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The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) is your public transportation service. The MVRTA serves the northeast corner of Massachusetts with over 1 million miles of scheduled bus routes.
Bordered on the north and east by the state of New Hampshire and the Atlantic Ocean, the MVRTA bus service area includes AnI''m on holddover, Amesbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimack, Methuen, Newburyport, and North Andover. The Authority also provides service to the Lowell Transit Center for connections with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority. At the MVRTA, we constantly strive to make your transit experience pleasant, and make sure you arrive safely and on time.
The MVRTA operates Monday through Saturday. Service is not provided on Sundays or on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Please take the time to read the following Bus Service Customer Guide as it will familiarize you with the MVRTA and make your traveling easier.
IS THERE ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES?
Wheelchair passengers must enter from the rear entrance. Driver will operate the lift and will assist in positioning your wheelchair in close proximity to this entrance.
1. You may also visit the Transit Centers which serve as customer information centers where you can obtain complete schedule, route, and fare information and make various types of utility payments. An MVRTA customer service representative will be happy to assist you in planning your trip. Washington Square Transit Station Buckley Transportation Center 2. You can also reach us by telephone at 978.469.6878 between the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM Monday through Saturday. 3. Information is also available through traditional mail upon request to: MVRTA Administration 4. Study a Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) system map, available at transit centers and online at mvrta.com, to see which bus routes serve your area and where you want to go. For ease in reading this system map please note the color-coded bus routes and legend that are printed alongside the map.
Please wait on the correct side of the road that the bus will be traveling as defined by the schedule. As the bus approaches, simple wave to the bus driver who will then stop in a safe location so that you may board the bus.
Although the bus driver will stop for customers along the route, there are certain locations that are not safe to stop and are identified as "no stops" zones on the schedules. Please make note of the "no stops" zones so that you can find an ideal location to wait for the bus. The number of each bus route and destination is displayed on a large sign above the windshield of each bus as well as above the top left of the entrance door.
Another customer friendly feature of the MVRTA buses is the Talking Bus that designates route numbers and destinations by audio announcements at various stop locations.
When you first board the bus, place the fare into the fare box. Although paying the fare with exact change is encouraged, you may insert an amount that is more than the required fare. In such a case, the bus driver will prompt the farebox to issue you a change card, which will subtract the required fare and show the balance of the amount inserted. Change cards can be used towards payments and future fares aboard MVRTA buses. It is important to note that if you qualify for a half-fare rate you must show identification and inform the bus driver of such when boarding the bus. The bus driver will then prompt the farebox to charge and accept the appropriate fare. All transactions are administered through the farebox. It is also important to note that the bus drivers do not make change or handle money in any way. The following tables outline MVRTA fixed route fares:
MVRTA 31 Day and 10 Ride passes, both Full fare and Half fare, may be purchased at the following locations: Amesbury Alliance Buckley Transportation Center Washington Square Transit Station Northern Essex Community College And at these Market Basket grocery stores: Westgate Plaza, 400 Lowell Ave., Haverhill, MA
The MVRTA Boston Commuter Bus from Andover, Lawrence, and Methuen will get you to Government Center, Park Square, Copley Square, and more Monday through Friday mornings with return service in the afternoon. One-way fare is $5, $4.50 for seniors. A 10-ride commuter pass is $40. Fixed route passes are not valid on this service.
Depending on your final destination, you may need to travel on more than one bus. As long as you are traveling in the same direction you may request a transfer from the bus driver. In this case you need to pay your fare on the first bus you board and then ask the driver for a transfer. A transfer is provided at no cost to you. When boarding the next bus insert the transfer card into the farebox which will then display to the bus driver that it is valid. You may then take a seat and travel to your destination. It is important to note that transfers are good only on one continuous trip to another connecting bus. They are not valid on the return trip. Available only at the locations which are listed below: Andover: Old Town Hall, Doctors Park
• Bicycles are allowed on buses if space is available.
The following is a set of guidelines and etiquitte that we ask of our customers to help ensure that we can provide you with safe and efficient service. When boarding the bus, please take a seat if one is available and remain seated while the bus is moving. Federal law required that the MVRTA designate the front seats in the area of the entrance door for use by senior citizens and persons with disabilities if they desire. We ask that you comply with this requirement. Please listen to instructions that may be given by the bus driver. Read informational passenger notices that may be posted on the bus. Such passenger notices are posted behind the bus driver's seat. Customer information signs that outline the fares and the transfer policy are also installed on buses and run across both sides of the bus. Proper attire to include shirts and shoes are required while traveling on all MVRTA vehicles. Ice skates, roller blades, and roller skates are not permitted to be worn on the bus and if you are traveling with such items please ensure that they are secured, preferably inside a bag or backpack. State law prohibits any child stroller, package, or other items from blocking the aisle. We ask that you comply with this requirement for customer safety. Please keep your hands and head inside the bus and remain clear of the opening and closing of doors.
Please abide by these rules while on board an MVRTA bus: Drivers will ask customers who do not observe the rules to leave the bus. Local police assistance will be obtained if required.
If you have lost something on the bus, give us a call at 978.469.6878 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. You may either select option 2 (bus schedule and route information) or simply wait on the line to be connected to a customer service representative. A customer service representative will then transfer you to the appropriate department. If calling after business hours or on Sunday please leave a message in the general voicemail and a representative from the appropriate department will respond to you the next business day. The MVRTA will retain all found items for a period of 30 days. The MVRTA is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. back to top
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It
is important to note that all MVRTA buses are equipped with wheelchair
lifts and kneelers. Each bus can carry up to two persons in wheelchairs
at one time. We may not be able to accommodate you if your wheelchair
or scooter is longer than 48 inches or wider than 32 inches or if your
total weight with your wheelchair exceeds 600 pounds.
All-Day
Passes allow one passenger unlimited rides for an entire day. When boarding
the MVRTA bus simply advise the bus operator that you would like to
purchase an All-Day Pass. The All-Day Pass will then be issued directly
from the farebox once you deposit the appropriate fare. When using the
All-Day Pass you will simply have to swipe the pass through the MVRTA
farebox each time you board the bus throughout the day.
When
you see that the bus is nearing your destination point, you should press
the signal tape that runs vertically between the windows to let the
bus driver know that this is where you want to get off. Please wait
until the bus stops completely before leaving your seat. Then, proceed
to either the front or rear exit, being sure to use the handrail when
descending the exit stairs.