BCRTA Takes Additional Time on Middletown Route Redesign.
July 23, 2026
BCRTA has decided to pause the planned launch of the redesigned Middletown bus system.
The current Middletown routes have remained largely unchanged for more than 30 years, while the community’s neighborhoods, businesses, and travel patterns have continued to evolve. The proposed redesign was developed through a transit planning study aimed at creating a system that better reflects how people travel today.
As the launch date approached, however, we heard growing concerns from riders and community members. Some riders were concerned about losing nearby bus stops, while others worried that portions of Middletown would no longer have convenient access to public transportation.
Although several rounds of public engagement were held throughout the planning process, we recognize that it can be difficult to fully understand how route changes will affect daily trips until implementation gets closer. We have heard your concerns, and we take them seriously.
“A transit system exists to serve its riders,” said Matt Dutkevizc, Executive Director of BCRTA. “Changes to that system should improve the rider experience. If we are not 100% certain that the proposed change will achieve that outcome, it is our duty to validate it and ensure our riders will benefit. We are not at 100% yet, so we want to spend more time engaging with our community to make sure we get this right.”
For that reason, BCRTA will pause the redesign while we conduct additional research, review community feedback, and take a closer look at how potential changes would affect the people who rely on our services. Our goal is to ensure that future improvements serve the community and provide the best possible service.
The current bus routes and schedules will remain in place until further notice.
Residents may notice some changes to bus stop signage. Signs installed for the proposed new routes will be covered, and existing MTS signs will receive new signage. These changes do not indicate a change to the current routes.
Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback with us. Your experiences and concerns are an important part of this process. Please stay tuned for additional opportunities to tell us what is working, what is not working, and what changes you would like to see in the future.
