Chapel Hill Transit Reduces Transit Service Starting Monday, January 11, 2021

Starting Monday, January 10, Chapel Hill Transit will reduce transit service on seven routes amidst operator shortage and COVID-19 protocols for employees.

Chapel Hill Transit is temporarily adjusting transit schedules ahead of the UNC-Chapel Hill semester to improve the reliability of the transit system.

Chapel Hill Transit has been suffering from a staffing shortage that led service reductions throughout the fall semester. As COVID-19 cases have increased in the community, the agency is experiencing further staffing challenges as transit operators and other staff stay home to combat COVID-19 infections and other illnesses.

Beginning Monday, Chapel Hill Transit will temporarily reduce the number of trips on seven transit routes to minimize missed trips throughout the system and provide a reliable commuting experience for customers.

Below are descriptions of the changes and links to the new schedules.

  • A Route
    • remove midday service: 8:40 a.m. – 5:20 p.m.
    • remove evening service: 7:30 – 9:37 p.m.
  • CL Route: remove 19/32 trips offered throughout the day
  • CM Route: remove 6/30 trips offered in the morning and afternoon
  • CW Route: remove 8/21 trips offered in the morning and afternoon
  • D Route: remove 6/33 trips offered in the morning and afternoon
  • J Route: remove 16/57 trips offered in the morning, afternoon, and evening
  • N Route
    • Remove midday service: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
    • Remove evening service: 7:30 – 8:29 p.m.

“Please be patient with our operators and team members during this time,” requests Jeffrey Sullivan, community outreach manager for Chapel Hill Transit. “Nobody on our team wants to see these service changes, but we’re doing everything possible to ensure safety and reliability on transit. Our team is working hard to recruit new operators, and our team members are observing COVID protocols in our facility to keep our team safe and avoid infections.”

To find the most up-to-date information about whether a route is running, Chapel Hill Transit staff are updating Twitter and Nextbus daily with service information. Sullivan advises everyone to check one of those sources in the morning before leaving to catch their bus. New transit brochures can be found online at chtransit.org.

If you encounter issues, use the Chapel Hill Transit Feedback Form to alert Chapel Hill Transit, and staff will work quickly to address issues.