WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Since it was established in 1984, Advanced Transit, a nonprofit organization that operates a free bus service in the Upper Valley, has steadily expanded its routes, serving more and more residents — including many of whom do not have reliable transportation.
For the year ending June 2025, AT reported an average of 2,500 rides a day on fixed routes with 146 stops. The report also said 66% of riders had no access to a personal vehicle. Teri Palmer assumed the role of executive director at AT in January and talked about what it means to her to lead the organization.
This interview has been lightly edited for length, style and clarity.
Question: What appealed to you about becoming executive director of Advance Transit? You have a lot of experience in rural public transportation. What have you learned the keys to a successful service like Advance Transit are?
Answer: One of the things that I learned early on in my career in rural transportation is that you can’t do it alone. You need partners and stakeholders to help you along the way, and the Advance Transit staff have built those relationships over the past 40-plus years. Those relationships are key to a public transportation success story.
What appealed to me was knowing that AT was already a trusted partner in the Upper Valley and that I would be able to build on that regionally. And I knew that the staff had years of experience and had worked together for many years, so there was already a strong foundation.
Q: Can you talk about the importance that Advance Transit has to the area?
A: Advance Transit is committed to playing a vital role in connecting the communities in the Upper Valley with fare-free transportation. They offer a crucial service that increases access, expands mobility, operates sustainably and strengthens the community.
Q: Regarding the ridership, what demographic does Advanced Transit primarily serve and do you know approximately the annual ridership number?
A: During the last fiscal year which runs from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2025 Advance Transit had a total of 774,432 boardings. This fiscal year so far, we are trending at least a 25% increase in boardings.
Q: Funding for AT comes from a variety of sources including grants and local communities. What is your annual budget and are the funding sources reliable each year?
A: We are continuing to advocate for additional funding to expand and maintain a cost-efficient, sustainable service for our communities, partners, and stakeholders.
The federal grants (43.8%), state grants (N.H. and Vt. 2.7%), institutional partners (Dartmouth College, DHMC, Michaels Development, 22.2%), municipalities (7.5%), donations, sponsorships, advertising, and other income (3.6%) and capital ragnts (20.2%).
As you can see from the breakdown I am providing, relationship building with other institutional partners is vital to our success. We need to raise matching funds to receive federal funding.
Q: Why do you think Advance Transit has been able to maintain its service and has grown since it began in 1984?
A: I think that something else that Advance Transit has been able to do very well is listen to the riders and the communities that they serve. When change happens, whether it is a bus shelter, timing on a route, or a stop enhancement, the suggestion usually comes from feedback at listening sessions or outreach events in the communities. Listening to the communities and riders has helped AT grow trust here in the Upper Valley.
Q: Can you comment on the feedback AT receives from the ridership or community leaders about the service and how complaints are handled?
A: AT does have a complaint process and we always follow up on any complaints.
Q: What towns does Advance Transit serve? In the long term, would you like to see Advanced Transit expand to other towns? What would be needed to accomplish that and what towns would you consider?
A: Advance Transit provides service in Hanover, White River Junction, Norwich, Lebanon, West Lebanon, Enfield, and Canaan. In the long term, there have been studies for the 89 corridor south, Route 10 to the Lyme/Orford area, as well as micro-transit for the more rural areas of the Upper Valley that would bring riders to the fixed route system. The first thing we would need to accomplish is to really research the area to justify the need. Then focus on the sustainability of the service.
Q: What do you find most enjoyable about your new role leading Advanced Transit?
A: The most enjoyable thing that I am finding is learning new things and meeting new people, building new relationships, and working with the team here. There are many transportation barriers, even in this area with a robust transportation system. So, understanding the need and then working on solutions that will work for everyone is a challenge that I am excited about.