The Williamsburg Outlet Mall’s impending closure will affect more than just shoppers looking for a deal on clothing or shoes; riders on the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority will have to adjust to changes to service on four lines.
WATA has been using the Outlet Mall as a transfer station since 2011. Now, the hub will move down the street and around the corner to Wal-Mart at 731 Rochambeau Drive in neighboring York County. The hub will be located at the northern end of the parking lot near Sonic.
The customer service center located inside the outlet mall will move to the Williamsburg Transportation Center at 468 North Boundary St. The center will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
At 9 p.m. Dec. 31, WATA’s buses will stop running, taking a one-day break for New Year’s Day. When service resumes at 6 a.m. Jan. 2, the Blue, Purple 1, Purple 2 and Tan lines will no longer stop at the outlet mall.
Purple 1 buses will continue to stop at Warhill High School and Thomas Nelson Community College before heading to Wal-Mart. Purple 2 will no longer stop at Warhill High School or Thomas Nelson Community College.
The Tan line buses will no longer stop at the Miller Mart on Richmond Road; that stop will transfer to Purple 1. The Tan line buses will stop at Great Wolf Lodge before going to Wal-Mart.
WATA staff will be on-site at Wal-Mart for about a week to help passengers become accustomed to the transition.
Updated information will be posted on WATA’s website and Facebook page. For more information, call WATA’s office at 757-220-5493.
