Have you ever considered taking the bus, but aren't sure how?
If this is your first experience riding the bus or you are considering trying the bus, you may be a little nervous. Don't worry, apprehension is understandable. LexTran personnel are ready to help you in any way they can.
I don't ride the bus everyday, but I do think about riding on occasion. What are my options?
1. How do I know when and where to catch LexTran?
2. How do I know I am getting on the correct bus?
3. How much does it cost to ride LexTran? And where can I buy a pass?
4. Where does the fare go?
5. Do I pay to transfer?
6. What are the rules for behavior on the bus?
7. Where should I sit?
8. How do I signal the driver I want to get off?
9. What if I lost something on the bus?
10. Are LexTran buses wheelchair accessible?
11. How many buses does LexTran have, how much does a bus cost, and how does LexTran pay for buses?
12. How do LexTran’s fares compare to other transit systems’ fares?
13. Why do I sometimes see empty LexTran buses?
14. Why doesn’t LexTran use smaller buses during less busy times?
15. Why do I sometimes see buses just sitting at the side of the road?
16. Who decides where bus stops should be?
17.Who decides where bus stops or shelters should be?
18.Why doesn’t LexTran have more service outside the City of Lexington?
19.Why isn’t there more information at bus stops?
20.Why are sidewalks absent from some roads LexTran has routes?
21.How can my employer help pay for employee transit benefits?
1. How do I know when and where to catch LexTran?
You can view all schedules by clicking on "Bus Routes & Schedules Link" at the left and bottom of this page, or you can dial 859-253-4636 anytime between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday - Friday or Saturday and Sunday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. A Customer Service Representative will answer your questions about where and when to catch the bus.
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2. How do I know I am getting on the correct bus?
Destination signs are located above the front window of each bus. These signs identify the route on which the bus is operating and the destination. If you're still not sure, ask the operator. Buses that are not operating on a regular LexTran route will display a message such as "GARAGE", "SPECIAL", or "OUT OF SERVICE."
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3. How much does it cost to ride LexTran?
A LexTran monthly pass is the way to go; you can ride an unlimited number of times during that calendar month for only $30. Regular fare is $1.00, Senior citizens, Medicare cardholders and passengers with disabilities can ride LexTran regular service for a reduced fare $.50 with proof of age (65 and over) or disability, Medicare or SSI assistance.
Passes can be purchased at the following locations:
- Transit Center @ 200 East Vine St
- Administrative Offices @ 109 West Loudon
- Kroger Stores (30-day unlimited pass only) Lexington, Versailles, Winchester Nicholasville and Richmond
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4. Where does the fare go?
Enter the front door and place exact fare (operators cannot make change) in the fare box located in front of the door at the top of the steps. Just slide your ticket or cash fare into the fare box.
5. Do I pay to transfer?
Transfers are tickets that allow you to change buses from one route to another anywhere routes meet or intersect. All transfers are free; however you must obtain your transfer ticket from your operator at the beginning of your trip when you pay your fare. Please be aware that transfers may not be used to reboard a bus on the same route or for return trips.
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6. What are the rules for behavior on the bus?
To make bus travel comfortable and safe for everyone, smoking, eating, drinking, and pets (other than service animals: any animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.),and talking with the driver while underway, or riding with the driver for visitation are not permitted on LexTran buses. LexTran policy also prohibits radios (except with headphones), vulgar language, and alcoholic beverages.
7. Where should I sit?
The seats in the front of the bus, behind the operator and next to the front door should be offered to passengers who are elderly or disabled. Otherwise, just pick any seat and relax! When seated, please keep arms, legs, and personal items out of the aisles.
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8. How do I signal the driver I want to get off?
About two blocks before your destination, pull the bell cord above the window or press the rubber strip between the windows to signal the driver. Allow the bus to come to a complete stop before you sand to exit. If you have any questions about your return trip, ask the driver before you get off. Please exit through the rear door.
9. What if I lost something on the bus?
If you leave something, call us at 253-INFO (4636) between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday - Friday or Saturday and Sunday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. and we will try to locate it. When calling, give us a description of the item, the bus and route number, the direction the bus was traveling and the time you lost it. LexTran is not responsible for lost items. If you find an item that does not belong to you, give it to the driver, so that it can be turned in to lost and found. Lost and found items can only be kept for 30 days.
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10. Are LexTran buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes, LexTran buses are 100% wheelchair accessible.
11. How many buses does LexTran have, how much does a bus cost, and how does LexTran pay for buses?
LexTran’s fleet includes 66 coaches that include vans, 35ft and 40ft buses. We have a daily pull out requirement of 43 buses. Nearly all buses have bike racks on the front and security camera systems. A new bus can cost between $325,000 to $525,000 per vehicle. Most of the funding (80-100%) comes from federal grant dollars, supplemented by state and local capital funds. The federal government requires LexTran to keep its buses a minimum of 12 years or about 500,000 miles and vans a minimum of 5 years or about 150,000 miles if federal funds are used.
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12. How do LexTran’s fares compare to other transit systems’ fares?
LexTran’s $1 base fare is one of the lowest in the region and the country. Take a look at how LexTran’s base fare compares with some Ohio and Kentucky transit systems:
- TANK: $1.25
- TARC: $1.25
- Cincinnati: $1.00
- Cleveland: $1.50
- Columbus: $1.50
- Dayton: $1.25
13. Why do I sometimes see empty LexTran buses?
LexTran’s system is designed to meet peak demand, just like other transportation systems including highways and roads. For example, the vehicle traffic on I-64 during rush hour is much heavier than it is at 2 a.m. Yet, the highway has to be built to accommodate the rush-hour requirement. It’s the same for LexTran. LexTran adjusts the number of buses on the road depending on capacity needed. This means that there are a lot more buses operating during weekday rush hours than in the evenings or on weekends. On Sundays, LexTran operates fewer buses during rush hour on a weekday. Sometimes buses are empty because they are coming from the garage to begin their work. Other times buses may be empty after passengers have exited at a primary destination such as downtown and the bus is just beginning the other leg of its trip.
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14. Why doesn’t LexTran use smaller buses during less busy times?
LexTran is considering smaller buses for some service needs, but substituting a smaller bus would not always save money. A bus that begins work for the afternoon rush hour, for example, may stay out on the road long into the evening. It would not be practical to bring the large bus back to the garage after rush hour and then send out a smaller bus. This would mean lost schedule time, wasted manpower, and increased operating expense. Smaller vehicles work most efficiently on designated services that never require a bigger bus even during rush hour.
15. Why do I sometimes see buses just sitting at the side of the road?
The bus may be picking up or dropping off passengers with a bike, wheelchair or stroller. The bus may be at the layover, which is considered a break for the driver, or the driver may be using the restroom at a convenience store or other designated comfort stop location.
Another reason might be that the bus is running earlier than scheduled. When we plan a schedule, we put in a few extra minutes because things happen (traffic, weather, accidents, etc.) and we want to get back on schedule immediately if these delays occur. Or, the bus may be holding back for a few minutes so it doesn’t run early and miss passengers.
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16. How does LexTran maintain bus stop shelters?
LexTran service workers with assistance from the Urban County Government in the placing of trash receptacles and pick up maintain our shelters.
17. Who decides where bus stops or shelters should be?
Bus stop shelters are typically located in areas where there is a high level of passenger activity or where a number of routes come together. There are about 900 LexTran bus stops in the Lexington service area. LexTran looks for locations that offer safety and customer convenience. However, LexTran must rely on assistance from the Urban County Government and or private land owners to erect shelters.
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18. Why doesn’t LexTran have service outside the City of Lexington?
LexTran is funded through a property tax collected by Fayette County. This is .06/$100.00 of property value for Fayette County Property owners. LexTran does not receive other local taxes. More service outside the city would require more funding from some other source.
19. Why isn’t there more information at bus stops?
With over 900 stops, adding information and keeping that information up to date can be challenging. In the upcoming years we will be looking at ways to enhance the information available on the street as well as information that is provided through our phone system and website.
20. Why are sidewalks absent from some roads LexTran has routes?
Many of the streets in Lexington were developed without sidewalks ¾some were planned to be added later and some streets were developed without sidewalks at the desire of the individual property owner. Regardless of the presence of sidewalks, many people still need to travel via transit to these areas. For this reason many LexTran routes follow streets without sidewalks.
21.How can my employer help pay for employee transit benefits?
LexTran works with local employers to provide a number of options to make it easier and less costly for employees to get to work. Employers can pay for LexTran monthly passes or enter into an agreement with LexTran for a company-wide pass program. Tax benefits are available for employers and employees when transit benefits are offered.
