From Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority
South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) has announced route and schedule changes for Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA) to be implemented on Monday, Jan. 4, 2027. The proposed changes are being presented based on compiled customer comments submitted through phone calls, emails, social media comments, and outreach events. The proposed changes have been discussed and proposed in meetings with the 2026 Route and Schedule Team, consisting of Operator, Maintenance, and Administrative Staff representatives.
A route-by-route description of the proposed changes is as follows:
- Route 1 – Temple via 5th Street:
- Propose to extend the route to the new Deka location, 8697 Allentown Pike, Blandon, on the last outbound trip at 11 p.m. on weekdays.
- Route 2 – Fairgrounds Square Market:
- Propose to eliminate the route due to low ridership.
- Route 3 – Temple via Kutztown Road:
- Propose to extend the route to the new Deka location, 8697 Allentown Pike, Blandon, with two trips on weekdays.
- Route 4 – Temple via Kutztown Road:
- Propose to add 10 minutes to each trip on Sundays to help with on-time performance.
- Route 9 – Grill/Kenhorst:
- Propose to add service to Brentwood Industries, 621 Brentwood Drive, Reading. Propose to add time to the schedule to serve the location.
- Route 11 – Mohnton via Shillington:
- Propose to serve Ollie’s in the outbound direction only. Propose to modify the route in the inbound direction to serve the area along Lancaster Avenue in Shillington.
- Route 17 – Glenside/Airport/Berks Heim:
- Propose to add service to Berks Industrial Park (near Reading Airport) on the 6:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. trips.
- Route 18 – Schuylkill Avenue:
- Propose to add time to weekday trips to improve on-time performance.
- Route 22 – Lyon Station/East Penn/Deka:
- Propose to add three trips at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. leaving the BARTA Transportation Center.
- Reading School District Service
- Propose to add service to current school trips leaving the BARTA Transportation Center and to serve Reading High Innovation Academy (9th and Douglass streets).
- Route 8/Reiffton will designate three bus stops to serve students in the Mount Penn area at:
- 19th Street and Perkiomen Avenue
- 17th Street and Perkiomen Avenue
- 15th Street and Perkiomen Avenue
A 30-day comment period is being held for the public to provide any comments about the proposed changes. Comments can be submitted at any time during the 30-day comment period via email, mail-in letters, or phone calls.
Email: barta@bartabus.com
Mail: BARTA Route and Schedule Changes
1700 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19601
An in-person public hearing will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at BARTA’s Administrative Offices, 1700 N. 11th St., Reading, PA, to hear comments on the proposed route and schedule changes. A virtual option will be available. Visit bartabus.com for the login details.
