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.

“WATA is excited to expand its operations to include a new route through Colonial Williamsburg,” said Matthew Scalia, WATA executive director. “Tourism is a vibrant and vital part of our community and economy, and visitors to the area will continue to count on reliable and accessible public transit to visit the wonderful sites. In fact, our new route will make it even easier for them to move throughout the greater Williamsburg area with easier connections to our other routes. This will be a benefit to them and our local businesses.”

The operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 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.

“The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority is well suited to operate the shuttle route through our historic campus. Enhancing the Historic Area route while maintaining this free transportation service will benefit riders and lets us focus on our educational mission,” said Robert Underwood, vice president of Operations for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

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 affect September 10, some of those changes are listed here:

Manual and Powered Wheelchairs

In order to meet the Department of Transportation regulations supporting the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), all riders are to have their wheelchairs secured while aboard a transit bus.

Strollers

Strollers, carts, or similar items must be collapsed prior to boarding and must not block the aisle.

Pets

In order to meet the Department of Transportation regulations supporting the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), WATA accepts on its buses only service animals which are trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. WATA does not consider comfort and companion animals to be service animals.

Lost and Found

Any items left on the buses at the end of the day will be taken to the Williamsburg Transportation Center at 468 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185. If a customer believes they have left an item on a bus, they can call the WATA Store at 757-790-2339. Items that are not claimed by the owner will be kept for at least 30 days. Perishable items are discarded immediately. WATA is not responsible for lost or stolen items or any damage to items left behind.

Please visit our website for more information on Route 15: Colonial and its schedule.