How to Ride

Travel Training videos:

Take a few minutes to view a series of videos that the MeVa has created on how to use MeVa’s fixed route buses! Whether you are new to the Merrimack Valley area or just need a quick refresher, our Travel Training videos will show you how easy it is to ride with us. Click on a video below or click here to go to our YouTube Channel.

Videos de entrenamiento para utilizar los autobuses:

¡Tómese unos minutos para ver una serie de videos que MeVa ha creado a cerca de como tomar el autobús! Ya sea que se haya mudado recientemente al área del Valle del Merrimack o necesite actualizarse, nuestros videos de entrenamiento de como tomar el autobús le demostrará lo fácil que es viajar con nosotros.  Haga clic en unos de los siguientes videos o haga clic aquí para ir a nuestro canal de YouTube.

Các video huấn luyện

Xin dành vài phút để xem loạt video do MeVa thực hiện để biết cách dùng xe buýt MeVa trên lộ trình cố định! Dù quý vị mới đến khu vực Merrimack Valley hoặc muốn được nhắc nhở thêm, hãy xem các video huấn luyện để thấy việc đi lại với chúng tôi là một điều rất dễ dàng. Bấm vào video dưới đây hoặc bấm vào đây để vào đài của chúng tôi trên YouTube.

出行培训视频

请花几分钟时间观看MVRTA创作的系列视频,这些视频介绍了如何使用MVRTA 的固定路线公共汽车!无论您新近搬入Merrimack Valley地区,还是只需要一个简单的提醒,我们的出行培训视频都将为您展示乘坐我们的公共汽车是多么简单易行。单击下方的视频或单击此处访问我们的YouTube频道。

Click here to view our Bus Service Customer Guide

About our flag policy

MeVa Transit is currently a “flag stop” system. This means we do not have any fixed bus stops. Riders just stand along the route and wave the bus down. The bus will pull over as close as possible while maintaining safety. MeVa Transit is beginning to transition towards fixed bus stops. You will begin to see our bus stop signs and shelters popping up throughout our service area to make it easier to know where to stand to catch the bus. The times on our schedules tell you when the bus will pass your location. Also, you can download the Transit App for real time bus tracking data.

How to get on the bus                                                                                                                              Stand on the side of the road and wave to the driver as the bus is approaching. You must be on the same side of the street as the bus and in a safe spot. If it is not safe to stop where you are standing the bus may pass you and stop farther down the street where they will wait for you to board. All of our buses are free. You do not need a card or a special pass to ride. Just walk on the bus. All of our buses are fully accessible, accommodating mobility devices. Our fixed route buses “kneel” eliminating any large steps. The driver can also deploy a ramp upon request to close any access gaps to get on the bus.

How to get off the bus                                                                                                                                When you see the bus is nearing your destination point, alert the driver by pressing the yellow signal tape that runs vertically between the windows.

About No Stop Zones                                                                                                                                    No Stop Zones are areas that MeVa Transit has designated as too dangerous or unsafe for the bus to stop. Passengers may not get on or off the bus within this No Stop Zone. We have worked hard to minimize and eliminate No Stop Zones along our routes, however, some still remain. You will find the No Stop Zones for your route on the individual Route information pages.

Where to find schedules                                                                                                                              All schedules are available online and are print friendly. Schedules are also available at both the Haverhill and Lawrence Transit Centers, and at our main office in Haverhill.

Lost and Found                                                                                                                                                If you have lost something on one of our vehicles, give us a call at 978-469-6878 option 2, between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. Be advised that MeVa Transit is not responsible for lost or stolen articles and cannot use our video monitors to find out what happened to your missing items. MeVa Transit will retain all found items for a period of 30 days.

Bring your bike on MeVa Transit’s buses

All MeVa Transit buses are equipped with easy-to-use bike racks in the front that can hold two bikes and are available on a first-come, first served basis.  Each bike is held securely by a spring-loaded clamp.  The bikes do not touch the bus or the other bike on the rack.

Follow these instructions when loading and unloading a bicycle:

LOADING

  1. Remove any loose items that may fall off your bike while the bus is in motion.
  2. Once the bus comes to a complete stop, indicate to the driver that you will be loading your bicycle onto the rack and step to the front of the bus to load your bike.
  3. To release the rack, squeeze the center handle and slowly lower it. If the rack is already lowered and a bike is in position, use the other available bike wheel well.
  4. After lowering the rack, lift your bicycle into the available wheel well, making sure that the front wheel is placed on the side labeled “front wheel.” If only one bike is being loaded, use the position nearest the bus, handlebars toward the curb.
  5. Pull out and up on the support arm and hook the arm securely over the top of your front wheel as close to the frame as possible. A spring pulls the arm back and holds the bike securely in place.

UNLOADING

When you reach your destination, notify the driver that you will be unloading your bike.

  1. Raise the support arm up off the tire and return it to its original position.
  2. Lift your bike out of the bike rack. If the bike rack is empty, please return the rack to its upright position.
  3. Step away from the bus and onto the curb with your bike. Indicate to the bus operator that you are clear of the bus.

Here is video to show you how.

LOADING

  1. Signal to the driver that you need to load your bike. The driver will open the bike compartment and pull out the rack for you. Passengers are not permitted to open the bike compartment themselves.
  2. Lift your bike into the rack and position the handle bars and pedals in the designated spaces. If your bike is the first one in the rack, make sure to use the bottom slot. Then the driver will raise the top bike slot so you can load your bike.
  3. Please make sure your pedals are facing the correct direction, and that you are able to see the bottom pedal through the rack (photo below). You are done and ready to board the bus! The driver will close the bike compartment for you.

UNLOADING

  1. Tell the driver as you get off the bus that you need to unload your bike. The driver will open the bike compartment and pull the rack out for you. Passengers are not permitted to open the bike compartment themselves.
  2. Lift and pull your bike out.
  3. You’re all set to continue on your way. The driver will close the bike compartment for you.

Rules of the rack:

* You must load and unload your bike.  For safety reasons, bus operators cannot get off the bus to assist you.

* Bikes must be transported on these racks and are not allowed inside of the bus.

* Children 10 and younger must be accompanied by adult to load and unload bikes.

* If the bike rack is full, you will have to wait for the next bus.

* Motorized bikes, such as mopeds and motorcycles, are not allowed on any bus rack.

* There is no extra charge for using the bus bike rack. *** MeVa Transit is not responsible for damaged or stolen bicycles***