Asheville bus plan could increase frequency at the expense of lesser-used routes

The city plans to increase service on its most-used routes by pulling drivers from less popular lines.

1 minute read

May 24, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Green and blue Asheville public transit bus.

An Asheville Rides Transit bus in Asheville, North Carolina. | Han Zheng, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The city of Asheville is asking the public to weigh in on a key decision that could improve frequency on the city's transit network at the cost of reduced service on lesser-used routes.

As Dee Pridgen explains in an article for 828 News Now, "City officials say the draft plan is built around earlier public input and direction from the city of Asheville and would shift the system toward more frequent service on key routes. Some lines would see buses arriving every 15 minutes during peak periods."

City officials say the goal is to boost ridership and better align service with demand. "The proposed redesign also aims to improve on-time performance and make route connections easier, but city staff acknowledge the changes will not be without disruption."

Friday, May 22, 2026 in 828 News Now

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