Service Changes

Effective September 10th, 2023

Starting Sept. 10, 2023, and in coordination with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) will initiate a new bus route to replace the Foundation’s current transportation operations. The service will be referenced in the WATA system as Route 15: Colonial.

The operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Service will not run on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve will run on the Sunday schedule.

Route 15: Colonial will keep the same route as the original shuttle service, with one important exception. An additional stop will be added to the route at the Williamsburg Transportation Center. The route will begin at the Williamsburg Transportation Center and pick up the current pattern at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. Riders can find physical maps for the route at the Williamsburg Transportation Center as well as the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. Riders are encouraged to download Transit app, which provides information on all WATA routes.

Route 15: Colonial will be free to the public. However, riders transferring to other routes will be required to pay the standard fare. A standard one-day bus fare is $3. As the service will be a part of WATA’s route system, riders will follow WATA’s policies and Code of Conduct.  Returning tourists may notice some significant changes to the service that will take effect on September 10. To learn more about those changes, please read the full press release at www.gowata.org.

Effective November 14th, 2022

Changes to Route 5 and a New Route

Starting November 14th, WATA will modify Route 5 and introduce a new route: Route 12 & Route 12A.

There will be significant changes to Route 5. Starting at the Williamsburg Transportation Center, it will serve Richmond Rd as it has in the past. Route 5 will now serve the west end of Casey Blvd in New Town, and Strawberry Plains Rd to the Williamsburg Crossing shopping center. Service will be bi-directional on a 60-minute frequency.

The new Route 12 will serve as a replacement for WATA’s discontinued trolley service, Route 14. Route 12 will be offered in two patterns as, Route 12 and Route 12A. Route 12 will serve the High Street area via Treyburn Dr, New Town, and turn around at Monticello Marketplace. This pattern will not serve the Steeplechase area. Route 12A will serve the same High Street and New Town locations, however, it will turn around at Steeplechase and not serve Monticello Marketplace. These services will be bi-directional and each pattern will operate on a 60-minute frequency.

WATA will also be adding bus stops on both routes as a part of these changes. These bus stops maybe be subject to some relocation after service begins. Both services will operate under WATA’s existing service hours. 

Effective September 5th, 2022

New Stop at Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que

Starting September 5th, Route 7 will make stops at Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que two times a day: Monday through Friday at 9:19 a.m. & 7:19 p.m. and Sunday at 9:19 a.m. & 2:19 p.m. After Stop 1257 - E Rochambeau Dr. at Great Wolf Lodge, Route 7 will stop at Pierces BBQ. It will then return to its inbound schedule.

Effective August 24th, 2022

ETC Institute Surveys

ETC Institute will be conducting transit surveys randomly throughout the WATA and Colonial Williamsburg buses and the Yorktown Trolley in the next few weeks. Participation in these surveys will help us gain a better understanding of our customers and their needs. The information is all anonymous and will not be used for any reason outside of assisting WATA's planning efforts.

Effective June 20th, 2022

Route 3: Merrimac Trail

Beginning June 20, 2022, Route 3 will reroute after Stop 1119 Penniman Rd. at James York Plaza to the new location of FISH at 312 Second St. There will be three stops here each day, at 10:41 am, 12:41 pm, and 2:41 pm. Following the stop, the bus will continue to Stop 1120 Merrimac on Trail Plaza and resume Route 3's regular inbound schedule.