Taking The Stagecoach From Rochester…You Can Get There From Here
Thirty-two and a half years ago, Dian Roberts of Rochester boarded a funny-looking white and yellow Mercedes van bearing the image of a horse-drawn Stagecoach. Though it was one small step for Dian, the maiden voyage of Stagecoach Transportation represented one giant step in offering public bus service to residents of that rural, somewhat isolated valley.
Dian, who has never had a driver's license, previously lived in the middle of Providence, Rhode Island, where "everything I could want was easily accessible"; life in Central Vermont, she discovered, was quite a contrast. With the introduction of Stagecoach in 1976, though, Dian found a link to essential services.
Despite fixed routes comprising only a tiny percentage of Stagecoach's trips, their importance to the residents of rural hamlets is immeasurable. These buses connect passengers with conveniences not available close by, such as shopping opportunities, medical facilities, pharmacy pick-ups, libraries, and socialization.
The actual course taken by the Stagecoach every Friday between Hancock, Rochester, and Bethel bound for Randolph, has historic significance in that the horse-drawn "Yellow Hornet" served a similar purpose in the 1800’s. With stops at Hubbard's Store in Hancock, Mac’s in Rochester, and the Depot Apartments in Bethel, public transportation is alive and well in Central Vermont. From those locations, Stagecoach provides trips to Rutland on the fourth Wednesday of each month, and to West Lebanon, monthly, on the second Friday.
Sharing some insight as to the difference Stagecoach makes in her life, Dian emphasizes, "Independence! [Stagecoach] enables me to be self-sufficient. I plan around its services and have a ritual" that includes stops in downtown Randolph for reading material, office supplies, toiletries, and coveted homemade bread, plus groceries at the south end of the village.
Over the years, Dian has come to anticipate her Stagecoach rides as social outings, of sorts. She relates one episode during a winter shopping venture to Rutland in the late '80's, when the trips took place at night…Mendon Mountain had been closed off, stranding the bus on the other side. According to Dian, passengers were undaunted
by the frustrating circumstances of waiting for the road to be plowed and sanded, "We were well prepared; everyone was happy and warm, sharing laughter and food. It was really a very positive experience!"
Dian praises the Drivers, exclaiming that even when she had a broken arm, her routine remained in tact, thanks to their help. "The Stagecoach Drivers are amazing," she states, adding, “The individual care that they show is wonderful!"
She relates one episode during a winter shopping venture to Rutland in the late '80's, when the trips took place at night… Mendon Mountain had been closed off, stranding the bus on the other side. According to Dian, passengers were undaunted by the frustrating circumstances of waiting for the road to be plowed and sanded, "We were well prepared; everyone was happy and warm, sharing laughter and food. It was really a very positive experience!"
Dian praises the Drivers, exclaiming that even when she had a broken arm, her routine remained in tact, thanks to their help. "The Stagecoach Drivers are amazing," she states, adding, "The individual care that they show is wonderful!"
Nellie Martin, also of Rochester, offers her thoughts on the services provided by Stagecoach, "When I gave up my car, I realized that Stagecoach would be able to satisfy my transportation needs."
Ann Magrath is yet another Rochester resident who has never driven. She and her daughter are regular passengers on the Randolph and Rutland shopping routes. Ann claims, "I couldn’t get around if I didn’t have Stagecoach."
Besides giving freedom to those without transportation, taking the bus is an economical option for the general public, too, and Dian Roberts encourages more people in the Rochester Valley to use Stagecoach. "It’s a great answer to everything!" she declares.
