Blacksburg Service Levels
BT adjusts service levels in Blacksburg to correspond with the Virginia Tech academic calendar – “Full Service” when Virginia Tech is in session, e.g. fall and spring semesters, and “Reduced Service” during most other times. The definitions and hours of operation of each can be found below:
- Full Service - This is our peak service operated during the fall and spring semesters. During Full Service all routes are in operation with the most frequent service, typically every 10-15 minutes during the busiest hours between 7 am and 7 pm. Buses generally run until after midnight or later, depending on the day. Exception: There are a total of eight service days that operate on “intermediate” service. On these days routes operate the same hours as Full Service and all routes are in service but buses run less frequently. Please review our Operating Calendar for additional information.
- Reduced Service - This service operates during all university break periods, e.g. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall breaks. Each route provides 30 minute to hourly service. Some routes do not operate, while others are combined.
FULL SERVICE & INTERMEDIATE HOURS | REDUCED SERVICE HOURS | |
---|---|---|
Monday - Thursday | 7 am - 12:45 am | 7 am - 9:45 pm |
Friday | 7 am - 2:45 am | 7 am - 9:45 pm |
Saturday | 9:30 am - 2:45 am | 9:30 am - 9:45 pm |
Sunday | 9:30 am - 10:45 pm | 9:30 am - 9:45 pm |
* Service ends at 7:15 pm on December 24.
Christiansburg Service Levels
Christiansburg services operate the same schedule all year.
GO ANYWHERE! CHRISTIANSBURG | THE EXPLORER | |
---|---|---|
Monday - Friday | 7 am - 5:45 pm | 7 am - 6:40 pm |
Saturday | 9:30 am - 4:45 pm | No Service |
Sunday | No Service | No Service |
No Service Days
Blacksburg Transit does not operate on the following holidays, applies to all BT services:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Please check the service calendar for detailed information, or call 540-443-1500.
NOTICE UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA), Blacksburg Transit will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities.
Employment: Blacksburg Transit does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.
Effective Communication: Blacksburg Transit will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in DRPT’s programs, services and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing or vision impairments.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures: Blacksburg Transit will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services and activities.
A reasonable modification will be considered if an individual has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual. Requests for accommodation can be submitted in any written format (i.e. letter, email) or verbally by phone or in person.
BT may decline a request if:
- Making the modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the public transportation service.
- Making the modification would create a direct threat to the health or safety of other passengers.
- Where granting the request would cause an undue financial and administrative burden to BT.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a Blacksburg Transit program, service or activity, should contact Blacksburg Transit by phone at 540-443-1590 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
The ADA does not require Blacksburg Transit to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose any undue financial or administrative burden.
Notice of Right to Appeal: Under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, you have the right to appeal any restrictions that may have been placed upon your use of BT ACCESS paratransit service. You must make your appeal within sixty (60) days of your receiving your determination letter. Please use the Notice of Right to Appeal form to file an appeal.
Complaints that a Blacksburg Transit program, service or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Blacksburg Transit by phone at 540-443-1590 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Blacksburg Transit will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy.
ADA Grievance Procedure (143 kb pdf)
About BT Access
BT Access is a paratransit door-to-door service complementing fixed route bus service in Blacksburg. The service is available for persons with a temporary or permanent disability who meet the criteria established under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Passengers must be certified to use BT Access, applications can be downloaded here, or can be mailed by request by calling 540-443-1533. Blacksburg Transit is fare free, including BT Access.
BT Access Rider's Guide
A new Rider's Guide goes into effect on January 1, 2021; all passengers should familarize themselves with the new guide as several changes have been implemented. The guide can be downloaded from the links below. The Ride Guide was updated in June 2021 to reflect an updated Service Animal policy.
- Brochure - A brief summary of the BT Access service
- BT Access Rider's Guide
- Large Format Rider's Guide
Service Area
BT Access serves all areas within the Blacksburg town limits, including the LewisGale Hospital Montgomery and the doctors’ offices on the same campus. Service is offered within the Blacksburg town limits during the same days and times as fixed route bus service. View Operating Hours.
If traveling to Christiansburg, BT Access passengers may schedule a transfer at the hospital to the Go Anywhere service or to the Two Town Trolley.
How to Apply
To determine eligibility, applicants are required to complete an application.
Download Part I (146 kb pdf) here.
Once Part I is submitted, BT will contact the listed healthcare provider and provide them with Part II.
Part II (14.2 kb pdf) of the application is avalible here as an electronic copy for healthcare providers.
Please return applications via any of the following options:
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Fax: Attention BT Access to 540-951-3142
- Mail: BT Access, 2800 Commerce St., Blacksburg, VA 24060
BT Access Eligibility After 21 Days
Staff will review applications promptly. While under review, applicants may schedule and use BT Access. Eligibility decisions will be made within 21 days of receipt of a complete application. For those applications not processed within 21 days of receipt, the applicant will be allowed to continue to use the service until such time as a written determination is made.
Feel free to contact BT for assistance, by calling 540-443-1533, or e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scheduling a Trip
If you are certified, you may begin using the BT Access service. Please call 540-443-1533, to schedule your trip(s). Trips must be scheduled at least one day in advance, but not more than 14 days in advance.
ADA Eligibility Card
Certified BT Access passengers will receive an ADA Eligibility Card with an ID number. This non-transferable card also allows the holder temporary eligibility on any ADA compliant paratransit system in the United States. BT Access reserves the right to require a new eligibility assessment at any time. A new eligibility assessment may be required for, but not limited to:
- Possibility of improvements in a passenger’s ability to use a BT accessible low floor bus.
- Any improvements in public physical barriers previously preventing a passengers use of a BT accessible low floor bus.
Visitors with Disabilities
Individuals traveling to Blacksburg, who present documentation of ADA Paratransit eligibility by a public entity, are eligible for BT Access paratransit services for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period beginning with the visitor's first use of the service. If service is requested beyond this period, individuals will be required to apply for certification.
Personal Care Attendant and Companion
A passenger may bring a Personal Care Attendant and/or Companion with them, if needed. BT is fare free, so no fare is required.
Travel Training
Travel training is designed to teach seniors and people with disabilities how to travel safely and independently on a fully accessible low floor fixed-route bus. Travel training determines how disabilities affect travel and then travel skills are tailored to each person’s needs. Remember, riding the bus does not jeopardize the ability to use BT Access services, but allows the passenger more flexibility and freedom to travel whenever they choose.
Benefits include:
- Learning to travel independently
- Greater self-esteem
- Flexibility of scheduling allowing freedom of movement within the town limits of Blacksburg
For more information on BT Access, or any of the above please call 540-443-1533 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Blacksburg Transit is Fare Free on all vehicles, at all times! No fares, ID's or passes are required. This applies to all services in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, including BT Access.