The Massachusetts Senate has passed a state budget bill that includes funding to avert service cuts by regional transit authorities.
The Senate voted for a budget that would give $88 million to the regional transit authorities. The budget approved earlier by the House allocated $82 million.
Sandra Sheehan, administrator of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, said she’s optimistic the final state budget will include enough money so the PVTA can cancel service cuts tentatively scheduled to take effect in September.
" So once they go into conference, it is our hope the state will allocate the resources we need to operate the system,' Sheehan said.
PVTA fares will be going up 20 percent on July 1st.