You may board an MTD bus at any safe street corner along its scheduled route, except on the University of Illinois campus where some routes have designated stop locations.

While MTD drivers make every effort to operate on schedule, please remember that traffic and other factors may affect arrival times. To ensure that you catch your bus, make sure that you’re at your stop a few minutes before it’s scheduled to depart.

Wait for vehicles at street corners, not in the middle of the block. This is an important safety factor, as other traffic on the street must wait while the vehicle is boarding passengers. When you see your bus, signal the driver to let them know you need a ride.

Once the bus has come to a stop and the door opens, step on. The operator will kneel the bus or extend the ramp upon request if you need help boarding the bus.

Please have the exact fare or pass ready when boarding (see Fare& Passes). Drivers can make change up to $5 prior to 7 p.m., but having the exact fare at all times will help keep your bus on time. If you need to transfer to another route to complete your trip, please ask for a transfer slip when you pay your fare.

After paying your fare, please sit in the first available seat, keeping in mind that the first few seats may be reserved for those with special needs. If no seats are available, please stand in the area by the rear door and secure yourself. You should only stand near the front if the bus is full.

When you board the bus, let the driver know the route you’re transferring to and where that transfer will be made, so that he or she can contact your connecting bus and inform the other driver. Once the connecting driver has been contacted, he or she will be required to wait up to two minutes past the scheduled departure time at the transfer location. Every effort will be made to assist passengers in completing transfers without significantly delaying service to others.

When you’re about half a block from your destination, pull the yellow cord that runs along the window to request a stop. As soon as it is safe, the driver will stop the bus and open the doors.

Please use the rear door to exit the bus when other passengers are waiting to board. Use the front door if you need the operator to kneel the bus or extend the ramp. The operator will do so upon request. When exiting the bus, watch for traffic and use caution. For your own safety, never walk in front of the bus.

Bikes are a great (and green) way to extend your travel beyond the regular MTD bus routes. When traveling with your bike, please use the following instructions to prepare your bike for boarding.

• Be ready to load your bike as the bus approaches. Remove water bottles, pumps, and any loose items that might fall off.
• Make sure you have the attention of the operator before you step in front of the bus to load your bike on the rack.
• To access the folded bike rack, squeeze the chrome handle and slowly lower the rack, being careful not to let it drop.
• Lift your bike onto the rack and fit the wheels into the slots. Each slot is labeled for the front and rear wheels. All bikes load exactly the same way.
• Raise and release the wheel lock arm from its magnetized base and place it over the top of the front tire. A spring pulls the arm back, holding the bike securely. Make sure this arm is resting on the tire and not the frame.

• Inform the driver before you get off the bus that you will be removing your bike from the rack.
• To remove your bike, raise the lock arm off the tire and return it to its magnetic base. Lift your bicycle out of the rack toward the curb. If there are no other bikes on the rack, return the rack to the upright position

• No special permit is required and the bike racks are very easy to use.
• You must be at least 13 years old to use the racks, unless accompanied by an adult (18 years or older).
• For your safety, never step to the street side of the bus when loading or unloading your bike.
• Load and unload your bike as quickly as possible to help ensure your fellow passengers reach their destinations on time.
• Please do not attempt to bring your bike inside the bus. If the bike rack is full, you will have to wait for the next bus.
• For safety and security reasons, the operator will not leave the bus to assist with the loading or unloading of bicycles.
• PLEASE NOTE: The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is not responsible for personal injury, property damages or property loss arising from the use of this equipment. Use at your own risk.