Riders in Amherst may be surprised to find a 22-year-old arts graduate, Ash Larner, at the wheel of their bus. Larner, who began driving as a student, recalls encountering professors on his route, saying, “Hi! I’ll be in your class in 15!”
A Student-Run System
The vast majority of the roughly 250 people who keep the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) buses running in the Amherst area are current UMass students and recent alumni. Even 13 of the full-time staff members initially joined the organization as students.
UMass Amherst is not alone in entrusting its students with public transportation; similar programs exist at UC Davis, the University of Iowa, and the University of Georgia. Today, UMass Transit operates 10 bus routes for the PVTA, with only the B79 route to Worcester requiring a fare.
The operation maintains a fleet of 35 buses, including electric and articulated vehicles, and completed approximately three million passenger trips in fiscal year 2025. The central hub of UMass Transit features offices, a dispatch center, and a large bus garage.
The atmosphere within UMass Transit reflects its student-driven nature, with playful notes and inside jokes visible in the dispatch office. Student drivers are paid $21 per hour, an attractive rate for campus jobs. For some, like recent graduate Cameron Smith, the experience is a stepping stone toward a career in urban planning.
Longtime UMass Transit employee Chapman, who has been with the organization for over two decades, expressed a preference for hiring “the weirdest kids,” believing it builds confidence and offers a unique public face for the service. He described the rewarding moment when a new driver realizes, “I can do this,” and truly becomes a bus driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of UMass Transit staff are students?
The bulk of the roughly 250-person operation is staffed by current UMass students and recently-minted alumni, according to the school’s tallies.
How many bus routes does UMass Transit operate?
UMass Transit operates 10 fixed bus routes for the PVTA.
What is the starting wage for a UMass Transit bus driver?
The starting wage for bus drivers is $21 per hour.
As UMass Transit continues to provide a vital service to the Amherst area, it will be interesting to see how the program evolves and continues to shape the careers of its student employees.
