2026 WMTAN Forum this Friday to Address Transportation Gaps in the Region
MEDIA CONTACT: Deb Ondo, Communications and Engagement Manager, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts debo@foodbankwma.org Phone: 413-419-0170.
[June 8, 2026, Chicopee, MA] – The 4th Annual Western Massachusetts Transportation Advocacy Network Forum – Are We There Yet? Bridging Transit Gaps in the 413 – will take place on Friday, June 12 at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, from 9:30am-3:00pm.
WMTAN is a group of almost 300 transportation enthusiasts from across the region, who are interested in improving transportation funding and options in the four counties of Western Massachusetts. Members are advocates, legislators and aides, planners, RTA employees, human service providers, and public transportation riders. The group meets monthly with a focus on multiple transportation related issues including micro transit, fare-free buses, equitable funding, west-east rail, climate friendly transportation, and more.
Laura Sylvester, the Food Bank’s public policy manager, started this group in 2019 because lack of access to reliable transportation was (and continues to be) one of the biggest barriers to food security. As Laura researched transportation in Western Massachusetts, she found that there were great ideas, but people were siloed and not collaborating. This group – and the forum – helps to break down the silos, encourage conversation, and sharing of best practices cross county and cross sector.
Learn more about WMTAN schedule here.
Here is the schedule for the day:
- 8:30-9:30 Optional pre-conference walk (meet in front of Blanchard Hall Dining Commons)
- 9:30-10:30 Check in, breakfast, networking (Blanchard Hall Dining Commons)
- 10:30-10:50 Welcome remarks from Sen. Jake Oliveira and Rep. Homar Gomez
- 11:00-12:30 Morning panels – Cleveland Hall, Rooms L1, L2, L3 (choose one of three)
- 12:30-1:30 Lunch, networking (Blanchard Hall Dining Commons)
- 1:30-3:00 Afternoon panels – Cleveland Hall, Rooms L1, L2, L3 (choose one of three)
Discussion topics – timing subject to change:
Morning Panels, 11:00-12:30 – Choose one:
| Panel Title: | Location: |
| Empowering Vulnerable Road Users: Building Safer Streets in Western Massachusetts | Cleveland Hall, Room L1 |
| Making a Difference – Resident Advocacy: Lower Connecticut River Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Advocates present successes and challenges | Cleveland Hall, Room L2 |
| RTA Cross County Collaboration Update | Cleveland Hall, Room L3 |
Afternoon Panels, 1:30-3:00 – Choose one:
| Panel Title: | Location: |
| Transportation Funding in MA: Breaking Down the Barriers to Improve Regional Equity | Cleveland Hall, Room L1 |
| Microtransit: Measuring the Local Economic Impacts of Rural Transit Investments | Cleveland Hall, Room L3 |
| The Future of Western Mass Rail: From Grassroots Advocacy to Reality | Cleveland Hall, Room L2 |
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About the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Since 1982, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been a dedicated partner in the work to end hunger. We provide nutritious food directly at our Mobile Food Bank and Brown Bag: Food for Elders sites, and to our region’s food assistance network of nearly 200 food pantries, meal programs, and shelters across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. We also engage in public education and advocacy to address the drivers of hunger because we believe access to food is a right.