The South Central Transit Authority is proposing a series of route and schedule changes for Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority service beginning Jan. 4, 2027, including the elimination of one route and expanded service to several employment and school locations.
SCTA said the proposed changes were developed using customer feedback submitted through phone calls, emails, social media and outreach events. The proposals were also discussed by BARTA’s 2026 Route and Schedule Team, which includes representatives from operations, maintenance and administrative staff.
Among the proposals is the elimination of Route 2, which serves Fairgrounds Square Market. BARTA cited low ridership as the reason for the proposed elimination.
Several routes would be expanded to provide service to employment centers. Route 1, Temple via 5th Street, would extend its final outbound weekday trip at 11 p.m. to the new Deka location at 8697 Allentown Pike in Blandon. Route 3, Temple via Kutztown Road, would also provide service to the Deka location on two weekday trips.
Route 9, Grill/Kenhorst, would add service to Brentwood Industries at 621 Brentwood Drive in Reading, with additional time added to the schedule to accommodate the stop.
Route 17, Glenside/Airport/Berks Heim, would add service to the Berks Industrial Park near Reading Regional Airport on the 6:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. trips.
Route 22, Lyon Station/East Penn-Deka, would add three trips departing the BARTA Transportation Center at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Other proposed changes are intended to modify existing service or improve on-time performance. Route 4, Temple via Kutztown Road, would receive an additional 10 minutes on each Sunday trip. Additional time would also be added to weekday trips on Route 18, Schuylkill Avenue.
For Route 11, Mohnton via Shillington, BARTA is proposing service to Ollie’s on outbound trips only. The inbound route would be modified to serve the area along Lancaster Avenue in Shillington.
Changes are also proposed for service involving the Reading School District. Current school trips departing the BARTA Transportation Center would add service to Reading High Innovation Academy at Ninth and Douglass streets.
Route 8, Reiffton, would designate three bus stops along Perkiomen Avenue to serve students in the Mount Penn area. The stops would be located at 19th Street, 17th Street and 15th Street.
BARTA is holding a 30-day public comment period on the proposed changes. Comments may be submitted by email at barta@bartabus.com, by phone, or by mail to BARTA Route & Schedule Changes, 1700 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19601.
An in-person public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at BARTA’s administrative offices, 1700 N. 11th St. in Reading. A virtual option will also be available, with login information to be posted on BARTA’s website.
The proposed route and schedule changes are scheduled to take effect Monday, Jan. 4, 2027.
