The August 2026 Bus Map & Guide takes effect on Monday, August 24. Updated schedules will be available online for preview before the changes begin, with printed guides available onboard buses ahead of the service changes.
This update marks the return of several school-year service levels, introduces new routing designed to improve access and shorten commute times, and adjusts schedules to better match current traffic patterns and day-to-day operations.
We encourage all riders to review their route before August 24, even if the route itself is not changing, as some departure and timepoint times may be different.
School-Year Service Returns
As students return to school and weekday ridership increases, several routes will return to more frequent service.
The #2 Essex Junction will operate every 20 minutes from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays.
The #6 Shelburne Road and #7 North Avenue will also return to 20-minute service during peak weekday commuting hours.
Additional weekday trips will operate on the #7 North Avenue and #9 Winooski to help reduce crowding as students travel to and from school.
Neighborhood Specials will also return for the school year, providing additional service in select neighborhoods. A preview of these routes and schedules will be shared before service begins.
Schedule Adjustments for Reliability
Several routes will have changes to timepoints or overall running time to better reflect current traffic conditions and how long trips take in regular service.
These adjustments are intended to improve on-time performance and make published arrival and departure times more dependable for riders.
Routes with timing changes include:
- #1 Williston: Weekday and weekend timepoint shifts, along with changes to the total weekend running time.
- #6 Shelburne Road: Minor weekend timepoint shifts.
- #11 City Connector: Weekday and weekend timepoint shifts.
- #86 Montpelier LINK Express: Timepoint shifts.
The Green Mountain Transit Office stop will remain on the #5 Pine Street, but it will no longer be listed as a scheduled timepoint.
#2 Essex Junction Sunday Amtrak Connections
In addition to the return of weekday 20-minute service, Sunday trips on the #2 Essex Junction will see adjustments in Amtrak departure times.
#4 Essex Center Service Changes
The #4 Essex Center will operate five fewer weekday trips:
- One fewer morning trip
- Four fewer evening trips
Riders who regularly use early morning or evening service should review the updated schedule to identify the trip that best fits their travel needs.
New #9 Winooski Routing in Colchester
The #9 Winooski will follow a new route and travel into Colchester to serve Shaw’s on Mountain View Drive and the Water Tower Hill area.
This change will expand access to grocery shopping, housing, businesses, and other destinations in an area that does not currently have direct route service.
As part of the new routing, stops will close on:
- Weaver Street
- Malletts Bay Avenue
- Pine Street
- Hickok Street
- West Lane
New stops will be added along Main Street and other nearby streets where safe stopping locations are available. These additional stops are intended to reduce the walking distance for riders affected by the closures.
Riders who currently board in this area should review the new route map and stop locations before August 24.
Faster Afternoon Trips on the #96 Franklin County Commuter
The #96 Franklin County Commuter will follow new routing between Winooski and Milton.
The route will move onto the interstate between exits 16 in Winooski and 17 in Milton. As a result, several stops in Colchester will close.
The more direct routing is expected to make afternoon commuter trips approximately 10 minutes faster, creating a quicker and more reliable ride for passengers traveling between Franklin County and Chittenden County.
Riders who currently use stops in Colchester should review the new route and identify an alternative boarding location.
Shopping Specials Return to Earlier Times
Shopping Special trips will begin approximately 20 to 25 minutes earlier, returning to the start times used before the June 2026 schedule change.
Because these services primarily support riders traveling for groceries and other essential errands, passengers are encouraged to review their specific Shopping Special schedule and plan for the earlier pickup time.
Plan Ahead for August 24
These updates are designed to match service with school-year demand, improve access to important destinations, provide faster commuter trips, and create schedules that better reflect current operating conditions.
Before the changes take effect on Monday, August 24, please review your full route schedule and confirm:
- Your departure time
- Your closest available stop
- Any routing changes that may affect your trip
- Connections with other routes or Amtrak service
Preview the Full Schedule: August 2026 Bus Map & Guide