News and Updates

AT has published previews of the weekday evening and Saturday service maps and schedules.

Visit our Service Expansion page to see the new files.

Advance Transit (AT), the free public transit service in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, will be expanding service hours to include later weekday evening and Saturday bus service, starting Monday, September 11, 2023.

AT’s current hours of service are Monday through Friday, with buses operating as early as 5:15 a.m. to as late as 7:10 p.m. The expanded weekday evening service will extend service for four bus routes by two additional hours:

• Blue Route will operate until 9:03 p.m.
• Red Route will operate until 8:50 p.m.
• Green Route will operate until 8:32 p.m.
• Orange Route will operate until 8:35 p.m.

The first day of Saturday service will be on September 16. The Saturday bus routes and schedules will offer modified service to most areas usually covered by the Blue, Red, Orange, and Green lines during the weekdays. The new schedules will be available on Friday, September 1, 2023 on the Advance Transit website (www.advancetransit.com). Bus service information can also be accessed on Transit, a free mobile app that provides real-time arrival information for AT buses. Detailed information about this app is available on the AT website.

Additionally, on weekdays, the Yellow Route will include new mid-day service, with trips every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The route will now service downtown White River Junction, Sykes Mountain Avenue, and Gilman Complex on Holiday Drive in Hartford, Vermont, as well as Hanover, New Hampshire. It will continue to service the Upper Valley Aquatic Center and will no longer operate on Bugbee Street.

These service enhancements are in response to feedback collected in the fall of 2022 as part of AT’s process of updating its five-year transit plan. Developing this plan is a multi-phased approach that includes a review of existing services, a survey of riders and community members, and an analysis of travel patterns, which considers planned construction and development projects that may affect public transportation in the future.

A crucial part of this process is community feedback, which is critical in identifying rider preferences and learning how AT services can better meet transportation needs.

“We recognize that expanded service is something that our community has been requesting for a long time,” said Adams Carroll, Executive Director of Advance Transit. “We know that many of our riders rely on public transportation to access key resources, and we hope that these changes will have a positive impact on our riders and the community as a whole.”

AT has a long history of careful system planning, including coordination with local and regional planning efforts. To update its current transit plan, AT has been working with Steadman Hill Consulting, a consulting firm with extensive experience in public transportation planning. AT worked with Steadman Hill Consulting to produce its 2018 plan, which resulted in increased frequency on the Blue route (operating between downtown Lebanon and downtown Hanover), now offering 15-minute service.

AT’s upcoming service expansion has been made possible through the generous support of federal, state, and local contributions, as well as donations from major employers, foundations, and individuals. AT is grateful for the community’s support, which is crucial in helping the organization fulfill its mission of providing fare-free transit in Vermont and New Hampshire and offering a service that increases access, expands mobility, operates sustainably, and strengthens communities.

To stay informed of new schedules, routes, and details on the service expansion, visit advancetransit.com/service-expansion.

RIDER UPDATE: We’re experiencing a temporary glitch, and the Transit app is currently down. But no worries! Our buses are still running smoothly on their regular schedules.

In the meantime, head over to our home page and use our handy trip planner feature. It’s super easy to use and will help you plan your ride efficiently.

Thank you for your patience!

SERVICE ALERT: Beginning May 1, Blue Route service to Enfield and Canaan departs from Lebanon City Hall.

Advance Transit (AT) riders can now step aboard all electric buses as they travel in the Upper Valley. The new electric buses started their routes on March 13, 2023, offering passengers a quieter ride with reduced emissions. These buses are the first set in a series of planned changes for AT, with more electric vehicles slated to arrive by next year. Funded primarily by federally administered grants and financial incentives from Green Mountain Power (GMP), this initiative to replace existing buses with reduced emissions buses will help decrease local air pollution and improve public transit infrastructure.

This initiative has been in motion since 2019. At that time, AT was awarded grant funding from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) through support from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some key objectives were to expand the benefits of vehicles into rural communities, help eliminate carbon emissions, and combat climate change. Transportation using fossil fuel is the top source of carbon emissions nationwide and in Vermont. Working in partnership with GMP, AT aims to reduce these numbers for the Upper Valley region through the implementation of electric buses.

Ross MacDonald, VTrans Public Transit Manager, commented, “The state has challenging climate goals, and we will need all of our partners to electrify their respective services as quickly as practical. The Public Transit Program recognizes AT as a leader in transit services and operations, and these e-buses are an extension of the dedication and commitment to provide more affordable, reliable, and cleaner mobility options to their communities.”

Rider feedback has been positive. Some have noted a much quieter ride and bus operators have noticed a smoother driving experience. AT’s e-bus drivers have completed extensive training sessions and the organization is now utilizing new fleet monitoring software provided by ChargePoint, which can track enhanced service metrics.

AT is also in the process of building an electric charging infrastructure that is slated to finish in the fall of 2023. GMP’s incentives also helped with the installation of a Level 3 fast charger. This project is the most significant facility upgrade since AT’s building expansion in 2009. This addition to the operations center will accommodate the current electric vehicles, as well as future ones, laying the groundwork for further e-bus acquisitions and supporting long-term goals for more sustainable business practices.

“It is exciting to see more Vermont communities served by clean electric buses. Driving with fossil fuel is the number one source of carbon emissions in Vermont – so cleaning up the transportation sector makes a big difference for our state. Plus, all GMP incentives and programs are designed to help reduce costs so all GMP customers can benefit,” said Tiana Smith, who leads electrification programs at GMP.

Advance Transit has long-regarded sustainability and environmental stewardship as key parts of the organization’s mission. AT began incorporating hybrid buses into its fleet in 2011 and currently uses electric cars as driver relief vehicles for buses in service. It has implemented systems that both reduce operating costs and produce real environmental benefits. For example, AT actively harvests rainwater that is used to wash buses. AT’s LEED-certified facility also features a solar array and a system for recycling used motor oil into a heat source.

The organization’s commitment to sustainability and service is evident in the message displayed on the rear window of their electric buses: “Electric-powered. Community-driven.” Providing free public transit services to the Upper Valley, AT is dedicated to increasing access and effectively meeting the region’s transportation and mobility needs.

“This is only the beginning,” shared AT Executive Director Adams Carroll. “We’re excited about the impact that electric buses will have on the community and the overall effects on the environment. We look forward to growing the number of electric vehicles in our fleet over time.”

For more information, contact Trish Palao, Director of Marketing and Philanthropy, at tpalao@advancetransit.com or (802) 295-1824.

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Advance Transit (AT) is a not-for-profit charitable organization providing fare-free transit in Vermont and New Hampshire. Our mission is to assure the continued livability and accessibility of Upper Valley communities by providing safe, effective, and friendly public transportation services.

SERVICE ALERT: On Thursday, April 6, from 8:30am to 12pm, Blue and Red route buses will stop at COURT STREET instead of City Hall. Normal service will resume at 12pm that day.