How to Read a Schedule

Tips on Reading a Schedule

Reading a bus schedule is easier than you might think. Don’t be intimidated at first glance by all the numbers and lines. We’ve presented some basic steps here to get you started on planning your trip:

1. Know where you want to go and when you want to get there.
2. You can use the schedules found on this website or the BARTA Ride Guide which is a booklet of all routes, schedules, and general information and available where passes are sold and at most libraries, city hall, hospitals, many stores, and businesses throughout Berks County.
3. Find the schedule that includes your destination.  By working your way backward from your desired arrival time, you’ll then know when you need to get on the bus.  Please be aware that you may have to transfer from one bus to another if there is no direct route to your destination.  See the sample below which highlights information contained in a schedule.
   
4. Because there is limited space, every stop along the route is not listed in a schedule. If your stop location is between two-time points, add a couple of minutes to the previous time point, and that is when you should see the bus at your stop.
5. If no arrival time or (–) is shown for a time point, then that particular bus does not stop there. Look at the lines above and below for a bus that does make that stop.
6. To plan your return trip, look at the schedule for that route showing the reverse direction of travel and follow these same steps.
7. Keep in mind that on some routes, Saturday service is less frequent or operates fewer hours of the day than shown on the weekday schedules.
8. The most important thing to remember is that schedules are approximate – you should always get to your stop a few minutes early so you don’t miss your bus!

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