UMass Transit runs buses as much as possible during winter storms, however, please be prepared for delays, detours, or (in the event of extremely severe conditions) potential service cancellations.
See Transit app for service updates and real-time locations of buses. Public alerts will also be posted at umass.edu/bus.
See below for info on UMass closings and common snow detours.
When UMass cancels Fall or Spring classes for an entire day, or schedules remote learning for an entire day, buses run on a reduced schedule (as weather conditions allow):
- Reduced Weekday Service: Routes 30, 31, 45, 46
- Full Service: Routes 33, 38 (Mon-Wed late night service), if Mon, Thu, or Fri B79
- Sunday Service: Routes 35
- No Service: Routes 34, 36, if Tue or Wed B79
When UMass opens late, closes early, or transitions to remote learning for part of the day, buses run as scheduled (as weather conditions allow).
When UMass closes during winter or summer sessions, or during periods when there are no classes, buses run as scheduled (as conditions allow).
See pvta.com for information about routes R29 and B43.
See https://www.fivecolleges.edu/bus for information about 39.
See Transit app or MyStop for service updates and real-time locations of buses.
The following detours are routinely used (depending on severity of conditions):
| 30 |
|
| 31 |
|
| 33 |
|
| 34 |
|
| 35 |
|
| 36 |
|
| 38 |
|
| 45 | |
| 46 |
|
| B79 |
|
See pvta.com for information about routes R29 and B43.
Other than B79, bus routes operated by UMass Transit are fare-free for Five College students, faculty and staff. For the general public, fares are on a proof-of-payment "honor system". Bus drivers will not collect fares/passes, but passengers are expected to have either a valid Five College student, faculty or staff ID cards or a fare ticket/pass for each ride.
Tickets and passes may be purchased by contacting PVTA customer service, or buy online at Buying Monthy Passes and Van Tickets Online.
For B79, use PVTA’s Mobile Fare Payment App (cash fares are not be accepted). See pvta.com for more information.
The B43 and R29 do charge a fare during the summertime. They are only subsidized by Five College, Inc. and therefor fare-free for students, faculty and staff during academic periods only.
B43 and R29 are not operated by UMass Transit. For more information about those routes, please contact PVTA.
Yes, each bus holds two bikes (and some hold three).
PVTA offers advertising space on its buses. You can find more information at the PVTA's website.
Yes! For Amherst area buses, please call UMass Transit at (413) 545-0056 to inquire about lost and found items. Found items are collected nightly, and are retained for one week.
- Valuables (i.e. phones, laptops, car keys, wallets) will be given to UMPD after the one week period.
- All other items (i.e. clothing, water bottles, umbrellas, backpacks) will be discarded after the one week period.
Want to add a wall-mounted departure board in your building? You can do it yourself with our open-source app.
Or, if you're on campus and provide a display, power, and wired network connection, email us and we'll provide the computer.