WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Regional Transit Authority is reducing its schedule on Fridays, effective immediately.

Service on several routes will be reduced, with route 825 being suspended entirely. The WRTA cited a lack of drivers as the reason for the adjustment, and is hopeful the changes will only be temporary.

WRTA spokesperson Jamie Winters said a number of drivers have used time off, as part of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

"Our drivers cannot work more than 60 hours a week for safety reasons," Winters said. "So the way that our schedule has worked out, by the time we can backfill with drivers who are available, they might be capped out with overtime. We are in the works of coming up with some hiring campaigns. We are actively seeking applicants. We're actually looking at local community events as well as hosting some."

The full schedule of changes is available on the WRTA's website. The changes will only effect routes on Fridays, starting this week.