Reading, PA – The South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) Board announced proposed changes for BARTA bus fares at its March 18, 2020 Board Meeting. The proposed changes were delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and proposed again at the September 17, 2020 Board Meeting. The new proposed effective date would be January 4, 2021. Under the proposal, SCTA is simplifying the BARTA fare structure and eliminating the fare zones. The new, proposed fare structure would only have a base zone fare. The cash fare would increase $0.10 to $1.80. The student cash fare would change to $1.00 per ride. The Half Fare Cash Fare for eligible persons with disabilities would increase to $0.90.
Transfers are proposed to change to no charge. Customers will still need to request a transfer slip to use on their second bus when completing their trip. If customers do not have the transfer slip, they will be charged full fare on the second bus.
The All Day Pass would change from $3.00 to $3.70 for all routes. The Adult 10 Ride Pass price would be adjusted to $13.50. The Adult 31 Day Pass would be adjusted to $45.00. The Park-N-Ride Pass is proposed to be eliminated due to low usage. A newly created Half Fare 10 Ride Pass is being proposed for Persons with Disabilities to purchase Proposed BARTA Route and Schedule Changes were also presented at the September Board Meeting. If proposed changes are approved the effective date would be January 4, 2021.
A route by route description is as follows:
Route 8 – Reiffton/Shelbourne Square/Birdsboro: Propose to modify route to serve Godiva on Neversink Road on certain trips. Propose to adjust Saturday and Sunday schedule to improve on-time performance.
Route 16 – Broadcasting Square: Propose to modify route to serve the VA Outpatient Clinic on all trips and eliminate the “By Request Only” option. The bus route would serve the VA Outpatient Clinic on weekdays and on trips from 7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. when the clinic is open.
Route 18 – Schuylkill Avenue: Propose to serve Tower Behavioral Health Center in evenings when the Route 17-Glenside/Airport/Berks Heim bus route ends service to the health center. Trips to service Tower Behavioral Health Center on Route 18 would be available in the evenings during weekdays only.
A Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the BARTA Administrative Offices, 1700 North 11th Street, Reading, PA 19601 to receive any comments about the fare changes and route and schedule changes. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it is encouraged that customers email, write or call with their comments. SCTA staff ask that customers only attend the public hearing in person as a last resort.
If customers attend in person, masks are required. Comments may be emailed to BARTA at [email protected] or mail to BARTA Fare Hearing or BARTA Route and Schedule Changes, 1700 North 11th Street, Reading, PA 19601.
For more information, please call BARTA at 610-921-0601.
