RIDER GUIDE

After you decide where you want to go…..

Use the interactive maps on the Central Transit Website or download the Transit app on Google Play or the Apple Store to plan your trip.

Taking an Unfamiliar Route? Check the interactive map on our website or just enter your destination into the Transit app & tap GO: it will tell you when to leave for the stop, when to hurry up (if you’re late), when to disembark & transfer!

When’s Your Ride Coming? No Search Required!! Check the interactive map on our website, or use the Transit app to get upcoming departure times for all your nearby routes. Open the app and there they are! So Simple.

Need More Info? Tap your transit line to watch your bus approach on the map!

SMS Text Messages or IVR Interactive Voice Response Messaging Now Available!

While waiting at a bus stop, you can text or talk the bus stop # to 509-297-8861 and instantly receive tracking info for the next arriving bus and route. The bus stop number is located on the bottom of the bus stop sign along with the number to text or call. For a route-specific request, add the route # number after the bus stop # to receive info for only that route. Example: 324 12 where 324 is the bus stop # and 12 is the route number.

(Hard copies of the routes and schedules are available online, on most buses, at major retailers, hotels, and public agencies.)

Where Do the Buses Stop? All bus stops have a Central Transit bus sign where the buses will stop. Many of our popular stops have lit bus shelters complete with artwork from local artists.

When Should I be at the Bus Stop? We recommend you arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive or depart.

Do I have to wear a Seatbelt? Washington State law requires riders to wear a seatbelt when riding the bus.

Are there Stop Announcements? Yes, major transfer and destination points will be announced on all fixed route buses and bus drivers will announce other stops upon request. In many cases, the driver will ask where you want to exit the bus when you board. In addition, you may use the pull-cord running along the bus windows. When it is pulled the driver will stop at the next bus stop on the route.

At each bus stop the bus will come to a full stop, and riders will board or exit.

Entering the Bus: After the bus is fully stopped, and the door to the bus is open, board the bus and quickly take a seat.

Exiting the Bus: As your stop approaches, gather up any belongings you might have, and prepare to exit the bus.

Remember, never walk in front of the bus to cross the street.

We hope you enjoy your ride!

FAQ:

Do I have to Wear a Mask when Riding the Bus? No. The CDC does not requires everyone on board to wear a mask, however, if you are ill, please stay home.

Can I Bring my Service Animal on the bus? Yes.

The service animal must be on a leash tether or harness unless use of such a device would interfere with the task the service animal performs or the person’s disability prevents uses of such devices. The animal must remain at your feet or on your lap. Animals may not sit on a vehicle seat. The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals.

Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and cats must be kept in an enclosed carrier/container.

Does it Cost to Ride? No.

Central Transit is fare free for all riders.

Are the buses ADA accessible? Yes.

All buses have accessible lifts. Please note your mobility device must be in good working order; with batteries charged, tires inflated, and all parts secure. Drivers use front and rear tie-downs to secure mobility devises and a lap and shoulder belt to secure passengers.

Can I use a 3 wheeled scooter? Yes, however, upon entering the bus, for your safety, please transfer to a seat.

Feeling unsteady? Our bus drivers will be happy to provide assistance upon request.

Can I bring Portable Oxygen? Yes.

Portable oxygen devices are allowed to travel with respirators and properly secured portable oxygen tanks which must not obstruct the aisle.

Can I bring my bike? Yes.

All buses are equipped with bike racks on the front of the bus which hold two bikes. Riders are responsible to load and unload their own bikes and space on the racks is on a first come basis. Bikes are NOT allowed inside the buses and Central Transit is not responsible for any damage incurred to or caused by bicycles on Central Transit property. Motorized bikes are not allowed.

CABULANCE SERVICE

What is Cabulance Service?

Cabulance is a City of Ellensburg service which operates 24-7 to provide accessible non-emergency medical transportation for individuals within the City of Ellensburg to and from specific medical facilities as initiated by Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue, Kittitas Valley Hospital and other contracted facilities.

REGIONAL TRANSIT CONNECTIONS:

Apple Line | Okanogan County Transit Authority (okanogantransit.com)  – Service between Ellensburg and Omak.

Bellair Airport Shuttle – Yakima to SeaTac and Seattle via Ellensburg and return.

FlixBus – Serving cities in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Greyhound Bus Service – Nationwide

Kittitas County Connector  – Certain areas within Kittitas County.

Yakima-Ellensburg Commuter  Ellensburg to Yakima and return. Route 11 Schedule | Yakima Transit

RULES OF RIDER CONDUCT

OUR RULES OF RIDER CONDUCT DEFINE THE TYPES OF ACTIONS WHICH ARE PROHIBITED ON ALL CENTRAL TRANSIT VEHICLES, AT BUS STOPS AND BUS SHELTERS.

To make your ride comfortable and safe, Central Transit’s “Rules of Conduct” clearly state the behaviors not allowed on Central Transit’s buses, at bus stops and bus shelters. Please respect the rights of other riders to ensure all riders have a positive experience riding the bus. A rider’s privileges may be suspended for any of the following infractions on Central Transit vehicles, at bus stops, and bus shelters:

Smoking, vaping or carrying a lit pipe, cigar, or cigarette. (Must be 25 feet from the bus)

Using alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

Eating on the bus or drinking from an uncovered container.

Discarding litter in places other than the designated receptacle.

Playing music which can be heard by others.

Sleeping, lying down or occupying more than one seat.

Distracting, disturbing or harassing drivers.

Loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, or harassing behavior.

Using profanity.

Engaging in other conduct inconsistent with the intended purpose of the vehicle, bus stop or bus shelter.

Carrying weapons.

For a complete copy of the Rules of Conduct, email us at [email protected]

YOUTH POLICY

Ellensburg Central Transit’s goal is to provide safe, clean and efficient transportation for persons of all ages.  To ride safely, passengers should be able to adapt to unexpected situations such as bus service delays, trip cancellations, detours or other service disruptions.  For these reasons, Central Transit recommends an adult or a responsible person of not less than 14 years accompany youths under the age of 10, when riding any Central Transit bus.

An adult or responsible older person of at least 14 years of age should accompany Paratransit passengers under 10 years of age. All Paratransit trips have a defined pick up and destination, however the operator cannot be responsible for a paratransit passenger before leaving the trip origin or after the passenger reaches their destination.

 Youths 10 years of age or older may ride Central Transit buses unaccompanied, however the following recommendations can help make riding a more pleasant and safe experience.

• Identification should be carried, listing their name, address, home phone number and the contact information for their primary guardian.

• The parent or other responsible person should review the details of the trip with the young passenger prior to travel. Details to review include the bus route they will be riding, the locations where they will be getting on and off the bus and landmarks along the route so they are always aware of their location. It is a good idea to take some practice runs with the child so they understand the procedures and become comfortable with the process of riding the bus.
• The parent or other responsible person should remain with the child at the pick-up location until the bus leaves. Should a delay occur, the child will be much more comfortable waiting with someone they are familiar with than waiting alone.  It will also be more comfortable for the youth to have someone they know to help make arrangements if the trip is canceled or detoured.
• For safety, the youth should sit as close as possible to the bus operator.
• Ellensburg Central Transit recommends that no youths travel unaccompanied during hours of darkness.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THE YOUNG PASSENGER UNDERSTANDS THAT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR A PROBLEM ON BOARD THE BUS, THEY SHOULD ASK FOR HELP FROM THE BUS OPERATOR.

Ellensburg Central Transit is responsible to provide service for all of our customers and cannot neglect these responsibilities in order to monitor unaccompanied children.  Bus operators will be glad to answer questions when the bus is not in motion. If asked, the operator will do their best to verify the correct bus is boarded and the child exits the bus at the correct stop. Please note that the operators will try, but cannot guarantee, that a youth boards the correct bus, exits the bus at the correct location or that they will supervise an unaccompanied child.

Please mail comments to HopeSource at 606 West 3rd Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926 or to Betsy Dunbar, Transit Manager at 501 N Anderson St. Ellensburg, WA 98926

TITLE VI:

NOTICE TO PUBLIC
This hereby gives public notice that it is the policy of WSDOT to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related nondiscrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. It is our policy that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs or activities. This includes the entire operations of WSDOT and any sub-recipients.
Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be filed in writing or in person with Washington Department of Transportation, Office Equal Opportunity, 310 Maple Park Ave., P.O. Box 47314, Olympia, WA 98504, within one hundred-eighty (180) days following the date of the alleged discriminatory action.

AVISO AL PÚBLICO
Esto da aviso público que es la política de WSDOT para asegurar la completa conformidad con el título VI de la ley de derechos civiles de 1964, la ley de restauración de los derechos civiles de 1987 y relacionados con la no discriminación estatutos y reglamentos en todos los programas y actividades. Nuestra política es que ninguna persona en los Estados Unidos de América, por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad, o discapacidad serán excluidos de la participación en, ser negado los beneficios de, o lo contrario ser objeto de discriminación en cualquiera de nuestros programas o actividades. Esto incluye las operaciones todas de WSDOT y cualquier subreceptores.
Cualquier persona que cree que él o ella ha sido sometida a una práctica discriminatoria ilegal bajo el título VI tiene derecho a presentar una queja formal. Cualquier denuncia debe ser presentada por escrito o en persona con el Departamento de transporte de Washington, oficina de igualdad de oportunidades, 310 Maple Park Ave., P.O. Box 47314, Olympia, WA 98504, dentro de ciento ochenta 180 días siguientes a la fecha de la presunta acción discriminatoria.