Riding With Us

Buses are equipped with bike racks that will accommodate up to two bicycles. The racks are located on the front of the bus.

When the driver opens the door, please allow passengers to exit before stepping into the bus. Use the handrails for safety. Show your pass or put your cash into the fare box. Ask for a transfer if you need to take another bus to complete your one-way trip. Find a seat. If there are no seats, please stand at the back of the bus. Hold onto the handrails, especially if the bus is moving.

Please leave the front seats available for passengers who have difficulty standing. The wheelchair tie-downs are also located under the front flip-up seats. If a passenger boards in a wheelchair, passengers sitting in these seats will be asked to move.

Bus drivers do not automatically stop at every stop. When you want to get off the bus, pull the bell cord above the windows before the bus reaches your stop. Walk to the nearest door to get off. When the bus comes to a complete stop, step down and push the bar to exit. Be careful not to get scarves or bags caught in the door. Be alert for snow-covered and very slippery steps during the winter season. Step down from the bus onto the curb. If you must cross the street, wait until the bus has left the stop. If you are not sure where your stop is, you can ask the driver to call it out to you.

• Dress appropriately for potential longer wait times in outdoor conditions.
• Track your bus in real time with the Transit mobile app.
• As snow or ice accumulates, transit service will be affected. See the winter event levels listed below for what to expect
• If your bus stop is in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom or top of the hill where the operator can safely stop.
• Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop and doors open. Buses can slide sideways in slippery conditions.
• When roads are snowy or icy, buses will not pull all the way over to the curb to avoid getting stuck. Be careful when walking between the bus and the curb.

Notifications of service changes will be posted on the website by 5 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends. 

• Use Transit mobile app for announcements and to track your bus in real time. 
• Check the Service Alerts section of the RPT website.
• Follow Rochester Public Transit on Facebook for the most current service alerts.
• Rider assistance is available daily when buses are in operation at 507-328-RIDE (7433)
• Local media is notified of service delays and suspensions, but there can be a lag before that information is broadcast.

LEVEL 1: WINTER WEATHER EVENT 

Slippery road conditions, falling snow, or a predicted three (3) inches or less of snow. RPT Service impact:

• Delays are likely on all routes
• Buses will not stop on hills
• ZIPS service delays expected

LEVEL 2: WINTER WEATHER EVENT

Snowy or icy road conditions with around 3 to 10 inches of snow expected. Timing or rate of ice or snow accumulation prevents clearing of some transit routes. RPT Service impact:

• Delays on all routes
• Some routes may have to detour to avoid steep hills
• Routes or sections of routes may be suspended if unplowed
• ZIPS Service delays. Non-essential or non-return trips may be cancelled

LEVEL 3: WINTER WEATHER STORM

Icy road conditions and/or 10+ inches of snow with additional accumulation expected. Timing or rate of ice or snowfall prevents many transit routes from clearing. RPT Service impact:

• Significant delays 
• Some trips may be cancelled, routes or sections of routes may be suspended 
• Potential that all neighborhood fixed-route service will be suspended (delay the start of service in the morning, or end early in the evening).
• Park & Ride service may continue to operate to return commuters to their parked vehicles. 
• ZIPS Service suspended. 

LEVEL 4: SEVERE WINTER WEATHER STORM

The National Weather Service declares a severe winter storm or blizzard warning with excessive snow and/or cold weather. Safe operation of the transit service is not possible. RPT Service impact:

• All transit service is suspended. 

Find the bus stop nearest to your location. Please call (507) 328-RIDE (7433) if you need help finding a bus stop. Be at the bus stop before the scheduled time, as the bus passes that point on its route. Please line up if there are other passengers waiting at the stop. Have your cash, ticket, or mobile fare ready. Remember, the bus driver does not give change. When you see the bus approaching, make sure you are in plain view of the driver and raise your hand to signal a stop. The bus will pull in and stop as close to the bus stop sign as possible. Do not stand inside a shelter or doorway because the driver may not see you and could pass the stop.

All buses are wheelchair accessible.  All buses are low-floor and have wheelchair ramps. Buses will also kneel to lower floor height for easier boarding. Two wheelchair tie-down positions are located under the front flip-up seats. The driver will assist in securing wheelchairs.