The Advance Transit transportation system will hold two public forums next week to hear what residents have to say about the efficiency and strengths of the Upper Valley's public transportation system.
The state of Vermont granted Advance Transit a $60,000 planning grant to look into expansion and improvement for the system.
The first forum will be held on Monday, May 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Auditorium A of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
For those unable to attend Monday's forum, a second will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, Vt.
Multi Systems, a private consulting firm out of Cambridge, Mass., was hired to look at the system as a whole and to do research to gain perspective on what changes the system could make to better serve the public.
One of the firm's consultants planned the forums and will attend in order to assess public concerns.
"It will be an open meeting and I assume the consultant will act as a facilitator," said Van Chesnut, the executive director of Advance Transit.
Chesnut also said that those community members who will be unable to attend the meetings can voice their concerns by writing letters to addressed to his attention at Advanced Transit.
"We will do our best to try and respond to concerns with available funding," Chesnut said.
Advance Transit provides transportation to Lyme, Hanover, Lebanon, Enfield and Canaan, in addition to serving the Vermont towns of White River Junction, Wilder and Norwich.
Chesnut said the Dartmouth community comprises a significant population in the Advance Transit service area and the company welcomes any input from community members.
The project will not be completed until September of this year, Chesnut said.