HOW THINGS WORK
ow to HRide
the Bus
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ublic transportation is great for the environment, convenient for riders who don’t own a car, and fun for those who simply want more choices in getting around. Cedar Rapids Transit serves a wide array of riders Monday–Saturday. The City partners with Horizons Neighborhood Transportation Service to provide after-hours, curb-to-curb transportation for those with critical employment transportation needs, and with Linn County LIFTS paratransit service to provide rides to customers for essential services. So, you want to ride the bus — but where do you start? These pages dive into frequently asked questions for choosing transit. For more information, visit CityofCR.com/Transit.
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Riding the Bus Plan Your Trip Before your ride, plot the route! You can use the Trip Planner tool at CityofCR.com/Transit. Enter your starting and ending locations. If applicable, add the time by which you’d like to arrive at your destination. Click “Get Directions.” The Trip Planner will show you where to walk to get to a bus stop, which bus to to get on and at what time, any transfers you’ll need to other buses, and when you’ll arrive at your destination. No internet? Call 319-286-5573, or visit the Ground Transportation Center at 450 1st Street SE for help finding bus routes and schedules. You can also use RideCRT.com or the City’s app — Mobile CR — to find bus stops on a map and view live locations of nearby buses.
Board the Bus Once you find your bus stop and route, arrive a few minutes ahead of the scheduled time. City buses will only stop to pick up and drop off passengers at posted bus-stop signs. When your bus arrives, pay your fare using a ticket, bus pass, eligible school ID, or exact cash. Take a seat in an available spot; if none are available, hold on to a handrail. For safety reasons, we ask that you keep conversations with the driver to a minimum. This lets them focus on the drive. Enjoy the ride!
Alert & Depart When you are ready to depart the bus, alert the driver. Pull the cord at the window one time, about a block before your stop. The driver will follow the signal and stop at the next designated bus stop. Exit using the back doors (unless you are with small children or have a bike to unload from the bike rack at the front of the bus). That’s it — you’ve ridden the bus!