The Orbit fixed-route bus system began in 1990 in response to the growing population and congestion of the city of Huntsville, Alabama.

In 1990, the city of Huntsville decided to form the Department of Parking and Public Transit, which included the Shuttle.

It began with two routes, the Red and Blue Core Loops which served downtown, the Medical District and surrounding areas.

In 2006, bike racks were installed on all fifteen buses as part of the city's Greenway Master Plan.

It features fourteen bus bays, a rain garden, and a 3,880 square foot lobby waiting area and ticket office.

In June 2008, the department also began managing the neighboring city of Madison's paratransit system, MARS.

Routes to the following places have been planned/discussed for when funding becomes available: Other long-range transit projects that have been discussed for the Huntsville area: Madison County Courthouse, Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville Hospital, Parkway Place Mall, Huntsville Senior Center/Brahan Spring Park Same as #1, but in reverse, with one additional stop at Carousel Skate Center University of Alabama in Huntsville, Research Park East, Madison Square Mall University Drive commercial area, Madison Square Mall, Perimeter Office Park Von Braun Center, Parkway Place Mall, Crestwood Medical Center, Huntsville Hospital Medical Mall Von Braun Center, Westlawn, Brahan Springs Park/Senior Center, Milton Frank Stadium JF Drake State Technical College, Alabama A&M University, Five Points Alabama Career Center, JF Drake State Technical College, Alabama A&M University, Five Points The Fountain Shopping Center, Oakwood College, Alabama Career Center Parkway Place, Airport Road, Jones Valley, Southeast Huntsville, Joe Davis Stadium UAH, Calhoun Community College, Sherwood Park, Bridge Street Town Centre, Research Park West, Westside Pavilion (Target), University Drive University Drive, Madison Square Mall, Research Park East, US Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville Museum of Art, EarlyWorks, Alabama Constitution Village, Courthouse Square Five Points, the Medical District, the Von Braun Center, Big Spring Park (Huntsville, Alabama), and various restaurants and clubs.