Barta Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
BARTA bus schedule usually refers to Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority bus service in Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania. BARTA operates fixed-route buses, BusFinder real-time tracking, BARTA Go Mobile fare tools, and BARTA Special Services.
This guide shows how to find the correct BARTA route, check current schedules, read stops and directions, understand ticket price, use BusFinder, check alerts, and board without guessing.
How to Find the Correct BARTA Bus Schedule
Start on the official BARTA schedules page, choose your route number, check the route name, then confirm direction, timepoint, stop, and service day. BARTA schedules can be affected by route changes, BTC construction detours, stop closures, and same-day service alerts, so do not rely only on an old PDF or a search snippet.
Use the BARTA route number and route name, not only a destination.
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday service can differ.
Use the stop, timepoint, bus bay, or street side shown by BARTA.
Check real-time GPS location and live arrival information.
Review detours, BTC construction notices, and stop closures.
BARTA Bus Schedule Guide
BARTA Bus Routes, Corridors and Major Destinations
BARTA’s public fixed-route network centers many trips around the BARTA Transportation Center in Reading, with routes extending toward Temple, Fairgrounds Square, Albright College, Pennside, Reiffton, Brookline, Shillington, Reading Hospital, Wernersville, Berkshire Mall, Broadcasting Square, Berks Heim, Hamburg, Lyon Station, East Penn-Deka, and other Berks County destinations.
Route 1 / Temple via 5th Street
Useful for riders traveling between the BARTA Transportation Center, the 5th Street corridor, and Temple/North Reading area.
Route 3 / Temple via Kutztown Road
Use this route page when your trip uses Kutztown Road, North 11th Street, or a Temple-area destination connected to Reading.
Route 8 / Reiffton, Shelbourne Square, Birdsboro
Route 8 is important for riders heading east/southeast from Reading toward Reiffton, Shelbourne Square, and Birdsboro. BARTA noted corrected schedule timing for this route.
Route 14 / Wernersville via Sinking Spring
Route 14 serves a westbound pattern through Sinking Spring toward Wernersville. BARTA’s approved January 2026 changes included Route 14 schedule notes.
Route 17 / Glenside, Airport, Berks Heim
Route 17 is a key route for Glenside, Reading Regional Airport area, and Berks Heim. BARTA posted a construction-related no-service notice for Jamestown Apartments.
Route 22 / Lyon Station, East Penn-Deka, Kutztown University
BARTA’s January 2026 approved changes extended Route 22 from East Penn-Deka to Kutztown University for all trips. Riders should still check same-day detours before travel.
How to Read BARTA Bus Times Correctly
BARTA schedules are usually shown by route, direction, timepoints, and service day. A printed timepoint does not always equal the exact time at every stop between two timepoints, so use the official route page and BusFinder together.
| What you need | Where to check | What can go wrong | Best rider action |
|---|---|---|---|
| First bus | Official route schedule for your route and service day. | The first bus from BTC may not be the first bus at your neighborhood stop. | Check your stop or nearest timepoint and arrive 5–10 minutes early. |
| Last bus | Direction-specific route schedule and return-trip direction. | The last outbound trip may not match the last inbound trip. | Plan the return before leaving, especially at night or on weekends. |
| Transfers | BARTA schedule, BTC information, and transfer rules. | A close transfer can be missed if your first bus is late. | Tell the driver if your connection is tight and check BusFinder. |
| Live arrival | BARTA BusFinder. | GPS or prediction data can change due to traffic or detours. | Recheck live arrivals shortly before walking to the stop. |
| Holiday service | BARTA news, alerts, and holiday notices. | Some holidays may have no service or special hours. | Check the alert page on the travel day. |
BARTA Bus Fare, Passes, Transfers and Payment
BARTA fixed-route fares are paid when boarding. Riders can use cash, BARTA Go Mobile app, or a reusable Go Mobile smart card. Cash riders should carry exact fare because drivers do not make change.
Use exact cash, BARTA Go Mobile, or a reusable smart card. Check BARTA before travel in case fare policy changes.
Students may be asked for a school ID. Without proof, the adult fare may apply.
Riders under 65 with qualifying disability or Medicare status may qualify with proper ID or application approval.
Eligible Pennsylvania seniors can ride BARTA fixed-route buses free with accepted senior transit ID.
Children ride free only when accompanied by a full-fare paying passenger under BARTA’s listed rule.
Transfers are for completing a one-way trip and cannot be used for a return trip on the same or nearby route.
Adult, student, half fare, senior, pass, or special program.
Cash, BARTA Go Mobile app, smart card, or paper ticket/pass.
Scan app/card or pay exact cash when entering the front door.
Cash riders should ask the driver for a transfer if needed.
Hold transfer slip, pass, ID card, or mobile validation.
BARTA Stops, Direction and Transfer Points
BARTA route pages use named route patterns and timepoints. Many routes connect through the BARTA Transportation Center, but not every boarding point is a major timepoint. Use the official map, stop sign, street side, and BusFinder stop information to avoid boarding in the wrong direction.
BARTA Transportation Center Map
The BARTA Transportation Center, often called BTC, is the main rider hub at 701 Franklin Street near 8th and Cherry Streets in Reading. Use this map for orientation only; final bus times, stop changes, and route detours should be confirmed on BARTA’s official route pages, BusFinder, and alerts.
- Check whether your route uses BTC or another transfer point.
- Confirm the current bus bay or stop number before boarding.
- Check BTC construction detours before walking to a stop.
- Use BusFinder for live arrival and bus location.
BARTA BusFinder: Scheduled Time vs Live Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a same-day prediction based on BusFinder GPS and real-time information where available. Traffic, construction, detours, cancellations, weather, operator availability, and GPS issues can change live arrival.
Use the official BARTA BusFinder page or mobile view.
Choose the correct BARTA route number and route name.
Inbound/outbound or toward the correct terminal or destination.
Use stop name, stop ID, BTC bay, intersection, or map pin.
Check again before leaving because live predictions can change.
Check BARTA Alerts Before You Leave
BARTA alerts can affect the route path, BTC boarding locations, stop availability, transfer timing, and live arrival reliability. Before traveling, review the official service information/news page and your route page.
BARTA Accessibility, Bike Racks and Reduced Fare
BARTA’s rider information says buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bike racks. Accessibility is still stop-specific, so riders should check sidewalks, curb conditions, construction detours, stop closures, and whether the boarding area is safe and usable.
How to Ride BARTA Without Missing the Bus
- Choose the exact BARTA route number and route name.
- Open the official schedule page, not only a search result snippet.
- Select weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday service as needed.
- Check the current direction and destination sign.
- Find the correct stop, bay, side of road, or timepoint.
- Have exact cash, Go Mobile app, smart card, pass, or ID ready.
- Ask for a transfer when paying cash if your one-way trip needs another bus.
- Use BusFinder for live location and predicted arrivals.
- Check BARTA alerts for BTC detours, closed stops, and route changes.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early, or 10–15 minutes early for transfers and unfamiliar stops.
BARTA Special Services Is Not the Same as a Fixed-Route Bus Schedule
BARTA Special Services is for shared-ride, ADA, senior, medical assistance, and related transportation programs. These trips are scheduled differently from public fixed-route buses and may use mileage-based or program-specific fare rules.
| Service type | How it works | Fare rule | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-route BARTA bus | Public bus routes with published route numbers and schedules. | Adult cash fare, student fare, half fare, senior free ride, passes, and transfers. | Schedules, cash fares, BusFinder, and route alerts. |
| BARTA Special Services | Shared-ride and paratransit-style service booked in advance. | Mileage-based fares, co-pays, ADA co-pay, or program-specific rules may apply. | Special Services fares, reservations, and eligibility pages. |
| Senior / disability programs | May require application, ID card, eligibility proof, or reservation process. | Free fixed-route senior rides or half fare may apply when requirements are met. | Special discounts and BARTA Access / program pages. |
Official BARTA Sources for Schedules, Fares and Live Times
Use these official BARTA pages to confirm current schedules, fares, maps, live arrivals, service alerts, accessibility, and contact information.
Main route list for BARTA fixed-route bus schedules and route pages.
Open BARTA schedulesOfficial real-time bus tracking system powered by GPS through Avail Technologies.
Open BusFinder infoUse this for live bus location, stops, inbound/outbound schedules, and predictions.
Open live BusFinderAdult cash fare, student fare, half fare, children fare rule, and transfer rules.
Open cash faresApp, smart card, e-wallet, QR validation, pass purchase, and fare-capping information.
Open Go MobilePass-purchase options, online pass notice, app buying steps, and pass refund policy.
Open buy passesHalf Fare Program and Senior Citizen Free Ride Program information.
Open special discountsStep-by-step boarding, fare payment, transfers, bike racks, and stop guidance.
Open how to rideCurrent BARTA service notices, BTC construction detours, route detours, and stop closures.
Open service informationOfficial BARTA route and schedule changes implemented January 5, 2026.
Open 2026 changesBARTA Administrative Offices, Dispatcher Office, BTC hours, sales window, phone, and email.
Open contact detailsShared-ride, mileage-based fares, co-pay rules, ADA co-pay, and payment options.
Open Special Services faresBARTA Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the BARTA bus schedule?
Use the official BARTA schedules page, then select your exact route number and route name. After that, check direction, service day, stop, and BusFinder live arrival before traveling.
What area does BARTA serve?
BARTA serves Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania, with fixed-route buses, BusFinder live tracking, BARTA Go Mobile fare tools, and BARTA Special Services.
What is the BARTA Transportation Center?
The BARTA Transportation Center, or BTC, is the main downtown Reading bus hub at 701 Franklin Street near 8th and Cherry Streets. Many routes connect there, but riders should confirm their stop or bay.
How much is the BARTA bus fare?
BARTA’s fixed-route adult cash fare is listed at $1.80, K–12 student fare at $1.00, and Half Fare Program cash fare at $0.90. Seniors age 65+ may ride free with the required PA Transit ID.
Can I pay BARTA fare with cash?
Yes, BARTA accepts cash on fixed-route buses, but riders should have exact fare because drivers do not carry money to make change.
Does BARTA have a mobile app?
Yes. BARTA Go Mobile lets riders buy fares or passes, use an e-wallet, scan a QR code on board, and use a reusable smart card connected to the fare account.
Does BARTA have free transfers?
Yes. BARTA lists transfers as no charge for one-way trips that require more than one bus. Transfers are time-stamped, valid up to two hours, and cannot be used for a return trip on the same or nearby routes.
How do I track a BARTA bus live?
Use BARTA BusFinder. It shows real-time bus tracking powered by GPS, live route information, inbound/outbound schedules, and arrival/departure alerts where available.
Are BARTA buses wheelchair accessible?
BARTA’s rider information says all buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bike racks. Stop access can still vary due to sidewalk, curb, construction, or temporary stop changes.
How early should I arrive for a BARTA bus?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for normal stops. Use 10–15 minutes for BTC, transfers, unfamiliar stops, construction detours, fare loading, or less frequent routes.