SPRINGFIELD – The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is preparing to launch an express service between the Northampton Academy of Music, the Holyoke Mall and Springfield’s Union Station. The tentative start date is June 27. The route will run six days a week, Monday through Saturday. On May 10, PVTA hosted two online sessions of public comment where interested attendees could express questions, concerns and more on the new route.

The express service is being funded through a grant by Mass Department of Transportation. Its intended goal will be to improve travel time and provide faster, more direct and more accessible service, according to Paul Burns Johnson, director of Transit Operations at PVTA.

Travel from Northampton to the Holyoke Mall will go from 48 minutes to 20 minutes with the new route. From Holyoke to Springfield’s Union Station, the travel time will remain 15 minutes. A direct trip from Northampton to Union Station will go from 1 hour to 35 minutes with no transfer required.

During public comment, Johnson responded to some questions from Western Massachusetts residents and PVTA riders.

One question came from attendee Martha Nathan.

“Will the B48/P21E combined routes continue, since this is not really a Holyoke option, but instead Holyoke Mall? Will the new route be staggered with the B48/P21E so there is actually every half hour access between Northampton and Springfield?” asked Nathan.

According to Johnson, there are no changes planned for those routes. The new express service will be supplemental to them. Johnson said there is no guarantee they can stagger the schedule, but that PVTA will approximate as best as they can. He said this is dependent upon a variety of scheduling factors.

Attendee Kareem Wedderburn also posed a question during public comment.

“Once this route begins, the P20E in its current form will no longer operate, correct?” he asked.

Johnson said that this was correct and this route will be the P20E’s replacement.

Attendee John LaBombard wanted to know if this route would stop in Easthampton on its trip from Northampton back to Springfield.

It would not, according to Johnson. He said that since it is a direct service, it will go straight from the Academy of Music to Union Station.

After public comment, Johnson said feedback would still be accepted by PVTA. Those interested in giving suggestions or even helping name the new route are encouraged to email comments@pvta.com or call 736-6348 extension 2230. There is also a comment form and survey available online at www.pvta.com.