CAR-LESS COMMUTE
How to Ride...
Catching the Bus
You may catch our buses at any corner along any of our routes provided that the driver can make a safe stop. Wave the bus down to board. Whenever possible, please wait at one of our bus stop signs. You may also request that the driver stop at any corner along the route. Please let your driver know that you want off at least one (1) full block ahead of your stop by using the STOP REQUESTED Pull Cord. Please be advised that wherever possible, our drivers stop at signed bus stops.
Please be at your bus stop at least five (5) minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
For faster service, please have your exact fare ready as you board The Bus because our drivers do not carry change.
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Passenger Rules
While riding on THE BUS, Merced County Transit, please observe the following rules:
- Swipe pass or pay fare when boarding
- NO SMOKING, DRINKING, or EATING
- No radios or tape players may be played on the bus
- Profane language will not be tolerated
- Pets are allowed if they are contained in a pet carrier. Service animals that assist the blind and disabled are also allowed
- No behavior creating a nuisance for driver or others
- Standing is permitted only when seats are not available. If there are no seats available, please hold the handrails provided for your safety
- No unsafe behavior in or around Merced County Transit buses or bus stops
- Report vandalism. You will remain anonymous
- Save priority seats at the front of every Bus for seniors and disabled riders
- Don't vandalize. Vandalism is a crime, which will be punished with a fine or jail sentence
- Don't block aisles or take over the seat beside you
- Do NOT bring firearms on any Bus
Public Utilities Code Section 99170
No person shall do any of the following with respect to the property, facilities or vehicles of a transit district;
- Operate, interfere with, enter, or climb on or in the property, facilities, or vehicles owned oroperated by the transit district without the permission or approval of the transit district.
- Interfere with the operator or operation of a transit vehicle or impede the safe boarding or alighting of passengers.
- Extend any portion of the body through any window in a manner that may cause harm or injury.
- Throw any object from the vehicle.
- Commit any act or engage in any behavior that may, with reasonable foresee ability, cause harm or injury to any person or property.
- Violate any notice, prohibition, instruction, or direction on any sign that is intended to provide for the safety and security of transit passengers, or the safe and secure operation of the transit system.
Infraction: punishable by a fine, not to exceed $75 for first violation and not to exceed $250 after a second conviction or by community service not to exceed 48 hours over a perior not to exceed 60 days.
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Wheelchair Users
All of our buses are wheelchair accessible. In order to assure your safety on The Bus, your wheelchair must be equipped with its own safety seat belt and brakes in good working condition. THE BUS must refuse service if your wheelchair is without this equipment. No Exceptions. This Policy applies to all of our buses.
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Three Wheel Scooter Devices (Larks, Amigos, Etc.)
If you use a three wheel scooter device, you may be asked to de-board the scooter and take a regular seat once you've boarded The Bus for safety purposes. Your scooter will then be secured and you'll be ready to go. If you choose to stay on your 3 wheel device during the bus trip, it must be equipped with lap belt and brakes in good working condition. The Bus must refuse service if your device is without this equipment. No Exceptions. This Policy applies to all of our buses.
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Bikes on THE BUS
Please be sure to read the following information very carefully. Now you can ride THE BUS and ride your bike - in the same trip. Merced County Transit (The Bus) buses are equipped with front-mounted racks to allow riders to combine biking and busing for your work, school, shopping or fun trips. The entire fleet is bike accessible. This program Bikes on Buses will allow The Bus to serve another transportation need in the community.
Bicycle Lockers are another way to secure your bicycle while using public transportation. Bicycle lockers are available for rent at major locations in Merced, Atwater, and Los Banos. For more information on renting a locker, call (209) 385-7600. You can also contact us via email at thebus@co.merced.ca.us
BIKES ON THE BUS BASICS
- Safety always comes first. When you are loading or unloading your bike, never step to the street side of the bus. There could be moving traffic.
- Your bicycle can be no larger than 80 inches long or 48 inches high. No motors, child carriers, or other bulky attachments can be accommodated due to weight and space limitations.
- At a bus stop, have your bike ready to go as the bus approaches. Remove water bottles, pumps, or other objects that might fall off during the trip.
- Merced County Transit is not responsible for damages incurred to or caused by bicycles on transit system property, and is not liable for damage to bicycles that are loaded improperly. You are responsible to properly load your bicycle and do so at your own risk.
BIKE LOCKERS
Bicycle lockers are available for rent at major locations in Merced, Atwater, and Los Banos. For further information call 385-7600.
SEE THE MERCED COUNTY TRANSIT GUIDE FOR RACK RULES
Bike access to The Bus is a privilege, not a right. It is the responsibility of the cyclist to read and comply with all of the safety rules. Customers use The Bus bicycle racks at their own risk. The Bus assumes no responsibility for bikes that are lost, stolen, damaged or left on racks.
If you would like advance, hands on instruction - Before you use Bikes on The Bus Service, you might like individual instruction on bicycle rack use. Merced County Transit encourages you to call (209) 384-3111 to arrange instruction at the Merced County Transit bus yard, or at a Bikes on The Bus demonstration location. You can also contact us via email at thebus@co.merced.ca.us
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Left your Bike on the bus?
If you left your bicycle on The Bus and want to claim it, contact the main office at (209) 384-3111 or at (209) 724-0530. You can also contact us via email at thebus@co.merced.ca.us
LOADING YOUR BIKE
First - tell the bus operator that you are going to load your bike onto the rack. The driver will acknowledge you. This is your signal that the operator is ready for you to load your bike. Load your bike while other passengers are boarding. If a passenger getting off the bus wishes to remove their bike, let them do so first.
UNLOADING YOUR BIKE
As The Bus approaches your stop, tell the operator you'll be removing your bike. Leave by the front door. Wait for the driver to acknowledge you.
- Lift and lower the tire hook.
- Lift your bike off and move to the curb side of the bus.
- If no other bikes are being loaded, and the rack is empty, pull the handle in the center of the rack and raise it to its upright position against the front of the bus. The rack is securely in position when you hear the latch snap into place.
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Lost and Found
If you lost something on a Merced County Transit Bus, call 384-3111 and ask our Lost & Found department if it's been turned in. If it has, you can pick up your lost item at 880 Thornton Road, Merced. We hold lost items for 30 days.
If you find something on a Bus, please give it to the driver.
You can also contact us via email at thebus@co.merced.ca.us
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Accommodations for Senior & Mobility Challenged Riders
The front of every Bus has priority seating for Senior and Disabled riders.
All Buses have lift mechanisms to assist customers in wheelchairs or with other mobility impairments to board. Bus Drivers welcome the opportunity to assist you.
Special Senior Fares
The Area Agency on the Aging subsidizes senior bus passes making the cost of a monthly bus pass only $12.00 for those people 60 years of age or older. This pass entitles seniors to unlimited use of Dial-A-Ride and fixed route service throughout Merced County.
Dial-A-Ride helps people with disabilities get around
Dial-A-Ride, provides lift-equipped vans and sedans for people whose disabilities prevent them from using or getting to regularly scheduled Bus services. This door to door service is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays.
Reserve a trip: Call between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day, from one to 7 days in advance to reserve a trip. In order to get Dial-A-Ride service or to be registered for service, please call us at 209-384-3111 in the Merced-Atwater area or (800) 345-3111 in all other Merced County communities. You can also contact us via email at thebus@co.merced.ca.us.
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