UPDATE: BARTA is implementing significant bus schedule changes starting on January 5, as confirmed by the South Central Transit Authority. These adjustments aim to enhance service efficiency and better accommodate passenger needs across various routes.
Key changes include the elimination of time points on Route 1, which runs from Temple via Fifth Street Highway, impacting both outbound and inbound services. Adjusted time points are expected to improve on-time performance, ensuring that commuters reach their destinations without delays.
Route 8, serving the Reiffton/Shelbourne Square/Birdsboro area, will see the addition of four new trips to Birdsboro between 12:50 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Notably, the 5:15 a.m. trip will no longer serve Boscov’s Distribution Center but will instead do so at 7:15 a.m. to better align with employee shifts.
For environmental and community engagement, Route 9 will now include service to Berks Nature at 575 St. Bernardine St., both inbound and outbound.
In response to growing demand, Route 10 will extend its service to Shillington Plaza after 6:30 p.m. inbound only. Additionally, Route 14 will modify its service to Wernersville State Hospital, and trips marked with an “A” note on the schedule will not serve the facility from Womelsdorf.
Safety improvements are also a priority. Route 15 is adjusting its path at Park Road and Hill Avenue to enhance safety for both customers and drivers. The route will now travel from Hill Avenue to Reading Avenue to Penn Avenue.
Similarly, Route 16 will undergo a route change at the same intersection, with an added service to R.M. Palmer Company on the last trip at 11:05 p.m.
Furthermore, Route 17 will now serve Tower Behavioral Health on inbound trips only, reflecting the community’s needs. Finally, Route 22 will extend from East Penn Manufacturing to Kutztown University for all trips, ensuring better access for students and staff alike.
These changes are designed to improve overall transit efficiency and safety, addressing the specific needs of the community. Schedules are available for review at bartabus.com.
Stay tuned for more updates as these adjustments go into effect, impacting daily commuters and shaping the future of public transportation in the region. Share this information with fellow commuters to ensure everyone is informed ahead of the January 5 rollout!
