EMTA is considering options to improve bus service for current and future riders. The maps below show two potential service scenarios. To compare the two scenario maps, simply move the slider circle in the center of the map left or right.

The two service scenarios have a similar “footprint,” meaning they provide a similar level of service coverage. However, they differ significantly in their service designs. Scenario 1 aims to maximize access to downtown. This means that most routes funnel into the State Street corridor providing riders with a one-seat ride to downtown Erie, without the need for a transfer. Scenario 2 aims to maximize cross-town connections, making it easier to travel between the east and west side of Erie without the need to transfer. However, under this scenario, passenger traveling to downtown Erie may have to transfer to Route 1 along Peach or State Street to complete their trip.

Recently, scenario 3 has been added to combine efforts of scenario 1 and 2. Please review all scenario information below and maps that correspond with it. Get more information about scenario 3 here.

Scenario 1

  • Route 1 – Primary spine of EMTA network. Would provide frequent and direct service between downtown Erie and major retail destinations along the Peach Street corridor.
  • Route 3 – Peach Street Shopping Trolley. Would circulate through retail destinations along the Peach Street corridor, between Millcreek Mall and Walmart, and provide connection opportunities to Route 1 as well as direct access to retail destinations not directly served by Route 1.
  • Route 4 – Similar service to current Route 4, but end-of-line extended from Millcreek Mall to Walmart on Peach Street. Other changes include shifting service from Zuck Road to Old Zuck Road to serve several large apartment communities, and shifting service from 10th to 18th Street due to low ridership on Liberty Street north of 18th Street.
  • Route 12 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Albion and Walmart on Ridge Road only, with transfer opportunities to other routes at Walmart.
  • Route 14 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Edinboro and Peach Street Walmart only, with transfer opportunities available to other routes at Walmart. Other changes include shifting service from Edinboro Road, north of McKean, to Main Street/Reichert Road/Flower Road/Oliver Road to serve Erie County Technical School.
  • Route 15 – Expanded schedule for daily service between Penn State Behrend and retail destinations in Peach Street corridor, including Millcreek Mall and Walmart. Other changes include shifting service from 38th Street, between Davison Avenue and Old French Road, to Grandview Boulevard to serve several large apartment communities.
  • Route 16 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Mercyhurst North East campus and Harborcreek Walmart only, with transfer opportunities available at Walmart.
  • Route 17 – PSB Shuttle. Simplified alignment to serve the University Gate Apartments, Reed Hall, Jordan Road, Early Learning Center, and Knowledge Park.
  • Route 18 – PSB Shuttle. Simplified alignment to serve the Hudson Lofts, Reed Hall, Jordan Lane, and Ohio Hall.
  • Route 21 – Extended to PSB campus and restructured to serve 10th Street, Gladstone Court/GE, Giant Eagle, and Penn State Behrend Campus.
  • Route 22 – Restructured as a bidirectional loop serving 6th Street/Lake Road, Gladstone Court/GE, Walmart, and downtown.
  • Route 23 – Truncated at Gateway Rehabilitation Center and restructured to provide more consistent and direct alignment, including service along Old French Road, E 38th Street, and Wattsburg Road.
  • Route 25 – Restructured to serve Harborbrook Walmart on every trip instead of PSB campus or Saltsman Road. Provides connection opportunities to Mercyhurst North East campus.
  • Route 26 – Restructured to operate between PSB campus and Walmart at Elm and 38th Street only. Would provide connection opportunities to other routes at Walmart.
  • Route 27 – Similar service to current Route 27, but streamlined to operate on State Street instead of Peach and French Street.
  • Route 28 – Restructured as a bidirectional loop incorporating highest ridership segments of current Routes 28 and 30. Service along W 32nd Street eliminated due to low ridership.
  • Route 29 – Similar service to current Route 29, but streamlined by shifting service from 18th Street to 26th Street, east of Brown Avenue.
  • Route 31 – Similar service to current Route 31, but alignment shifted from W 8th Street and W. Lake Road to W. 12th Street to provide more consistent bi-directional service.
  • Route 33 – Presque Isle Shuttle. Similar service to current Route 33, but end-of-line extended to downtown to provide more walk-on and connection opportunities.
  • Route 105 – Restructured to operate between Corry and Peach Street Walmart only. Would provide connection opportunities to other routes at Walmart. Corry circulation service would be replaced with a demand-response service.
  • Route EE – Edinboro Shuttle. Local circulator serving Edinboro Walmart, Edinboro University, and Edinboro Giant Eagle. Would provide feeder service to proposed Route 14.

Scenario 2

  • Route 1 – Primary spine of EMTA network. Would provide frequent and direct service between downtown Erie and major retail destinations along the Peach Street corridor, as well as serve as a circulator to connect retail destinations on the east and west side of Peach Street.
  • Route 12 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Albion and Walmart on Ridge Road only, with transfer opportunities to other routes at Walmart.
  • Route 14 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Edinboro and Peach Street Walmart only, with transfer opportunities available to other routes at Walmart. Other changes include shifting service from Edinboro Road, north of McKean, to Main Street/Reichert Road/Flower Road/Oliver Road to serve Erie County Technical School.
  • Route 15 – Expanded schedule for daily service between Penn State Behrend and retail destinations in Peach Street corridor, including Millcreek Mall and Walmart. Other changes include shifting service from 38th Street, between Davison Avenue and Old French Road, to Grandview Boulevard to serve several large apartment communities.
  • Route 16 – Restructured to operate more frequently, but between Mercyhurst North East campus and Harborcreek Walmart only, with transfer opportunities available at Walmart.
  • Route 17 – PSB Shuttle. Simplified alignment to serve the University Gate Apartments, Reed Hall, Jordan Road, Early Learning Center, and Knowledge Park.
  • Route 18 – PSB Shuttle. Simplified alignment to serve the Hudson Lofts, Reed Hall, Jordan Lane, and Ohio Hall.
  • Route 20 – Downtown Trolley. Would provide frequent service between Bayfront and 14th Street via Sassafras Street and Peach Street. Key destinations would include UPMC Hamot, Gannon University, Union Station, and the EMTA 14th Street Garage.
  • Route 21 – Crosstown route, extending from PSB to the Fortis Institute, via Nagle Road, Gladstone Court/GE, E. 10th Street, State Street, W. 4th Street, W. 12th Street, and Erie International Airport.
  • Route 22 – Crosstown route, operating as a bi-directional loop serving 6th Street/Lake Road, Gladstone Court/GE, Walmart on E. 28th Street, State Street transfer opportunities, Saint Vincent Hospital, Porreco College, Sterrettania Road, Peninsula Drive, Save-A-Lot on Pittsburgh Avenue, and W. 10th Street.
  • Route 23 – Crosstown route, extending from Gateway Rehabilitation Center to Walmart near Peach Street, and incorporating the highest ridership segments of current Routes 4 and 23. Would provide transfer opportunities to downtown at 18th Street and State Street.
  • Route 25 – Crosstown route, extending from Harborcreek Walmart to the Fortis Institute, via Buffalo Road, 21st Street, 26th Street, and Ridge Road. Would provide transfer opportunities to downtown at 21st Street and State Street.
  • Route 26 – Restructured to operate between PSB campus and Walmart at Elm and 38th Street only. Would provide connection opportunities to other routes at Walmart.
  • Route 27 – Similar service to current Route 27, but streamlined to operate on State Street instead of Peach and French Streets.
  • Route 33 – Presque Isle Shuttle. Similar service to current Route 33, but end-of-line extended to downtown to provide more walk-on and connection opportunities.
  • Route 105 – Restructured to operate between Corry and Peach Street Walmart only. Would provide connection opportunities to other routes at Walmart. Corry circulation service would be replaced with a demand-response service.
  • Route EE – Edinboro Shuttle. Local circulator serving Edinboro Walmart, Edinboro University, and Edinboro Giant Eagle. Would provide feeder service to proposed Route 14.

Scenario 3

  • Route 1 –Weekday (20-minute peak; 30-minute off-peak), Saturday (30-minute), and Sunday (30-minute) service. Spine of EMTA network providing frequent service from downtown to Summit Town Center. Route would cover areas served by previous Routes 1, 3, and 15.
  • Route 7 – Saturday evening 30-minute service from Mercyhurst University to downtown Erie. The route would no longer operate on Fridays.
  • Route 12 – Limited weekday service from downtown to Albion (no changes to current service).
  • Route 14 – Limited weekday and Saturday service from Edinboro University to downtown (no changes to current service).
  • Route 15 – Hourly weekday and Saturday service from PSU-Behrend to Millcreek Mall. Would cover portions of old Routes 1, 15, 17, and 23.
  • Route 16 – Limited weekday and Saturday service from North East to Walmart. Route 16 would no longer run directly downtown.
  • Route 17 – Weekday PSU-Behrend shuttle operating covering the west side of the campus every 20 minutes.
  • Route 18 – Weekday PSU-Behrend shuttle operating covering the east and north sides of the campus every 20 minutes.
  • Route 20 – Weekday frequent (20-minute) downtown shuttle connecting the Intermodal Transportation Center with EMTA’s new facility on 14th Street. The alignment would cover most of the previous Route 19.
  • Route 21 – Weekday (30-minute peak; hourly off-peak), Saturday (hourly), and Sunday (hourly) crosstown service linking the Fortis Institute with PSU-Behrend. The route would cover portions of the previous Routes 11, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 31, and 32.
  • Route 22 – Weekday (30-minute), Saturday (30-minute), and Sunday (hourly) crosstown circulator offering transfers to many EMTA routes. The alignment would cover portions of the previous Routes 4, 11, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, and 30.
  • Route 23 – Hourly weekday crosstown service connecting Belle Valley and Erie County Technical School. The route would cover portions of the previous Routes 4, 15, 17, 23, 24, and 29.
  • Route 25 – Weekday (30-minute), Saturday (hourly), and Sunday (hourly) crosstown service linking the Fortis Institute with Walmart on Buffalo Road. The route would cover portions of the previous Routes 11, 16, 25, 28, and 29.
  • Route 26 – Hourly weekday, Saturday, and Sunday service linking PSU-Behrend with the 26th Street corridor. The route would cover much of its previous alignment, but would no longer travel downtown.
  • Route 27 – Similar to current service, hourly weekday, Saturday, and Sunday service to Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
  • Route 33 – Seasonal weekday service to Presque Isle (no changes to current service).
  • Route 105 – Weekday service to Corry and loop service around Corry (no changes to current service).
  • Route 229 – Weekday peak service to Fairview Industrial Park (no changes to current service).
  • Edinboro Express – Weekday and Saturday service around Edinboro University and to the Porreco College, Millcreek Mall, and Walmart (no changes to current service).
    Map of Scenario 3