PVTA Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops

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Western Massachusetts PVTA Rider Guide

Ride the Pioneer Valley: Find PVTA Routes, Bus Times, Stops and Live Arrivals

PVTA connects Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Northampton, Amherst, UMass, Westfield and many surrounding Pioneer Valley communities, with longer regional links reaching Worcester, Pittsfield and Greenfield.

This guide helps you identify the correct route, understand the letter-and-number route system, find live bus locations, navigate current summer service, check fare-free eligibility, use intercity buses, reach major transfer hubs and avoid schedule mistakes caused by school calendars, detours or temporary stop changes.

Find Route & Live Bus View Network Guide Current 2026 Service Check Fare Rules
Service region Western Massachusetts
Member communities 24
Regular fixed-route fare Currently $0
Live tracker PVTA myStop
Verified
Quick answer

How to Find the Correct PVTA Bus Schedule

Do not search only for “the PVTA bus.” The network uses complete route IDs such as G1, B43, R29, P20, X90, B79 and 904. The letter or prefix is part of the route name and should not be removed.

1
Choose your city or hub Start with Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Amherst/UMass or another local destination.
#
Match the complete route G1 and B49 are different services; B43 and B43E can also follow different patterns.
→
Choose direction Match the final destination shown by PVTA rather than guessing inbound or outbound.
D
Select service day Weekday, weekend, summer and school schedules may differ substantially.
●
Check the live vehicle myStop can show current bus status, direction, last stop and estimated arrival information.
Important: a PVTA system map tells you where a route goes. It does not replace the route-specific departure timetable or live tracker.

PVTA Rider Guide

Current Summer Service System Network Major Transit Hubs Route Directory UMass & Amherst Springfield Routes Holyoke Routes Live Tracking Fare-Free Service B79 & Link413 Current B79 Detour Read a Schedule Regional Connections Accessibility Bikes Lost & Found Official System Map B79 PDF FAQs
Current on August 12, 2026

UMass-Area PVTA Summer Service Runs Through September 8

UMass Transportation publishes a separate summer operating pattern from May 15 through September 8, 2026. This is especially important because several campus routes that normally appear in trip planners do not operate their full academic-year service right now.

Routes 33 & B79 Full service These routes are listed by UMass Transportation as operating full service during the 2026 summer break.
30, 31, 45 & 46 Reduced weekday Expect a reduced weekday schedule rather than the academic-year timetable.
34 & 35 No service The campus northbound and southbound shuttle routes are not operating during the summer-break period.
B43 & 38NS No-school pattern B43 uses its no-school service and Route 38 operates as 38NS.
Do not save this summer table for fall travel. The published summer-break period ends September 8, 2026. Recheck the route when fall semester service begins.

Verify UMass Transportation’s 2026 summer service notice

Original rider-oriented network diagram

How the PVTA Network Fits Together Across the Pioneer Valley

This simplified diagram is not a geographic replacement for PVTA’s official map. It is designed to show how the major regional hubs relate to one another and where the longer-distance routes extend beyond the central Pioneer Valley.

PVTA Pioneer Valley network hub diagram A schematic showing Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Amherst, UMass, Westfield, Ware, Worcester, Pittsfield and Greenfield connections. SPRINGFIELD Union Station HOLYOKE NORTHAMPTON AMHERST / UMass PITTSFIELD Link413 904 GREENFIELD PG connection WORCESTER B79 WESTFIELD SUNDERLAND WARE B49 / B79 corridor CONNECTICUT RIVER
Regional planning shortcut: Springfield Union Station, Holyoke Transportation Center, downtown Northampton and Amherst/UMass function as useful transfer anchors. Start by identifying which hub lies between your origin and destination.
Choose your part of the network

Four PVTA Areas Riders Should Recognize

SPG
Springfield & Chicopee Union Station is the strongest regional transfer point for Springfield-area routes and intercity rail/bus connections.
HTC
Holyoke Holyoke Transportation Center anchors routes serving Holyoke, Chicopee, South Hadley, Westfield, Ware, Springfield and Northampton.
NHT
Northampton Northampton connects local Hampshire County routes with Holyoke, Amherst, Springfield and the new Pittsfield Link413 service.
UMA
Amherst & UMass UMass-operated PVTA routes connect campus, Amherst, Sunderland, Belchertown, South Deerfield, Mount Holyoke and Worcester.
Current route families

PVTA Route Directory by Service Area

The current May 2026 online system map includes local, campus, regional and intercity services. Use the full route ID exactly as published.

Springfield Urban Routes

Current Springfield-area route IDs include services such as:

G1 G2 G3 G5 G19 B4 B6 B7

Examples connect Union Station with Five Town Plaza, Springfield Plaza, Chicopee, Ludlow, Longmeadow and Wilbraham-area destinations.

Crosstown Routes

X90 X92 X94

X90 is the Inner Crosstown, X92 is the Mid City Crosstown and X94 is the Outer Crosstown.

These can be useful when your trip does not require a traditional downtown transfer.

Holyoke-Area Routes

P11 P20 P21 P21E R22 B23 R24 R29

Holyoke Transportation Center and Holyoke Mall are important transfer destinations, but not every route serves both.

Northampton / Hampshire County

R41 R42 R44 B43 B48 G73E

B48 connects Northampton and Holyoke via Route 5, while G73E links Springfield and Northampton through the Holyoke area.

UMass / Amherst Routes

30 31 33 34 35 38 38NS 45 46

Academic calendars matter strongly here. Campus shuttle frequency and even route patterns can change during Thanksgiving, winter, spring and summer breaks.

Longer Regional Services

B49 B79 G73E PG 904

These routes extend the practical network toward Ware, Worcester, Springfield, Greenfield and Pittsfield.

Prefix warning: never turn B43 into “Route 43” or G73E into “73.” Search engines and riders both benefit from preserving the agency’s exact route identifier.

Open PVTA’s current route and stop list

UMass Transit-operated PVTA routes

PVTA Bus Schedule for UMass Amherst and the Five College Area

Route Major Published Destinations Current Summer 2026 Status
30 North Amherst, Puffton Village, UMass, Amherst Center, Old Belchertown Road Reduced weekday service
31 Sunderland, Sugarloaf Estates, UMass, Amherst Center, South Amherst Reduced weekday service
33 Puffer’s Pond, UMass, Amherst Center, Jones Library, Big Y, Stop & Shop Full service
34 Campus Shuttle Northbound No service
35 Campus Shuttle Southbound No service
38NS UMass, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College No-school route pattern
45 Belchertown Center, Amherst Center, UMass Reduced weekday service
46 South Deerfield, Whately Park & Ride, UMass Reduced weekday service
B79 Amherst, Belchertown, Ware, Brookfield, Spencer, Leicester, Worcester Full service; paid intercity service
38NS is not simply Route 38 with fewer buses. During school breaks it changes its campus and college stop pattern, including different UMass, Amherst College and Hampshire College boarding locations.

Open official UMass/PVTA schedules and major-stop lists

Springfield Union Station

PVTA Springfield Bus Connections

Springfield Union Station is one of the easiest places to recognize in the PVTA network because it combines local PVTA service with Amtrak, regional rail and intercity bus connections.

G1 Current route naming identifies G1 as Five Town Plaza–Sumner–Union Station.
G2 / G3 These serve different Springfield and Chicopee-area corridors. Confirm the complete destination before boarding.
X92 The Mid City Crosstown includes Union Station in one published direction.
G73E Provides an express-style connection between Springfield and Northampton through the Holyoke area.
Rail connections Union Station provides Amtrak and Hartford Line connections beyond the PVTA bus network.
Station address 55 Frank B. Murray Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Do not confuse the PVTA customer-service office at Union Station with PVTA’s administrative headquarters at 2808 Main Street.
Regional transfer point

Holyoke Transportation Center Routes and Connections

Holyoke is a central bridge between the Springfield, Northampton, South Hadley, Westfield and Ware parts of the system.

B48 — Northampton/Holyoke Travels between Northampton and Holyoke Transportation Center via Route 5.
B49 — Holyoke/Ware A newer regional connection links Holyoke Transportation Center with Ware.
G73E Springfield–Northampton Express service travels through the Holyoke area.
R29 Connects the Mount Holyoke/South Hadley area with Holyoke Mall and Holyoke Transportation Center patterns.
Holyoke Mall Several routes serve the mall, but construction can temporarily move the boarding point.
HTC bay number Use the live tracker to verify the correct bay. For example, B49 tracker data identifies HTC Bay 5 in current service.
PVTA myStop / InfoPoint

PVTA Live Bus Tracker: What the Real-Time Screen Can Tell You

The PVTA myStop system is more useful than a static departure table when you are already traveling. It can identify active buses and show information such as route, status, last stop, destination, direction and reported occupancy.

Route G73E Active
Status On Time / Late Live
Last stop Most recent tracked stop GPS
Destination Published bus destination Check
Occupancy Empty / seats available When sent
Message Detour or service notice Read
Search the route. Enter the complete route ID, including its letter or “E” suffix.
Choose your direction. Match the destination shown for the trip.
Choose the exact stop. Two stops at one intersection may serve opposite directions.
Compare status with schedule. A bus can be several minutes early or late relative to its planned timetable.
Read public service messages. Construction and temporary detours can change the boarding point without changing the route number.

Open the official PVTA myStop tracker

myStop can also create alerts. The interface supports route, direction and stop-based departure notifications, including one-time and recurring alerts.
Fare status verified August 12, 2026

Is the PVTA Bus Free? Usually Yes — But Do Not Assume Every Regional Trip Is $0

PVTA’s Try Transit fare-free program continues in 2026. Massachusetts has continued funding fare-free Regional Transit Authority service, and PVTA has announced continuation of its regular fare-free program.

Regular PVTA fixed-route bus $0 Normal local fixed-route service is currently fare-free under the Try Transit program.
B79 Amherst–Worcester B79 remains an intercity fare service. UMass states that it is not free even for UMass passengers, and cash is not accepted onboard.
Link413 Route 904 Full fare is $10 per trip; qualifying reduced fare is $5. Tickets are sold through MassDOT BusPlus+.
$0
Normal PVTA route? Current local fixed-route service is fare-free.
B79
Going to Worcester? B79 requires payment through the PVTA/MassDOT BusPlus app.
904
Going to Pittsfield? Link413 Route 904 uses its own paid intercity fare structure.
ADA
Paratransit? Confirm current eligibility, booking and fare rules for the specific paratransit trip.
“PVTA is free” is not a safe rule for B79 or Link413 904. Those longer-distance services have their own fare arrangements.
Beyond normal local bus trips

PVTA B79 to Worcester and Link413 904 to Pittsfield

Western Massachusetts now has two particularly useful longer-distance connections tied into the PVTA network: B79 east from Amherst to Worcester and Link413 Route 904 west from Northampton to Pittsfield.

PVTA B79 and Link413 904 intercity corridor comparison A diagram showing B79 from Amherst through Belchertown and Ware to Worcester and Link413 904 from Northampton through Route 9 communities to Pittsfield. AMHERST Belchertown Ware Spencer / Leicester WORCESTER B79 • PAID • BUSPLUS NORTHAMPTON Williamsburg Goshen Cummington PITTSFIELD LINK413 904 • WEEKDAYS • $10 / $5
B79 Amherst–Worcester Major published stops include UMass/Amherst, Amherst Common, Belchertown, Ware Town Hall, West Brookfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Spencer, Leicester and Worcester Union Station.

Current UMass guidance says B79 operates Thursday through Monday, with no service Tuesday or Wednesday.

Link413 Route 904 Route 904 operates Monday through Friday between Pittsfield and Northampton, with intermediate communities including Dalton, Windsor, Cummington, Goshen and Williamsburg.

Link413 describes the trip as approximately 90 minutes end to end.

Regional connection opportunity: Worcester Union Station provides onward rail and intercity connections toward eastern Massachusetts, while Northampton connects with Amtrak’s north-south rail corridor.
Temporary — current August 2026

B79 UMass Boarding Location Has Temporarily Moved

PVTA’s current service message states that B79 buses traveling toward Worcester are boarding at the Fine Arts Center bus stop on North Pleasant Street instead of Haigis Mall.

Toward Worcester Board at the Fine Arts Center stop on North Pleasant Street instead of Haigis Mall.
Returning toward Amherst B79 passengers are currently dropped off at the Studio Arts Building.
Ends after September 7, 2026: PVTA says this detour continues through Monday, September 7 and Haigis Mall service resumes when the fall semester begins. Do not preserve this temporary instruction after the detour ends.

Check the current PVTA/UMass public message board

Live disruption examples

Why the Route Schedule Can Be Correct While Your Stop Is Still Closed

PVTA can keep a route operating while temporarily bypassing one or more stops. The route number therefore may stay unchanged even though your normal boarding point is unavailable.

Construction A road or building project can close one side of a stop while buses continue along most of the regular route.
Temporary detour A bus can follow a different street for part of its trip and then rejoin the normal alignment.
Campus-calendar change UMass routes can use no-school patterns that alter the stops themselves rather than only reducing frequency.
Current Route 33 example: UMass/PVTA service messages identify construction-related stop changes around Jones Library and weekday Amity-area routing. Check the message board immediately before travel because these conditions can change.
Timetable decoder

How to Read a PVTA Bus Schedule Correctly

1. Preserve the route prefix Search B43, not just 43; G73E, not simply 73; and X90, not 90.
2. Match the destination Use the destination displayed in the tracker or timetable to make sure you have chosen the correct direction.
3. Choose the correct calendar Academic-year, summer, weekday and weekend schedules can differ.
4. Find a major timepoint Printed schedules often show only selected stops. Your local stop may fall between two published timepoints.
5. Open the stop list myStop can display the route’s individual stops and reduce wrong-side-of-the-road mistakes.
6. Check the live bus Compare the planned departure with current status before leaving for a time-sensitive trip.
Never treat “on time” as a guarantee. Traffic, construction, weather, passenger loading and an operational change can alter the actual arrival after you check.
Beyond the local bus

PVTA Connections to Trains and Other Regional Transit

Springfield Union Station Connect with Amtrak, the Hartford Line and intercity bus services from the same regional transportation hub.
Worcester Union Station B79 reaches Worcester, where riders can connect with MBTA Commuter Rail and other services.
Northampton PVTA, Link413 and Amtrak connections make Northampton an important north-south and east-west transfer point.
Greenfield PG provides a semi-express connection between the Amherst/Pelham/Sunderland area and Greenfield’s Olver Transit Center.
Pittsfield Link413 904 creates a weekday Northampton–Pittsfield connection along the Route 9 corridor.
Five Colleges PVTA routes link UMass with Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith-area destinations.
Unusual PVTA service pattern

PG Pelham–Greenfield Is a Semi-Express Van Route

PG is useful because it is not a conventional all-stop urban bus. UMass Transportation says the service uses a van and stops only at a defined list of locations.

Pelham Community Center Amethyst Brook Amherst UMass Leverett Sunderland Sugarloaf Olver Transit Center Baystate Franklin
Do not stand at an arbitrary stop along the corridor. PG only serves the published stops.
Link413 ticket wallet

Link413 Route 904 Ticket Prices

Passenger Fare Per Trip Requirement
Full fare $10.00 Purchase through MassDOT BusPlus+
Reduced fare $5.00 Age 60+, Statewide Access Pass or Medicare card; photo ID required
Child under 5 $0 Published Link413 free-fare eligibility
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind ID $0 Qualifying ID
Runs weekdays Link413 publishes Route 904 as Monday through Friday service.
No reservation required Link413 states that advance ticket reservations are not required.
Accessible commuter buses Link413 buses have high-back seating, free Wi-Fi and accessibility for riders using mobility devices.

Open official Link413 schedules and ticket information

ADA rider guide

PVTA Wheelchair Accessibility and ADA Paratransit

PVTA provides ADA paratransit for people whose disability prevents them from using regular fixed-route buses. UMass describes the service as shared-ride, door-to-door transportation within the federally required area around fixed PVTA routes.

Service area ADA complementary paratransit generally operates within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed PVTA bus route.
Eligibility first Riders must be approved for PVTA ADA paratransit before using the service.
ADA Coordinator 800-752-1638 ext. 214
or 413-732-6248 ext. 214.
Fixed-route accessibility and stop accessibility are different. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can still serve a stop with difficult snow, construction, curb or sidewalk conditions.

Can You Bring a Bike on a PVTA Bus?

Yes. UMass Transportation’s PVTA rider FAQ says buses have bicycle racks. Each rack holds at least two bikes, and some buses can carry three.

Standard capacity Plan around a two-bike rack unless the arriving vehicle clearly has space for a third.
Rack full? Have a backup plan. Bike space is limited and cannot be guaranteed simply because the bus has arrived.
Transfer with a bicycle: if your trip uses more than one bus, rack space must be available on every vehicle—not just your first bus.
Different lost-property contacts by service area

PVTA Lost & Found: Who Should You Call?

Springfield / general PVTA bus PVTA’s Customer Service counter at Springfield Union Station handles lost-property inquiries.

413-788-8630

Union Station’s official FAQ specifically directs items left on PVTA buses to this number or PVTA’s Lost & Found page.

Amherst-area UMass-operated bus Contact UMass Transit Lost & Found:

413-545-0056

UMass states found items are collected nightly and generally retained for one week before later handling.

Information to Provide

  • Complete route ID.
  • Direction or final destination.
  • Date of travel.
  • Approximate boarding time.
  • Boarding stop or hub.
  • Exit stop.
  • Detailed item description.
  • Bus number if you recorded it.
Rider contacts

PVTA Phone Numbers and Transit Locations

PVTA Rider Information Local:
413-781-7882

Toll-free:
877-779-7882
PVTA Administration 2808 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01107
413-732-6248
Springfield Union Station 55 Frank B. Murray Street
Springfield, MA 01103
UMass Transit 413-545-0056
Amherst-area route and lost-property assistance
Union Station hours are not the same as PVTA customer-service counter hours. A transportation building can be open while a specific transit office is closed.
Current digital system map

Official PVTA System Map — Updated May 22, 2026

The current digital PVTA System Map is hosted through ArcGIS and was updated May 22, 2026. Its layers include current local routes, UMass routes, B49, G73E, B79 and Link413 Route 904.

Interactive PVTA Map

Use the official map for geographic route alignment and stop locations. Use PVTA myStop for live vehicles and departure information.

Open Official System Map Switch to Live Tracker
Map vs tracker: a system map can remain correct while a temporary stop is closed. Always check current service messages when your bus is due soon.
Official route document

PVTA B79 Amherst–Worcester Schedule & Fare PDF

UMass Transportation currently links the official PVTA B79 PDF as the schedule-and-fare document for the Amherst–Worcester intercity service.

The PVTA document server can block embedded or automated viewing on some devices. If the viewer below does not load, use the direct official-PDF button instead.

Open Official B79 PDF Check Current B79 Guidance
Verification note: the practical B79 guidance on this page is also cross-checked against the current PVTA live tracker and UMass Transportation route information so the article does not depend on an embedded PDF loading successfully.
60-second rider check

Before You Leave for a PVTA Bus Stop

  • Confirm the complete route ID, including its letter.
  • Choose the correct destination direction.
  • Check weekday, weekend, school or summer service.
  • Confirm that your route is operating today.
  • Find the exact stop or transit-center bay.
  • Open myStop for the live vehicle.
  • Read current service messages and detours.
  • Confirm whether the trip is fare-free or a paid intercity service.
  • Allow extra time for a rail or bus connection.
  • Save PVTA customer service if the trip is important.

PVTA Schedule Problems and What to Do Next

The bus is not in myStop Confirm today’s service calendar. The vehicle may not have begun its run, GPS data may be missing or the trip may not operate today.
The app and timetable disagree Check whether you are viewing the academic-year schedule during summer or a no-school service period.
The stop is closed Read the current public service message for an alternate stop. Do not assume the bus will pull over at the nearest corner.
The tracker says “late” Treat the live delay as an estimate and continue checking as the bus approaches your stop.
B79 is not at Haigis Mall Through September 7, 2026, Worcester-bound B79 buses use the Fine Arts Center stop instead.
I expected a free ride but the app wants payment Check whether you selected B79 or Link413 904, which have separate intercity fare rules.
Research record

Official and Primary Sources Used for This PVTA Guide

PVTA Live Routes & Stops PVTA myStop / InfoPoint
PVTA System Map Current ArcGIS Map
UMass PVTA Routes UMass Transportation
Summer 2026 Service Summer Break Changes
Current Amherst Alerts PVTA Public Message Board
B79 Regional Travel UMass Regional Transportation
Link413 Official Link413
Springfield Union Station Official Transit Information
Massachusetts RTA Policy Fare-Free RTA Law

Route, fare, map and service information reviewed August 12, 2026

Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us is not PVTA, UMass Transit, MassDOT or Link413. It cannot control service, guarantee bus arrivals, issue tickets or change a route.

Frequently Asked Questions About PVTA Bus Schedules

How do I find the current PVTA bus schedule?

Use PVTA myStop/InfoPoint, search the full route number, choose the direction and stop, then compare the live bus with the correct weekday, weekend, school or summer schedule.

Is the PVTA bus free in 2026?

Regular PVTA fixed-route service currently continues under the fare-free Try Transit program. Paid regional exceptions include B79 Amherst–Worcester and Link413 Route 904.

How can I track a PVTA bus live?

Open PVTA myStop/InfoPoint. The system can show route status, destination, direction, last tracked stop, bus number when available and reported occupancy.

What is the PVTA B79 route?

B79 is a paid intercity service between Amherst and Worcester, with stops including Belchertown, Ware and several communities west of Worcester.

Does B79 run every day?

Current UMass Transportation guidance states that B79 operates Thursday through Monday and does not operate Tuesday or Wednesday.

Where does B79 board at UMass right now?

Through September 7, 2026, Worcester-bound B79 buses are temporarily using the Fine Arts Center stop on North Pleasant Street instead of Haigis Mall. Returning buses drop passengers at the Studio Arts Building.

What is PVTA Route 904?

904 is the Link413 Pittsfield–Northampton regional service. It operates Monday through Friday and connects Route 9 communities between the two cities.

How much is Route 904?

Link413 publishes a $10 full fare and $5 qualifying reduced fare. Children younger than five and riders with a Massachusetts Commission for the Blind ID qualify for the published free-fare category.

Which PVTA routes are operating at UMass during summer 2026?

Through September 8, Routes 33 and B79 have full service; 30, 31, 45 and 46 have reduced weekday service; 34 and 35 have no service; and B43 and 38NS use no-school service patterns.

Does PVTA go from Springfield to Northampton?

Yes. G73E is currently identified by the PVTA tracker as Springfield–Northampton Express service via the Holyoke area.

Does PVTA go to Worcester?

Yes. B79 connects Amherst with Worcester Union Station. It is a paid intercity route rather than a normal fare-free local route.

Does PVTA go to Pittsfield?

Link413 Route 904 connects Northampton and Pittsfield on weekdays. The service is jointly supported by western Massachusetts regional transit authorities.

Can I take a bike on a PVTA bus?

Yes. UMass Transportation states that PVTA buses have bike racks holding two bikes, with some vehicles able to hold three.

Does PVTA have wheelchair-accessible transportation?

Yes. PVTA provides accessible fixed-route service and ADA complementary paratransit for approved riders whose disability prevents use of regular fixed-route buses.

Who do I call for a lost item on a PVTA bus?

For general PVTA service, Springfield Union Station directs riders to the PVTA customer-service counter at 413-788-8630. For UMass-operated Amherst-area buses, call UMass Transit at 413-545-0056.

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