Tutorial: the Blacksburg Transit

Hello Virginia Tech freshman, new students, and visitors!

Here is your basic guide on how to navigate yourselves in and around the town of Blacksburg by using the Blacksburg Transit. As a freshman I found the bus system to be extremely confusing. Overtime, I began to get the hang of it but that was after missing the bus numerous times, getting on the wrong bus, and having to walk home late at night. Hopefully this guide will spare you that stress and save you some time.

In this guide I will discuss:

• The main buses you will use as freshman
• Where the buses can take you
• Bus stops on campus
• Bus route frequency (length of time it takes to complete the route)

In addition, I will include a PDF of the detailed timetable of stops for each bus I talk about.

Step 1: Before We Begin...

• Full Service: Full service refers to the peak service for the Blacksburg Transit. This occurs during the fall and spring semesters at Virginia Tech. This means that all bus routes are in full operation with multiple buses on each route providing a frquency of about 10-15 minutes.

• Alternate Route: The bus does not follow its typical route during these specified times.

• Reduced Service: Thisoccurs during winter and summer semesters and during breaks. These routes typically run at 30-60 minute frequencies. In addition, not all buses will be in operation.

• Time Check: Time Checks are included in the bus routes to The buses will always stop a Time Check. Also, if the bus arrives at a Time Check early, it will remain at that stop until the scheduled time.

(So don't worry about pulling the cord to stop or frantically running to catch the bus just to sit there for 5 minutes before it continues to the next stop.)

Step 2: The Buses

As you can see from the map above, the Blacksburg Transit system is comprised of a large network of bus routes. The following are the buses I will be going over in this guide:

• Hokie Express
• University Mall/University City Boulevard
• Patrick Henry
• Progress Street/Toms Creek B
• Main Street
• Two Town Trolley

*NOTE: This is not a complete list of the buses provided by the Blacksburg Transit. To view the complete list go to http://www.blacksburg.gov/Index.aspx?page=885

Step 3: The Hokie Express

During full service the Hokie Express circulates around the Drillfield and to the Oak Lane Community–where many sorority and fraternity houses are. Some stops include Burruss Hall, Litton-Reaves Hall, War Memorial Gym, and of course Oak Lane. This bus is fare free so no need to get out your Hokie Passport!

Schedule:

• Monday-Thursday: 7 am – 12:45 am

• Friday: 7 am – 2:45 am

• Saturday: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

• Sunday: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm & 5 pm – 11:15 pm

Frequency:

• Weekdays (7 am – 6 pm): 15 minutes

• Evenings and Weekends: 30 minutes & Alternate Route (indicated by dashed line on map)

Step 4: University Mall Shuttle/University City Boulevard

Need to go to the Math Empo, Kroger, or the Post Office? Then take the University Mall Shuttle (UMS) or University City Boulevard (UCB). These buses stop on campus at Litton-Reaves, McComas, Burruss Hall, and Newman Library. They alternate on the same route at 10 minute frequencies. The only difference is that Monday through Friday during the week UMS does not service Sturbridge Square apartments.

Monday-Thursday:

• UMS: 8:45 am – 5:30 pm* & 5:45 pm – 9:45 pm

• UCB: 7 am - 5:45 pm

Friday:

• UMS: 8:45 am –3 pm* & 3:30 pm – 9:45 pm

• UCB: 7 am – 3:15 pm

Saturday:

• UMS: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sunday:

• UMS: 11:45 am – 11:00 pm

NOTE: Route times indicated with an asterisk (*) do NOT service Sturbridge Square apartments.

Step 5: Patrick Henry

This bus will take you to Pheasant Run, Collegiate Suites and Hunter’s Ridge apartment complexes during full service. On campus you can catch this bus at Squires Student Center, Torgersen Hall and Surge bus stops every 15 minutes.

• Monday - Thursday: 7 am – 6:45 pm

• Friday: 7 am – 5:30 pm

Step 6: Main Street

The Main Street buses provides service along- you guessed it- Main Street!

Main street buses include Main Street North (MSN) & Main Street South (MSS). You can catch this bus at the Squires bus stop only on campus. The Alternate Route takes Giles Rd., Patrick Henry Dr., and Seneca Dr. on the North end and stops short of the Industrial Park on the South end.

Weekdays:

• 7 am – 6:30 (15 min frequency)

• 6:45 – 11:30 (30 min frequency) Alternate Route

Saturday:

• 9:30 am – 2 am (60 min frequency) Alternate Route

Sunday:

• 11:30 am – 11 pm (60 min frequency) Alternate Route

Step 7: Progress Street/Toms Creek B

These buses can take you to Terrace View and the Village apartment complexes. The Progress street bus provides service during “Full Service Weekdays” only. During all other times you can take Toms Creek B (TCB). You can catch Progress Street at Squires or TCB at Squires or Burruss Hall bus stops on campus.

Progress Street:

• Monday through Friday: 7 am – 9:30 pm (10 min frequency)

Toms Creek B:

• Monday through Friday: 7 am – 10 pm (15 min Frequency)

• Saturday: 9:30 am – 2: 30 pm (60 min Frequency)

• Sunday: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (60 min Frequency)

Step 8: Two Town Trolley

The Two Town Trolley will take you to the New River Valley Mall, LewisGale Hospital, Regal Movie Theater, and Walmart. You can catch the trolley at Squires East bus stop at 60 minute frequencies.

• Monday - Friday: 7 am – 10:15 am & 12 pm – 6 pm

• Saturday:10:15 am – 5:45 pm

• Sunday: 12:15 pm – 5:45 pm.

NOTE: The Trolley does not serve the Hospital on weekends.

Step 9: Wrap Up

Hopefully now you will be able to navigate yourself throughout Blacksburg with ease. Or at least have a better understanding of how the bus system works. Keep in mind that the bus schedules will change during home football games, holidays, and during breaks so plan accordingly.

To see the full list of buses and for more detailed information on the Blackburg Transit visit www.blacksburg.gov

To see the bus schedules, times, and to view a live map of the bus routes visit www.bt4u.org or download the blackburg transit app on your smartphone.