign" that will allow students to participate in an essay contest to help BAT select names for the new hybrid buses.

The buses were manufactured by The Gillig Corporation of California at a cost of nearly $550,000 each and are powered by a clean, diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system.

Other recent BAT "green" initiatives have included installation of solar panels on the BAT Intermodal Centre and adjacent commuter parking structure.

The Brockton Area Transit Authority was established in 1974 and today provides 11,000 passenger trips a day. BAT's Intermodal Transportation Centre, adjacent to Brockton's MBTA Old Colony Rail Station, is Greater Brockton and the South Shore's transit hub, with a waiting area, dispatch and information center, retail vendors and commuter parking. BAT's seven-day week, fixed route service connects neighboring communities and Boston, as well as major industrial parks, colleges, medical facilities, shopping centers and commuter rail. BAT's dial-a-bat on-demand service is among the first coordinated paratransit systems in the nation and provides transportation to disabled and elderly individuals and to Boston medical facilities. Through its transportation provider network, BAT also serves human service agencies and businesses under contract. Information about BAT services is available at www.ridebat.com.

Creation of Old Colony Regional Economic Target Area

BROCKTON - November 23, 2010

OCPC Economic Target Area

Old Colony Planning Council Executive Director Pasquale Ciaramella today announced that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) has approved the creation of the Old Colony Regional Economic Target Area (OCPC ETA) at their November 22, 2010 meeting at the State Transportation Building in Boston, MA.

The Old Colony Regional Economic Target Area consists of the following communities: Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Pembroke, Plympton, and Whitman. It will seek to attract technology-based businesses to the region. It will allow these communities to offer Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) to existing businesses and new businesses. It will allow communities easier access to federal and state funding programs such as Brownfields Clean Up grants, Community Development Action Grants (CDAG), Local Initiative Program (LIP) for housing, Growth District Initiatives (GDI) grants, Mass Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Program (MORE), Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Small Town Rural Assistance Program (STRAP) and Public Works Economic Development Program (PWED) grants. The OCPC ETA application was prepared on behalf of the communities by Old Colony Planning Council staff under the direction of OCPC Executive Director Pat Ciaramella.

The Old Colony Planning Council would like to thank the following community, legislative and business leaders for their support:

Past Press Releases

OCPC Awarded Grant to Study Regional 911 Dispatch Service in Seven Local Communities

BAT Launches New Automated Fare Collection System

BAT Goes Green with High-Tech, Hybrid Buses

Creation of Old Colony Regional Economic Target Area

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