Expanded transit options are coming to Oak Harbor beginning Sept. 26.

Island Transit is introducing a new route to cover neighborhoods west of the city and reconfiguring the existing city shuttle into two new routes to increase frequency and flexibility for riders.

These changes are the first of several planned under Island Transit Maximized, a service expansion initiative that will unfold over the next few years as the agency seeks to make buses more accessible and widely available to the Island County public.

The new West Oak Harbor route, Route 9, will cover a previously unserved area. The route goes as far west as Monticello Way, loops up to Crosby Road and returns to Harbor Station via Heller Road, with service through downtown Oak Harbor as well. Route 9 will operate Monday through Friday.

Island Transit Communications Officer Selene Muldowney-Stratton said the route will “provide crucial transportation opportunities for new and developing neighborhoods.”

Routes 2 and 10 will cover the same stops currently serviced by Route 14, but with greater frequency. Island Transit merged two routes to create Route 14 at the beginning of the pandemic, when ridership dropped significantly. Muldowney-Stratton said ridership has seen a notable increase over the last year, and the agency wants to offer shorter wait times and greater convenience to riders trying to get around the city. Routes 2 and 10 will operate Monday through Saturday.

“These changes deliver on the expanded services proposed in the agency’s initiative, Island Transit Maximized, and respond to the public’s requests for transit enhancements throughout the region,” Island Transit Executive Director Todd Morrow said. “The new changes will have greater frequency, expanded coverage, more direct routes and longer hours of service, just to name a few.”

The initiative will bring other changes to the agency’s operations. Muldowney-Stratton said Island Transit will begin providing Sunday service within the next year, though a firm date has not been set.

“Over the next six years, Island Transit will deliver expanded and new transit services to better serve its communities, while also planning for a longer-term transition to zero emission vehicles and infrastructure as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability,” Board of Directors President Beth Munns said.