READING, Pa – BARTA is collecting feedback on proposed route and schedule changes.

The agency held two public hearings Monday at its offices on North Eleventh Street as a 30-day comment period winds down.

“A lot of people want more service than we’re proposing. They want to know if we have a lot more Sunday service that’s with all routes,” said Greg Downing with BARTA. 

But the budget plays a big part in adding more routes. BARTA is proposing possible route and schedules adjustments for 2026 and want to know what its riders think.

“These are proposals that are being put forth and for the most part this is what will take place, but we are here to get all of the feedback from our customers and that will be taken into consideration,” Downing said. 

With these proposed route changes and schedules those here at BARTA say they’re facing similar challenges compared to their transportation partners in the region.

“We have a lot of people that we are looking to give better access to and in other areas they can’t afford the service they put out. So, in it they’re using different funding sources to pay that amount of money,” Downing said. “We’re at a point where our serves are based off the budget that we have.”

What are the changes? More trips to Birdsboro – and nighttime stops at Shillington Plaza – Berks Nature and adjusted times at Berkshire Mall.

“They were outlined as the two areas most transit friendly areas to have growth at,” he said. 

So, the comment period is wrapping up and now the findings head to the board and the final plans will be approved.