Who can ride?

Services are available to the general public.

Fares

rT service is fare-free! 

When is rT in service?

ruralTRANSIT operates Monday through Saturday from 6 am to 6 pm.

Holiday Schedule

Buses do not operate on the following holidays (or the day they are observed):

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Inclement Weather

Call Customer Service at 1-253-472-7846 to check for delays caused by snow and other bad weather. Vehicles may be delayed or rerouted to keep everyone safe.

Check with all transit agencies you’ll use for your trip, as each provider makes their own decisions about bad weather. Remember to dress warmly and wear bright, reflective clothing to keep yourself safe.

Are buses accessible? What about bikes?

All rT buses are accessible for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Bike racks are available on all buses. Bikes are not allowed inside the vehicle.

What if I can’t make it to an rT bus stop?

RuralTRANSIT has two options for picking up passengers at stops other than those specifically dedicated: Flagging down the bus, or route deviations.

Flagging down the bus

Flagging down the bus means waving to the driver for them to stop. Accepting flag-downs is at the discretion of each rT bus driver. To flag down a driver, give them enough time for a safe stop. If the stop is deemed safe and you have been seen by the driver, they will stop and pick you up.  

• Tip: Use your mobile phone’s flashlight to assist in being seen, particularly if you’re waiting in inclement weather or in darkness. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Route deviations

Route deviations mean that bus drivers deviate from a route to pick up a passenger. ruralTRANSIT can deviate up to ¾ of a mile from a route. Route deviations must be scheduled in advance by calling customer service. Read rT’s route deviation policy here. 

Rules and Policies of the Bus

State law (RCW 9.91.025) and Rural Transit policy determines appropriate transit behavior. Violators may be banned from service, fined, or arrested. Riders may not:

• Ride continuously – i.e., all riders must exit the bus within one full round trip.
• Smoke, including but not limited to tobacco, marijuana, electronic, cigarettes, vaping, rolling or chewing tobacco.
• Consume an alcoholic beverage, carry an open alcoholic beverage, or be intoxicated.
• Discard litter, other than in designated receptacles. Dump or discard any materials at a transit stop, including hazardous materials or automotive fluids. Carry any dangerous materials on the vehicle.
• Carry a firearm in a way that causes alarm. This does not prevent a passenger from carrying a firearm or ammunition in a way that is not otherwise prohibited by law.
• Board without wearing a shirt, pants/shorts, and shoes.
• Harass drivers, other employees, or riders.
• Disturb others by engaging in loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, threatening, or harassing behavior, including the use of profanity.
• Play music/other audio that can be heard by others (headphones are allowed).
• Sleep, lie down, or occupy more than one seat.
• Deface or damage property.
• Refuse to move from seats designated to accommodate passengers with disabilities, using mobility devices and seniors.
• Obstruct or impede the flow of transit vehicles or passenger traffic.
• Engage in gambling or games of chance for the winning of money or anything of value.

Riders must maintain a reasonable level of personal hygiene.

Riders must not violate federal, state, or municipal laws.

Riders must follow bus operator directions.

Stroller Policy

• Collapsible strollers are allowed on the bus if the stroller is collapsed, and the child is removed.
• The stroller must be always controlled by an adult.
• The stroller cannot block aisles, doors, steps, or emergency exits.

Animal Policy

• Riders may not bring animals on the bus, except in suitable containers unless the animal is a service animal.
• Rural Transit allows service animals on all buses. Washington State Law states that a service animal “is an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a sensory, mental, or physical disability of a person with a disability.” (RCW 49.60.40(24)). These working animals: may be any breed of dog; are permitted to go wherever their handler is permitted to go; are allowed even if others have fears of/allergies to dogs; must be always under the handler’s control (harness/ leash); must be housebroken; and may not pose a legitimate, direct threat to health and safety of others. 
• Pets are not service animals. Service Animals in Training and Comfort/Emotional Support animals are not service animals. 
• Drivers may ask two questions when a disability is not obvious. Individuals traveling with an animal must be able to answer these questions.

1. Is the animal a pet?
2. What is the animal trained to do for you?