The City of Huntsville’s public transit system launched new routes and services as the result of a comprehensive study of its operations. Improvements are implemented in five phases with the first phase implemented on July 1, 2019. Phases 2-5 will improve route frequency to 30 minutes or less throughout the City’s entire transit network.

Phase 1 focused on changes to the fixed route bus network to reduce trip times and provide more direct routing with fewer transfers. This included extended hours of operation and new Saturday service. Here’s what’s new:

Fixed route daily Orbit bus services with extended weeknights running from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

with extended weeknights running from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday fixed route service added from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Access paratransit service for individuals with disabilities was also extended to same days and hours to match the new fixed route bus service

for individuals with disabilities was also extended to same days and hours to match the new fixed route bus service Mobile app, Route Shout 2.0, for Android or Apple smartphones made available with “real-time” next bus information

or smartphones made available with “real-time” next bus information Streamlined routes: 131 new Bus Stop locations and 37 underused route segments eliminated

New North Huntsville Transit Center at the Richard Showers Community Center

New Route 10 added in North Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE TRANSIT: ORBIT BUS ROUTES

For questions about the new routes and service, contact Huntsville Transit at 256-427-6811

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 1 BRAHAN SPRING

Renamed Route 1 Brahan Spring

Changed from a 1-way loop to 2-way service

Downtown Library added to the new route

Serves locations popular with seniors such as The Summit, Todd Towers, Russell Erskine, Johnson Towers, The Senior Center, Kroger, L&N Walmart, and Parkway Place Mall

Other locations such as Huntsville Hospital and Huntsville High School served with new Routes 5 and 6

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 2 PATTON

This is the renamed #6 Southwest Huntsville.

One way loop replaced with 2-way service

Senior Center is no longer served on this route. Instead, for trips from Southwest Huntsville to the Senior Center, take new Route 2 to the downtown transfer station and connect to new Route 1.

OLD Route 2 Blue Core

The Route 2 Blue Core was replaced with the new outbound Route 1 for most locations such as Johnson Towers, Senior Center, Walmart, Kroger, and Parkway Place Mall.

Previously served #2 Blue Core locations along Gallatin, Whitesburg, and Bob Wallace now receive improved 30-minute frequency on new routes 5 and 6.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 3 HOLMES – UAH

UAH is served from two (2) new bus stops on Holmes Avenue versus the existing stops on John Wright Drive NW.

New timed transfer at the Bridge Street Town Centre with Route 4, University Drive.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 4 UNIVERSITY DRIVE

Extended to serve Cummings Research Park along Enterprise Way and Explorer Blvd NW

Extended to service Bridge Street Town Centre and connect with Route 3

Service on East Park Loop NW and Rime Village Drive eliminated

Service to the Social Security office moved to new Route 9

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 5 BYRD SPRING

Renamed Route 5 Byrd Spring

Service frequency (combined with new Route 6 Jones Valley) improved to 30 minutes in each direction from downtown to Airport Road including the following destinations: Big Spring Park, Twickenham Square, Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville High School, Parkway Place Mall, and L&N Walmart

Hourly service maintained to Wellstone Health, Hunters Ridge, Briargreen Apartments, Fern Parc Apartments, Malibu Apartments, and Rosie’s Shopping Plaza.

South Huntsville loop consisting of S Memorial Parkway, Hobbs Road, Chaney Thompson, Mountain Gap Road, and Bailey Cove to Willowbrook Drive is eliminated.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 6 JONES VALLEY

Service frequency (combined with new Route 5 Byrd Spring) improved to 30 minutes in each direction from downtown to Airport Road including the following destinations: Big Spring Park, Twickenham Square, Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville High School, Parkway Place Mall, and L&N Walmart

Hourly service maintained to Crestwood Medical District, Whitesburg / Airport Road Shopping, and Valley Bend Shopping.

OLD Route 6

Renamed Route 2 Patton Road

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 7 MERIDIAN – ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY

One way loop replaced with 2-way service on Pratt Avenue NE, Andrew Jackson Way, Meridian, Oakwood Avenue, and Blue Spring

Connects on a timed transfer at 26 after the hour at the new North Huntsville Transit Center located at the Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center

Continues to serve popular destinations Alabama A&M University, Drake State, Madison County Health Department, Lee High School, Oakwood Village Shopping Center, Five Points District, and the Downtown Bus Transfer Station.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 8 BLUE SPRING

One way loop replaced with 2-way service on Oakwood Avenue, Blue Spring Road NW, Sparkman Drive between Blue Spring and North Memorial Parkway, Mastin Lake Road between North Memorial Parkway and Blue Spring Road NW

Connects on a timed transfer at 26 after the hour at the new North Huntsville Transit Center located at the Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center

Continues to serve popular destinations US Postal, Seventh Day Adventist Apartments, Walmart Supercenter on Sparkman, Department of Human Resources, Downtown Rescue Mission Thrift Store, Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama, and the Downtown Bus Transfer Station.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 9 OAKWOOD

Portion of the existing one-way loop replaced with 2-way service: Pratt Avenue, Pulaski Pike, Oakwood Avenue NW, Jordan Lane NW, Sparkman Drive NW from Jordan Lane to Bonnell Drive NW

New connections from North Ridge Apartments to Route 4 University Drive and Social Security office

Service along Grizzard Road NW is eliminated. Residents along Grizzard Road are encouraged to try new Route 10 which travels north and south along Pulaski Pike and connecting to the Downtown Bus Transfer Station to the south and the Showers Center in the center of North Huntsville.

ORBIT BUS ROUTE 10 PULASKI PIKE

New route in North Huntsville

33 New bus stop locations

Connects on a timed transfer at 26 after the hour at the new North Huntsville Transit Center located at the Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center

UAH CAMPUS ROUTE

On Friday evenings a UAH Campus Route runs through the campus housing area with main stops at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Target and Bridge Street Town Center. Campus Shuttle runs most Friday evenings from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Please call for a schedule at (256) 427-6811.