Community Transit

What is Transit Instruction?

Transit Instruction is like Bus Riding 101 provided to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and non-English speaking customers. The free program is designed to provide the necessary assistance for each person to successfully learn how to use Community Transit's regular route bus system.

Instruction is customized to meet individual needs and can last from one hour to several days however long it takes for the rider to feel safe and confident using Community Transits regular bus service.

Group presentations and training are available for senior centers and residential facilities, adult family homes, schools, and other organizations. These presentations provide a basic orientation and overview of Community Transit's bus system and public transit options for Snohomish County residents.

What are the benefits of Transit Instruction?

• You have the independence and flexibility to travel whenever and wherever you want
• You dont have to pre-schedule transportation, unlike DART paratransit
• Buses operate on convenient & reliable schedules to major destinations in many areas buses run every 15 minutes
• Bus drivers announce major intersections and landmarks they can alert you at your stop
• The fare to ride the regular bus is often less than the fare to ride DART paratransit
• All of Community Transits local buses are wheelchair accessible
• Most buses have a kneeling feature that makes it easier to step onto the bus

Program Facts

• Approximately 10% of Community Transit bus riders identify themselves as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, or non-English speaking.
• About 125 people participate in Community Transit's Transit Instruction program annually, and over 800 customers have successfully completed the Transit Instruction program since it began in 1996
• Many program participants would otherwise use Community Transits DART paratransit service. DART costs the agency approximately 6 times more to operate than a regular route bus trip
• Community Transit's Transit Instruction program has saved taxpayers over $2.3 million dollars since its inception. These savings are based on the average number of regular route bus trips per week taken by program participants compared to the cost of paratransit trips they might otherwise have taken.

Topics Covered in Transit Instruction

• What bus to take
• Best route to take to/from the bus stop
• Where bus stops are located
• How to pay fare and obtain bus passes
• How to use transfers
• Boarding tips, including how to use the ramp or wheelchair lift
• How to signal for a stop
• How to transfer between buses
• What to do if you miss the bus
• What to do in an emergency
• Pedestrian safety skills
• How to read schedules
• How to get assistance planning your bus trip
• General information and bus rules