|
Riding the bus is safe, reliable, and stress free!
The Triangle area has providers that service the region, local, county, and university areas. Many first time riders find much needed time for themselves that they had previously sacrificed by driving. Some employers and transit authorities offer a Guaranteed Ride Home program for regular transit riders, making public transit even more appealing as a commute alternative.
Rewards of Using Public Transit
- Financial savings in gas and car repair
- Stress reduction
- A more productive commute
- More control over your work schedule
- Vehicle maintenance reduced
- Reduced traffic congestion
- Improved air quality now and for future generation
- Safety
- Reduced need for parking
- Employer incentives, ask your employer if they provide transit subsidies.
Guaranteed Ride Home
Triangle Guaranteed Ride Home Programs
Getting Started - How To Ride the Bus in the Triangle
- Find your Provider/s and Routes
Use your provider/s system map or ride guide to locate the route closest to your origin and destination points. You may find that you'll need to ride more than one route to reach your destination. In that case, you will need to choose a route that stops where a transfer can be made. Do not forget to utilize Park and Ride lots in planning your route, if applicable. Most Park and Ride locations are designated on system maps and ride guides.
Most providers have Bikes-On-Buses programs that allows you to place your bike in a rack safely on the front of the bus - allowing you to bike and ride as part of your alternative commute!
You may find it most helpful to call your providers to help you find the best route, especially if it involves a transfer. If you are an RTP employee, your final destination will be the TTA bus center and you will take a TTA shuttle to your work site. Be sure to see the shuttle schedules on the TTA web site when determining your route.
- Choose your travel times
- First, make sure you have selected the correct schedule(s). Do you have the right day of week? (Monday - Friday or Saturday).
- Second, find the section of the schedule that meets your needs. Look for either AM or PM travel times and the correct direction.
- Third, find the stop location on the map (called a time point) that is nearest to your actual desired departure location, then look up that time point on the schedule.
- Remember that the listed departure time is only for that specific time point. Most buses will also make other stops where TTA, CAT, DATA, and Chapel Hill Transit Bus Stop signs are located. If you plan to get on the bus at a stop between two time points, you'll need to adjust the time accordingly.
- Check your Fare
Now that you know which route(s) to take and when to travel, you'll want consider the fare. One-Way Regular Adult Fares for area transit providers are as follows:
TTA $1.50
DATA $ .75
CAT $ .75
C-TRAN $2.00 (Reservations Required)
Chapel Hill FREE
Most transfers within provider systems are free. Special discounts apply to children, senior citizens, disabled persons, Medicare cardholders, and monthly pass holders.
Check with your provider for more information on discounts and monthly pass programs.
- The Bus Experience
- Waiting for the Bus
- Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive.
Be sure that you are standing on the correct side of the road for the direction in which you want to be traveling. If you are not certain where your stop is, call your transit provider.
>
- As a bus approaches, check the destination sign above the windshield to make sure you board the bus you want. The destination sign will include the route number and destination of the bus.
- Step out or waive your hand so the bus driver will see you. This is especially important if you are boarding at a stop that is serviced by more than one provider or if the stop is not a fixed stop location.
- As You Board
- Please have your exact fare (most bus operators do not make change), bus ticket, or monthly pass ready. Tell the driver your final destination. If you have a transfer, hand it to the bus operator.
- If you are using cash or tickets, put it into the farebox slot. If you are using a monthly pass, show it to the driver.
- If you need a transfer, ask for it when you pay your fare.
- While You are Riding
Please observe the following rules and riding tips to make your trip more enjoyable:
- Save the front seats for passengers with special needs, such as senior citizens or individuals with disabilities.
- Please do not smoke, drink or eat.
- Please turn off your radio/CD player.
- Yelling or using profanity will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the bus.
- Please do not have a distracting conversation with the bus operator.
- Please use care when carrying items such as umbrellas or large packages.
- Check your seat area for your belongings before exiting. Transit providers are not responsible for items left on the bus.
- Exiting the Bus
- Watch for your destination.
- Press the touch strip located above the seat at least one-half block before your stop to signal to the bus operator that you wish to get off. The bus operator will be happy to assist you if you are unfamiliar with the area.
- Please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Gather your belongings and exit the bus through the rear door, if applicable.
- And, don't forget to thank your bus driver.
Public Transit Providers
- Regional Transit:
- Triangle Transit Authority
The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit services to North Carolina's greater Triangle area, Research Triangle Park and outlying counties. The services include a Regional Bus Line with Connector Shuttles, Vanpool Service bringing commuters into the major work centers, Rideshare Matching Service, and coming in 2008, a Regional Rail System. For more information about TTA services, call 549-9999.
- GoTriangle.org
This Trip Planning service allows you to search for the best public transportation connections for wherever life takes you. With this service, planning is easier than working with the printed time tables and maps... just type in your starting point, your destination and check time and date of your trip. The Trip Planner will do the rest.
- RDU Airport Shuttle Service (TTA)
The airport shuttle service is designed to assist travelers who want to use public transportation to and from the RDU Airport. A 15-passenger van with the Triangle Transit Authority name and logo provides services to and from the airport via the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) Bus Center in the Research Triangle Park. From the Bus Center, commuters may board the buses to various locations.
- City of Raleigh: Capital Area Transit
CAT provides fixed route and demand responsive service throughout the City of Raleigh with connections to TTA. For more information on CAT services, call 828-SCAT.
- City of Durham: Durham Area Transit Authority
DATA provides fixed route and demand responsive service throughout the City of Durham with connections to TTA. For more information about DATA services, call 683-DATA.
- Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill Transit
Chapel Hill Transit provides fixed route and demand responsive service throughout the Cities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro with connections to TTA. For more information on Chapel Hill Transit services, call 968-2769.
- Cary: C-TRAN
C-Tran provides demand responsive service throughout the city of Cary. Reservations are required. For more information on C-TRAN services or to make a reservation, call 481-2020.
- County Transit/ Paratransit Services:
- Triangle Transit Authority Paratransit Service
Residents of Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill with a physical or mental disability making it impossible to use the Triangle Transit Authority's (TTA) bus system might be eligible for TTA's paratransit program. The Triangle Transit Authority's (TTA) paratransit system operates in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is designed to serve individuals whose disabling conditions or functional limitations prevent them from using TTA fixed route services. For more information, call 485-7468 or TDD/TTY dial 711 or 1-800-735-2962.
- City of Raleigh Paratransit Service
Accessible Raleigh Transportation, or ART, operates dial-a-ride paratransit services for certain authorized residents of the city of Raleigh. Riders must be certified to be eligible for paratransit services. For more information, contact: tel (919)890-3459; TTY relay connection 1-800-735-2962.
- Orange County Public Transportation
The Orange County Public Transportation Program, a division of the Department on Aging, operates and coordinates transportation for older adults as well as other special populations. Call 732-8181 ext. 2008 for more information.
- Wake County Human Services Transportation
Wake Coordinated Transportation Services, or WCTS, provides subscription and dial-a-ride transportation for citizens of Wake County who reside outside the city of Raleigh. For more information, call (919) 212-0494.
- Durham County Human Services Transportation
Durham County Access provides subscription and dial-a-ride transportation for citizens of Durham County who reside outside the city of Durham. This is a special van service that is available only to persons who are certified as ADA paratransit eligible through subscription. For information on ACCESS, call (919) 688-1525.
- University Transit:
|
