Urgent Changes to BARTA Bus Schedules Effective January 5

UPDATE: Significant changes to the BARTA bus schedule will take effect on January 5, 2024, impacting commuters across the region. The South Central Transit Authority has confirmed several adjustments designed to enhance service efficiency and improve on-time performance.

Starting January 5, key modifications include:

– **Route 1** (Temple via Fifth Street Highway) will eliminate the outbound and inbound time point at Fifth Street Highway and Crescent Avenue. Adjusted time points aim to enhance overall schedule reliability.

– **Route 8** (Reiffton/Shelbourne Square/Birdsboro) sees 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, shifting this service to the 7:15 a.m. trip to better accommodate employee shifts.

– **Route 9** (Grill/Kenhorst) will now service Berks Nature at 575 St. Bernardine St. on both inbound and outbound trips, expanding access for local visitors.

– **Route 10** (Brookline) is approved to route to Shillington Plaza after 6:30 p.m. inbound only, improving evening accessibility for shoppers.

– **Route 14** (Wernersville via Sinking Spring) will not serve Wernersville State Hospital from Womelsdorf on trips marked with an “A” note on the schedule, streamlining the route.

– **Route 15** (Berkshire Mall) has adjusted its timing to improve on-time performance and will now travel from Park Road to Hill Avenue to Penn Avenue, enhancing safety for both customers and drivers.

– **Route 16** (Broadcasting Square) will also alter its path at Park Road and Hill Avenue for safety improvements, adding service to R.M. Palmer Company on the last trip at 11:05 p.m..

– **Route 17** (Glenside/Airport/Berks Heim) is set to serve Tower Behavioral Health on inbound trips only, extending support to local health services.

– **Route 22** (Lyon Station/East Penn Manufacturing-Deka) will extend its reach from East Penn Manufacturing to Kutztown University for all trips, providing vital transportation for students and employees.

These updates reflect BARTA’s commitment to enhancing service quality and safety for riders. Full schedules are available at bartabus.com.

These changes are critical for daily commuters and local residents who rely on BARTA for transportation. The adjustments not only promise improved reliability but also cater to the needs of the community, ensuring that essential services are accessible to all.

Stay tuned for further updates as BARTA continues to enhance its transit services.