From mobile ticketing to three new fixed routes, the agency's strategic plan promises big changes, even as daily riders cope with hourly buses and bare-bones stops.

As gas prices continue to climb, is Valley Metro worth it? A real-world test shows the bus can save you money — but it'll cost you time

Valley Metro has officially rolled out Roanoke’s first electric buses, with one featuring a custom wrap designed by 5Points Creative.

Valley Metro has introduced its first electric buses in the Roanoke Valley, marking a significant step toward sustainable public transportation.

All Valley Metro buses will switch to snow routes today.

You have one week before the presidential election, and several organizations want you to know they are here to help you get to and from the polls.

Candidates for both city council and mayor rode on one of the city's bus routes to talk with riders

Roanoke City Council has approved the addition of a bus shelter for one of the city's busiest and most neglected bus stops, though advocates say further improvements are needed.

Valley Metro is in a financial storm after a scathing audit of the bus service's money management was released.

People are starting to take advantage of expanded bus service in the Roanoke Valley.

Valley Metro is launching late-night and Sunday bus service in the Roanoke Valley.

The two bus shelters will be built along Blue Hills Drive.

Valley Metro is stepping in to ensure that a lack of transportation isn’t a hindrance to being able to vote.

Officials with Valley Metro tell 10 News the new bus station project is ahead of schedule.

Last year, Valley Metro announced that it would be getting a new home. Now, the Star City is one step closer to seeing the new transit become a reality.

Countless people in the Roanoke Valley rely on public transportation to get around every day. Now, staffing issues at Valley Metro are putting bus schedules in jeopardy of changing.

Roanoke may expand city public transportation thanks to COVID relief funds.

Valley Metro has a new home at the corner of Salem Avenue and 3rd Street in downtown Roanoke.

If you’re looking to save time or money on your commute, Valley Metro will be offering free fares on its services starting on Feb. 28.

Valley Metro wants to make sure people have a way to get to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 2.

Crews have broken ground on a new, multi-million dollar transit facility in the Star City.

ROANOKE, Va. – Four new bus stop shelters are coming to Roanoke, and the city is looking for artists to bring some creativity to the community. The Roanoke Arts Commission and Valley Metro joined forces on this public art project. Artists will have the chance to share their creative vision within the bus stop shelters and on the ground in front of them. Douglas Jackson of the Roanoke Arts Commission says projects like this are important for people to feel proud of their city. “There’s a lot of pride in Roanoke and a lot of pride in this neighborhood,” Jackson said.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City’s new downtown bus station is one step closer to construction. A state agency just reviewed the project and determined building a new bus station near the transportation museum won’t negatively impact the city’s historic feel or its historic buildings. City officials want to move the bus station by the end of June to its new proposed home by building a temporary station. “The Section 106 Historic Review approval is just another step in the process toward the construction of a new Transit Station. AdThe proposed bus station has been controversial.

City council voted 7-0 Monday night to change downtown zoning code to allow the relocation and construction of the bus station by right, rather than through a special exemption. “We’re committed to getting a bus station that all of our citizens can utilize and deserve," Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea said. The current bus station, Campbell Court, pre-dated current zoning code and was grandfathered in. The two republican candidates, Peg McGuire and Maynard Keller, both expressed concern over the project, as did the Roanoke City Republican Committee. The new bus station will first be a temporary station at the new site, and then be built in sections around it.

Valley Metro announced it will make all rides across the system free on Election Day. Valley Metro general manager Kevin Price said the agency traditionally waives fares to encourage voting on Election Day. However, he said it’s even more vital this year because riders are voting for President, Roanoke’s mayor and Roanoke city councilmembers. "It’s very important to vote, so we didn’t want transportation to be a barrier for someone seeking to exercise their right to vote.”If you choose to use Valley Metro to vote, social distancing guidelines are still in place. Masks remain mandatory aboard all Valley Metro bus lines.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke city leaders said they may begin the process to rewrite the citys Zoning Ordinance instead of appealing an unfavorable zoning decision regarding a new Valley Metro bus station in downtown Roanoke. As 10 News has previously reported, plans for the bus station hit a roadblock earlier this month after the Roanoke City Board of Zoning Appeals denied a special exception permit for the project. That permit is needed to build the new bus station in the parking lot across from the Virginia Museum of Transportation. [Were very disappointed: Plan to relocate Roanokes bus station hits major roadblock]In a statement released Monday, Roanoke city leaders, along with the Greater Roanoke Transit Company (GRTC), said they will not appeal this decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the redevelopment of the current Valley Metro bus station on Campbell Avenue into office, residential and retail space.

ROANOKE, Va. Theres free COVID-19 testing in Goshen today. The Virginia Board of Education will meet today and review a memorandum of understanding with Danville City Schools. The school system has asked the state to review its programs and offer support for improvement. Valley Metro holds an open house today to review plans for its transit center. The Greater Roanoke Transit Company plans to move the bus station to Salem Avenue.

ROANOKE, Va. – Citizens are getting a closer look at the proposed bus station in Roanoke. Spectrum Design is providing architectural and engineering services, as well as conceptual design elements for the project. City leaders said they’re hoping to release more detailed design elements in June. Spectrum Design is providing architectural and engineering services, as well as conceptual design elements for the project. Community members are invited to provide comments on the illustrations by sending an email to communityengagement@roanokeva.gov with the subject line: ROANOKE TRANSIT TRANSFER STATION.

ROANOKE, Va. – 10 News wrapped up another week of Food for Frontline deliveries on Friday, and Valley Metro employees were treated to some seafood tacos delivered from an area favorite. When you walk into Cabo Fish Taco in Roanoke, you’ll see a drink sign with shamrocks. Friday's boxed lunches were sent to Valley Metro employees, who are making sure people are getting where they need to go. Barrar and other Cabo Fish Taco employees unloaded boxes of meals in the Valley Metro break room. Neville had never had Cabo Fish Taco before, so Friday was a first, but to those who have, Barrar said they know it’s different and always good.

ROANOKE, Va. – Starting Thursday, Valley Metro will establish a limit of nine passengers on buses at any one time. “We realize that people need access to food, groceries, employment, and medical appointments," Valley Metro General Manager Kevin Price said. All Valley Metro passengers are encouraged to plan ahead, as the bus may reach capacity before arriving at your stop. Valley Metro also provided answers to some frequently asked questionsWhat happens if a bus arrives at a stop with nine passengers already on board. Will ADA passengers using a mobility device be denied service if the passenger count is at nine passengers?

ROANOKE, Va. – The City of Roanoke is shifting into high gear and moving full speed ahead with plans to relocate its downtown Transit Transfer Center. Earlier this month, Valley Metro chose Spectrum Design, a Roanoke-based company, to design the new bus station for about $600,000. Valley Metro General Manager Kevin Price said the city’s outgrown the old station on Campbell Avenue as both the size of the buses and the number of riders have increased. Riders like Shaundrea McGriff, who takes the bus every day, said she’s on-board with the changes. Price said Valley Metro wants to work with people to address their concerns and be a good neighbor.

ROANOKE, Va. - Theres a new tool to help recruit first responders in the Roanoke Valley. Valley Metro recently donated a bus to Roanoke Fire-EMS. Chief David Hoback said they'll use the bus primarily to transport recruits to off-site training exercises. It will also be essentially a rolling billboard for the three agencies that team up for training: Roanoke city, Roanoke County and Salem. They'll wrap the bus with pictures of their crews at work and contact information for people to apply for jobs.

ROANOKE, Va. - Waiting for the Star Line Trolley in downtown Roanoke just got a bit easier. Valley Metro recently installed an LED sign at the trolley stop on Jefferson Street and Kirk Avenue. The sign shows the times of arrival for upcoming buses and plays voice alerts when a bus is nearby. "We want to take it step by step and do things to make the service more enjoyable and more modern." Price says Valley Metro will eventually install these signs at all of its higher volume bus stops.

ROANOKE, Va.- - Valley Metro has a new way to help riders plan their routes around the Roanoke Valley. The bus service is launching its new Valley Metro Go app called VMGO. The app provides real-time transit passenger information to help you locate your bus routes, arrival and departure times. Right now, the service is for those using the Smart Way, Smart Way Express and Star Line Trolley. A digital LED display of transit bus stop information is also installed at higher-volume bus stops.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Valley community speaks out Thursday night about proposed rate increases and changes to the Valley Metro System. The public hearing was hosted by the Greater Roanoke Transit Company board of directors and Valley Metro, to see how bus riders feel about price increases. Valley Metro is proposing to raise the rate to $1.75. "As Roanoke grows, I anticipate us needing more than we already have," said Fred Donher, a Roanoke Valley resident who has been riding the Valley Metro for 40 years. The transit board has discussed limiting STAR passes to 52 trips per month.