PVTA has added Five College buses and improved schedules

Beginning Tuesday, September 6, 2011, new schedules were applied on the Five College PVTA bus routes. The changes will result in increased express bus service between Smith and Mount Holyoke (Routes 39 Express and 39E), more and better service between Smith and Hampshire (Route 39) and faster service between UMass and Mount Holyoke (Route 38). Many bus times have changed this year, so anyone expecting to ride a PVTA bus in the Five College area should consult a 2011-2012 bus schedule or visit the schedule links below.

Google Maps lists the official bus schedules of the PVTA and UMass Transit. Use their "Get Directions" tool: Click on the bus icon and add starting and ending locations and an appropriate time.

Check below for scheduling information about specific bus routes and times.

For questions about bus service, call (413) 545-0056.

Between Mount Holyoke and Smith -- Bus 39 Express and Bus 39E
There will be a total of 16 express buses running between Mount Holyoke and Smith (eight in each direction each day, M-F), with many scheduled to drop students on campus 10 minutes before the start of classes and pick them up about 10 minutes after the end of classes.

For service between the campuses at other times of the day, students should use a combination of the Bus 39 routes between Smith and Hampshire and the Bus 38 routes between UMass and Mount Holyoke, which stops at Hampshire.

Download a printable PDF file showing routes between Mount Holyoke and Smith College, including buses arriving in time for classes at each institution. [Revised 1/19/12]

Also, view the schedule for Buses 39 Express and 39E on the UMass Transit site.

Between UMass, Amherst, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke, with connection to Smith: Buses 38 and 39
When stopping at Hampshire on its way to Mount Holyoke, Bus 38 will no longer wait for the Bus 39 connection to Smith. Instead, students connecting to Smith will disembark and wait in a bus shelter. This will eliminate approximately 10 minutes from the run between UMass and Mount Holyoke. Buses will leave Haigis Mall at UMass at fifteen minutes after and fifteen minutes before each hour during the middle of the day.

Download a printable PDF file showing Bus 38 between UMass, Amherst, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke, including buses arriving in time for classes at each institution.

Download a printable PDF file showing routes between Smith College and Hampshire College, including buses arriving in time for classes at each institution.

Also, view the schedules for Bus 38 or Bus 39 on the UMass Transit site.

Between UMass, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and the city of Holyoke: Bus 29

This new route, which will charge a fare of 1.50 except during the afternoons of Monday through Thursday, will offer regular service to the city of Holyoke. Students commuting for community-based learning projects will be able to travel for free.

View the schedule for Bus 29 or the map for Bus 29 at the PVTA site.

If you are a student participating in the Five College Community-Based Learning Program (CBL), please view this helpful brochure, which includes information about the Bus 48 route between Holyoke and Northampton.

Between Smith and UMass: Bus 40 (Minuteman Express)
The Minuteman Express will continue to offer direct runs between Smith and UMass, with one more UMass to Smith run than last year.

View the schedule for Bus 40 or the map for Bus 40 on the PVTA site.

Between Smith, Hampshire Mall, UMass and Amherst: Bus 43
This bus will continue to run at the same times as last year.

View the schedule for Bus 43 or the map for Bus 43 on the PVTA site. Information about travel on Bus 43 when school is not in session is available on the PVTA site.

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