Blacksburg Transit

Blacksburg Transit, or simply BT, is a local government-owned urban-suburban bus line based in Blacksburg, Virginia. The system originated in 1983 with six buses, but has since expanded its operation to 53 fixed-route buses and 18 body-on-chassis vehicles. In FY 19, Ridership exceeded 4.6 million passenger trips per year; ridership is dominated by Virginia Tech students who account for approximately 90 percent of all riders, with the remaining percentage being split between Virginia Tech faculty and staff, and other Blacksburg citizens. Ridership decreased in FY20 and FY21 due to COVID-19, but began rebounding in FY21.[3] Blacksburg Transit serves the towns of Blacksburg, Christiansburg and limited portions of Montgomery County. In 2022, the system had a ridership of , or about per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023.

Blacksburg Transit
ParentTown of Blacksburg
Founded1983
Headquarters2800 Commerce Street
LocaleBlacksburg, Virginia
Service typeFixed-Route Bus Service, Demand Response & Paratransit
Routes19
Fleet53 Transit Buses
18 Paratransit vans
Daily ridership9,100 (weekdays, Q2 2023)[1]
Annual ridership3,349,000 (2022)[2]
DirectorBrian Booth
Websiteridebt.org

System of the Year

In 2019, BT was named the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Public Transportation System for agencies carrying fewer than 4 million passenger trips per year. BT was singled out for their successful delivery of service to Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Christiansburg based on performance on 24 quantitative and qualitative criteria, including ridership. In the three years evaluated (2016, 2017 and 2018), BT experienced an unprecedented 22 percent growth in ridership from 3.5 to 4.3 million passenger trips per year.

Employees
Blacksburg Transit sign

The majority of BT's drivers are part-time employees, making BT a popular employer with Virginia Tech students as well as retirees. The majority of the service's full-time staff consists of administrative and supervisory positions.

BT Access

BT Access[4] is Blacksburg Transit's complementary paratransit service. The service is available for persons with a temporary or permanent disability who meet the criteria established under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Once approved, riders can schedule one time or recurring trips with door-to-door service to any destination within Blacksburg. Riders wishing to go to Christiansburg can schedule a trip to meet the Two Town Trolley at its Squires Hall timecheck or at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery.

Routes
Inside a bus of Blacksburg Transit, Blacksburg, Virginia

Route schedules and maps
Blacksburg Service
Christiansburg Service

Fixed-Route Bus Fleet
Vehicle(s) Year Manufacturer Model Notes
Active Fleet
7021, 7022 2020 New Flyer Xcelsior (XE60) Unit 7022 is wrapped in a full body “Charged Up” electric bus promotional livery.
7005, 7006, 7007 Xcelsior (XE35) Unit 7007 is wrapped in a full body “Charged Up” electric bus promotional livery.
6931, 6932 2019 Xcelsior (XD60) First buses to be painted in the maroon and gray Blacksburg Transit livery.
6726 – 6729 2018 Xcelsior (XD60)
6425 2014 Xcelsior (XD60)
6411 – 6414 Xcelsior (XD40) Unit 6413 is wrapped in a full body Virginia Tech “Ring Bus” livery.

Unit 6414 is wrapped in a full body CMG Leasing advertisement.

6401 – 6404 Xcelsior (XD35)
6323, 6324 2013 Xcelsior (XD60)
6305 – 6308 Xcelsior (XD35) Unit 6305 is wrapped in a full body Blacksburg “Love Where You Live” wrap.

Unit 6306 is wrapped in a full body New River Community College advertisement.

6201 – 6204 2012 Xcelsior (XD35) Unit 6201 is wrapped in a full body “No Hokie Left Behind” promotional livery.
6021 – 6022 2010 Low Floor (DE60LFR)
6011 – 6017 Low Floor (DE40LFR) Unit 6012 is out of service due to a collision.

Unit 6017 is wrapped in a Hybrid Electric Bus promotional livery and is affectionately known as the “Hippie Bus.”

1911–1924 2009 Low Floor (D40LFR)
Retired Fleet
2711, 2712 2007 New Flyer Low Floor (D40LF)
2701 Low Floor (D35LF)
2015, 2025 2002 Low Floor (D60LF)
5211 – 5218 2002 Low Floor (D40LF)
  • 5217 remained in extended service
5201 – 5202 Low Floor (D35LF)
  • 5201 & 5202 sold to Radford Transit
4201, 4202 Low Floor (D30LF)
  • 4201 & 4202 sold to Radford Transit
3101 – 3106 2001 Low Floor (D35LF)
1811–1816 1998 Low Floor (D40LF)
1801–1809 Low Floor (D35LF)
3612, 3621, 3637, 3639 1976 New Look
  • EX-PENTRAN 612, 621, 637, 639
  • 3612 & 3621 donated to Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum
2614 – 2616 1987 Flxible Metro (40102-6N)
  • 2616 donated to Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum
2604 – 2606 Metro (35102-6N)
2611 – 2613 1986 Metro (40102-6N)
2601 – 2603 Metro (35102-6N)
1911–1912 1989 TMC RTS
  • Sold to WATA as JC250901 – JC250904
  • JC250902(1902) donated to Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum
1901–1902 RTS (T802)
1701–1703 1977 Flxible New Look
1611, 1613, 1616, 1618 1966 GMC New Look
  • EX-GRTC 411, 413, 416, 418
1603–1606 New Look
  • EX-Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) 1603–1606
1508–1510 1965 New Look
  • EX-GRTC 401, 409, 410
1501, 1502 New Look
  • EX-Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) 1601, 1602
1309 1984 Blue Bird City Bird
1302–1308 1983 City Bird

See also

References
  1. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. "Reports". www.ridebt.org.
  4. "Overview". www.ridebt.org.
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