In the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, Indiana University students, faculty, and staff who ride Bloomington Transit buses need to download the new Umo Mobility app to continue riding fare-free.
Create a Umo Mobility account
- Download the “Umo Mobility” app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Read “Terms of Use and Privacy Policy” and select the checkbox to continue.
- Tap “Get Started.”
- Tap “Continue” and select location-sharing preference.
- Tap “Continue” and select push-notification preference.
- Choose “United States” and “Bloomington Transit, Monroe County, Indiana.”
- On the main page, tap “Sign in” and “Create a new account” using your cell phone number or IU email address.
- Follow the steps to complete your account creation.
Then, access your “Benefit Code” and redeem it in the “Umo” app.o access your benefit code,
- Log into the IU Card Management app, tap “My ID Card” and scroll down to find your benefit code.
- Open the Umo app, tap the icon with three horizontal lines and select “Redeem Benefit Code.”
- Enter the 8 characters of your benefit code that follow “BT” and tap “Redeem Code.”
- And that’s it! Each time you board a Bloomington Transit bus, open the “Umo” app and scan the dynamic QR code to ride for free!
The code is available as of August 14, 2025. Each unique benefit code may only be redeemed once and will be valid until July 31, 2026.
NOTE: IU students, faculty and staff who do not own a smartphone may use their valid, physical Crimson Card issued by the university. That card will be accepted on Bloomington Transit bus validators.
Prepare to board at a designated bus stop or shelter and have your mobile device in hand with the Umo Mobility app open, ready to scan.
Enter at the front of the bus and place your Umo QR code face down on the Umo fare validator machine.
- If the screen turns Green or Yellow, your fare has been accepted.
- If the screen turns Red, your fare was not accepted.
NOTE: If you accidentally tap your QR code twice in a row, the screen may turn red even though your pass is valid.
If you need additional assistance or have any outstanding questions, please let us know! You can post a comment on this page in the section below and/or reach out to us directly:
Customer Service line: 812-336-7433
Email: [email protected]
Click here to view additional contact options
BUS TRACKING
Bloomington Transit uses ETA Spot as its bus tracking technology. With ETA Spot, you are able to access real-time location statuses and service updates. On the mobile app or browser, you can select/toggle which routes you would like to see and which you would like to hide.
Download The App
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eta-spot/id1021211544
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.etatransit
You can also access ETA Spot on your preferred browser: https://bloomingtontransit.etaspot.net
TRIP PLANNING
You can plan your trip in advance using the trip planning feature on our website: https://bloomingtontransit.com/trip-planner/
Bloomington Transit bus routes are also programmed into Google Maps and Apple Maps and Bing Maps – if you prefer to use any of those resources for trip planning.
If you are expected to travel after 9:00 p.m. from Monday–Friday, we would suggest taking advantage of our Late Nite on Demand program: https://bloomingtontransit.com/late-nite/
Bloomington Transit provides rides to those in the later evenings, Monday through Friday from 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm through a partnership with Uber and Lyft. Each trip must start AND end within the blue shaded area of this city map.
- Download the Uber and/or Lyft app on your mobile device
- Create an account, update your rider information
- If you are taking a trip that starts and ends within the service area (pictured below) between 9:00p-11:59p you are eligible for a BT discount
- Enter the Discount Voucher Code provided by BT as a method of payment. CLICK HERE to access the code/s (they change every month).
- If your trip is eligible for a discount, it will be applied to your payment
- Riders pay the first $2 of any trip, and amount over $12
- Take your trip!
If your require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or you do not own a smartphone, you may call BT Dispatch at 812-336-7433 to schedule a ride during this time.
*Limited Availability. No cash value. Maximum discount of $12.00 per redemption. Maximum of 2 trips per account per night. To redeem discount, Uber Voucher code must be applied to Payment section of the Uber App prior to requesting the intended trip. Uber Voucher is only valid for rides requested/orders placed using applicable Uber App.
Taxes and other fees will be covered provided that the value of the Uber Voucher is greater than the total order amount. Offer is non-transferable, subject to change or cancellation. Issues involving redemption and/or use of the Uber Voucher code should be directed to Bloomington Transit at 812-336-7433.
A map of BT Late Nite service area is highlighted below. The BT Late Nite service area extends a quarter mile from the following routes: 1 North, 1 South, 2 West, 2 South, 3 East, 3 West, 4 South, 4 West, 5 and 7.
Another option to ride Bloomington Transit besides the fixed route system is by using BLink Microtransit: https://bloomingtontransit.com/blink/
BLink Microtransit offers a direct route to and from designated stops for riders within any of the three zones (Downtown-red, North-blue and East-orange) designated on this city map.
BLink Microtransit operates Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rides may be booked up to 24 hours in advance or ordered on demand.
How Do I Book A Trip?
BLink Microtransit is operated on the RideCo booking platform. Download the “BloomingtonLink” mobile app (Apple Store or Google Play), or visit Book.BLink.RideCo.com to book your ride.
First time users will need to register an account with a unique email and phone number that is not associated with any existing account. See the steps to register an account and book a ride HERE.
How Much Does It Cost?
BLink Microtransit rides are $2 per one-way trip per person.
Passengers can pay on board using cash or on the “BloomingtonLink” mobile app/website with a credit/debit card. Passengers need to select which form of payment they will be using when they book. Exact fare is required – drivers will not make change.
NOTE: If using a credit/debit card in the “BloomingtonLink” app to pay for your trip, you will be charged at the time of booking. If you cancel your trip, a refund will not be issued. You can receive ride credits in lieu of a refund that may be used for future bookings.
More Information
If you do not have access to the internet and need to schedule a BLink Microtransit ride, call 812-336-7433 and choose option 3.
Email: [email protected]
BLink passengers have the following responsibilities:
- Pay the proper fare to the driver at the time of the trip.
- Treat BLink personnel and other passengers with respect.
- Be ready to board as soon as your vehicle arrives.
- Be at the specified pickup point to board the vehicle. It is not the drivers’ responsibility to look for the passenger in buildings or elsewhere.
- Limit “no shows” and cancellations since these affect service availability and timeliness for others. NOTE: Repeated no-shows and late cancellations of booked trips may result in booking restrictions and/or denial of service.
- Obey all vehicle and service rules with respect to no eating or drinking on vehicles, no smoking on vehicles, no playing loud music, proper use of seatbelts, keeping service animals under control, not bringing oversized packages and other items, not asking the driver to attend to personal requests of the passenger such as entering their home, handling keys, medications, or running errands.
- Repeated failure to adhere to the responsibilities outlined above may result in refusal of service and possible sanctions in future use of the service.
Bloomington Transit’s highest commitment is public safety. Our bus operators are given extensive training on keeping passengers, pedestrians, and motorists safe.
Please help us in maintaining this high standard of safety by observing the following rules and suggestions.
- Do not chase the bus. Drivers are not permitted to stop and let riders board once the bus has left the bus stop.
- For those who need to stand when seat capacity is at maximum or due to medical conditions, please hold on tightly to the poles, rails, or straps at all times.
- Joyriding is not permitted.
Drivers are happy to give out information, however, please refrain from distracting the driver by conversing with him or her while driving. While the bus is in motion, no person is permitted (by law) to stand beyond the yellow floor line located at the front of the bus near the driver .
Passengers must board at the front doors. Please have fare, passes, and IDs ready when boarding. Stroller wheels must be locked and children in the strollers should have their stroller lap belt secured. If both wheelchair areas are occupied, then any strollers in those areas will have to be folded up and secured between seats on the bus. A maximum of two trips will be allowed to carry on bags and packages at a single bus stop. Turn your music off or down when boarding and exiting in order to hear special instructions from the driver. If possible, we ask that you exit the bus using the rear doors. This will expedite the onboarding/off-boarding process at bus stops because onboarding customers in the front will not need to wait for off-loading customers coming out the front door. If you need to cross the street after exiting, do not walk in front of the bus. Please wait until the bus drives away before crossing the street.
Passengers are allowed to board buses going in the opposite direction from their destination in order to avoid crossing a street without paying an additional fare.
Thank you for your part in maintaining a pleasant and safe environment for your fellow passengers and bus drivers.
How to Report a Lost Item:
If you’ve lost something on BT, we may be holding onto it for you. Lost items found on BT vehicles are sent to the bus garages associated with specific bus routes or stations. At no time does the BT assume responsibility for lost items. Items are kept for two weeks after being found.
Lost and Found Retrieval Tips:
Items sometimes don’t reach terminals or garages until the end of a shift. It is best to wait and call the next day to confirm if BT found your lost item. When you call, be ready with information that can help us identify your lost item, such as a detailed description or a unique characteristic of an item. Knowing the route number of the bus, the bus number, the time of day you traveled, and the direction of travel can help.
If you leave something on the bus, call 812-336-7433 or email [email protected] as soon as possible.
PUBLIC CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER, GRIMES LANE COMPLEX, AND ON BPTC VEHICLES
(adopted November 20, 2018; Amended July 19, 2022)
SECTION I: PURPOSE
Disruptive conduct or behavior that interferes with the operation of the transit system or with patrons of BPTC may result in loss of riding privileges and/or exclusion from the BPTC Downtown Transit Center and BPTC vehicles. Disruptive conduct or behaviors shall result in removal from BPTC vehicles and/or the Downtown Transit Center and possible involvement of law enforcement agencies.
SECTION II: DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to:
Intoxication or impairment, possession or consumption of open containers of alcohol on BPTC property or vehicles. Illegal possession or consumption of controlled substances on BPTC property or vehicles. Possession of a weapon on BPTC property or vehicles (except as permitted under Indiana Code 35-47-11.1).
Abusive, aggressive, threatening, violent or harassing behavior in any form.
Action or behavior that unreasonably interferes with other persons’ ability to use the transit system or interferes with the ability of BPTC employees to perform their job.
Profane or obscene language.
Damaging, defacing, or theft of BPTC property or equipment. Misuse of furniture or facilities. Any action or behavior which unreasonably causes or creates a risk of damage to property owned, managed, or operated by the BPTC.
Selling, polling, solicitation, panhandling, loitering, or providing free food, drink, or products. BPTC reserves the right to survey customers onboard vehicles, at vehicle stops, and at the Downtown Transit Center subject to the approval of the BPTC General Manager. Loitering is occupying the Downtown Transit Center for any purpose other than waiting for a vehicle or obtaining information, vehicle tickets or vehicle passes. BPTC operates each route at least once per hour. A transfer within the system should be possible within one hour and thus passengers should be not waiting for a BPTC vehicle at the Downtown Transit Center more than an hour. Passengers are allowed to wait at the Downtown Transit Center longer than one hour if they are waiting for a Miller Transportation or Flixbus intercity bus service.
Sexual behavior of any kind.
Action or behavior which constitutes a public nuisance.
Action which is so deleterious to BPTC operations or public interest, or poses grave danger to BPTC employees or BPTC customers t, will result with immediate issuance of 120 day No Trespass Order.
SECTION III: OTHER BEHAVIORAL RULES
Other behavioral rules for the comfort and safety of patrons and staff include, but are not limited to:
Smoking or use of any tobacco products or use of e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited on BPTC vehicles and anywhere inside or outside at the BPTC Downtown Transit Center. Bloomington Ordinance 6.12.030(a)(3) prohibits smoking at vehicle stops, inside public buildings, and in the waiting areas of public transit depots. All areas inside the Downtown Transit Center and outside on property owned by BPTC at the Downtown Transit Center is considered a waiting area and thus smoking is prohibited.
All passengers aboard BPTC vehicles and occupants of the Downtown Transit Center must be fully attired including wearing shirts and shoes (except for babies).
Animals are prohibited aboard vehicles and in the Downtown Transit Center with the exception of service animals or animals used by law enforcement agencies.
No roller blades, hover-boards, scooters (motorized or non-motorized), or skateboards may be used on BPTC property. Bicyclists and scooter users shall dismount from their bikes or scooters while at the BPTC Downtown Transit Center. Persons may not use the bike racks or lockers for any other purpose than to store and secure bikes for periods not to extend beyond the closing time of the terminal on that particular day. Bikes or scooters may not be brought inside the Downtown Transit Center. Scooters cannot use the bike racks on BPTC buses or be brought on board BPTC vehicles. Any bikes or personal property left in bike lockers or at bike racks beyond the closing time of the terminal for that particular day are subject to being confiscated and disposed of by BPTC.
No eating is allowed aboard vehicles. Eating is allowed at the Downtown Transit Center with the expectation that those consuming food not litter and clean up after themselves. Beverage containers aboard vehicles must have lids or covers.
Persons shall refrain from littering at all times while on BPTC vehicles or while on BPTC property. Trash and litter are to be disposed of properly in trash receptacles.
Persons shall keep their feet off of seating and walls of vehicles and the Downtown Transit Center.
As safety is of paramount importance, the public shall not enter certain areas of the Downtown Transit Center including areas designated as authorized staff only and areas where vehicles operate. This includes crossing in between, in front, and behind vehicles in the vehicle parking areas as well as the vehicle driveway areas in locations that are not a designated crosswalk.
Possessing or transporting any flammable or combustible materials such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, propane, car batteries, etc. is prohibited. Fireworks and explosives are prohibited as well.
Oversized objects that cannot be safely or properly secured cannot be brought into the Downtown Transit Center or on the vehicle.
Children must remain seated at all times when the vehicle is in motion. When on the vehicle, all persons must be seated while the vehicle is in motion assuming seats are available. Front seats of the vehicle are reserved for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Passengers shall not distract drivers by talking to them while they are driving.
Wheelchair and other mobility devices have priority over seated persons, strollers, shopping carts, and other items in the areas of the vehicle where the securement positions and devices are located.
People on BPTC property or vehicles must use earphones while listening to music or other forms of audio or video entertainment. The volume shall be such that it cannot be heard by anyone nearby.
Persons using cell or public phones while at the Downtown Transit Center or on the vehicle are expected to refrain from the use of profane or obscene language while engaged in such phone conversations and to talk in a manner that doesn’t disrupt or interfere with other members of the public or BPTC employees.
SECTION IV: REMEDIAL PROCESS
BPTC employees and law enforcement officers as defined by Indiana Code have the authority to enforce this Code of Conduct. When a person has exhibited disruptive behavior at the Downtown Transit Center and/or on BPTC vehicles and/or is observed to have violated any of the behavioral rules contained in this ordinance, he or she will be warned to cease and desist the offending conduct immediately. If the person refuses to cease and desist the offending conduct immediately, he/she will be asked to leave the BPTC vehicle or property. If the person refuses to leave, and if the enforcing authority is not a law enforcement officer, the enforcing authority will contact the Bloomington Police and request that the person be removed from the vehicle or BPTC property and informed that he/she may not return for the remainder of the day. If the enforcing authority is a law enforcement officer, he or she may take appropriate action as authorized by law and this code. If the person returns later that day, he/she is subject to arrest for trespassing.
Persons who are repeat offenders of these behavioral rules are subject to longer suspensions and to being prohibited from using the BPTC Downtown Transit Center and using BPTC service for defined periods of time as follows:
- 2nd offense in a two year rolling period – 7 calendar day suspension
- 3rd offense in a two year rolling period – 30 calendar day suspension
- 4th offense in a two year rolling period – 60 calendar day suspension
- 5th offense in a two year rolling period – 120 calendar day suspension
- 6 or more offenses in a two year rolling period – subject to arrest and prosecution for trespassing
In the event a person returns to BPTC property or a BPTC vehicle before such a suspension ends, he/she shall be subject to arrest and prosecution for trespassing.
The person may appeal such suspension to the BPTC Chief Safety Officer within 7 days of notice of the suspension. Such appeals shall be in writing and addressed to the BPTC Chief Safety Officer and include the name, mailing address, date/time of the incident, and reasons why a suspension should not be imposed. The BPTC Chief Safety Officer or his/her designee will meet with the person within 15 days of receipt of an appeal to hear their appeal and provide a written response to the person within 7 days of the appeal hearing. The person may appeal the BPTC Chief Safety Officer’s decision within 7 days of receipt of the BPTC Chief Safety Officer’s decision by filing a similar written appeal to the BPTC General Manager. A committee consisting of the BPTC General Manager and two (2) members of the BPTC Board of Directors as appointed by the BPTC Board Chair, and one (1) fixed route customer as appointed by the BPTC General Manager will schedule a hearing date within 30 days of receipt of the appeal and will meet with the person to hear their appeal. The committee will issue a written decision on the appeal within 15 days of the appeal hearing. The committee’s decision shall be final.
DATE OF INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE: October 16, 2018.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation of the City of Bloomington, Indiana, this 20th day of November, 2018.
Amended by the Board of Directors of the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation this 19th day of July, 2022.
Can faculty and students who don’t own a smartphone use the bus, or are we not eligible for the benefit?
Thank you!
Hello Giovanni,
IU students, faculty and staff who do not own a smartphone may use their valid, physical Crimson Card issued by the university. That card will be accepted on Bloomington Transit bus validators.
The umo app is not letting me make an account
Hello Stephany,
Can you please be more specific in which way the Umo app is not letting you make an account?
Me neither tried my email and phone number
How may I continue to use Bloomington Transit as an IU student if I do not use a smartphone daily and do not have the ability to download an app?
Hello Michaela,
IU students, faculty and staff who do not own a smartphone may use their valid, physical Crimson Card issued by the university. That card will be accepted on Bloomington Transit bus validators.
I have downloaded the Umo Mobility but the app is not allowing me to create an account. Can I still use my IU ID or am I roundly screwed.
Note: the app has numerous poor reviews for those lucky enough to have been able to create an account.
Hello Nick,
Can you please be more specific in which way the Umo app is not letting you make an account?
I am also not able to make an account!
Hello Ram,
Can you please be more specific in which way the Umo app is not letting you make an account?
Hi, I’m a grad student and received the email from IU Bloomington Campus Auxiliaries regarding the new Umo app. My peer and I tried well over 10 times to try and make an account according to the instructions listed in the email. We tried using both our phone numbers and IU emails. Each time, it states “unable to create account.” Our classes began this week (today), and a considerable number of us use the bus sytem to get to and from class. Last Fall, showing our IDs was sufficient. In the Spring, some buses continued accepting physical IDs while others had riders scan their IDs. Now, on the first day of class, we are switching to an entirely new system. You didn’t give us adequate notice to switch to the app before the first day of class. The app and the instructions provided do not work, and we are unsure of what to expect when we try to take the buses home this afternoon. I’m sure nothing says “welcome back to campus” like being stranded because the new bus app can’t make an account. Hopefully it’s figured out in time for the precious undergrads.
“In the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, Indiana University students, faculty, and staff who ride Bloomington Transit buses need to download the new Umo Mobility app to continue riding fare-free.” This poses a significant and misguided barrier to accessibility. Please include in your website copy that physical Crimson Cards are still valid for IU affiliates, if that is the case. Thank you.
Hello LF, thank you for bringing this to our attention.
We have added a note at the bottom of the web page that states: “IU students, faculty and staff who do not own a smartphone may use their valid, physical Crimson Card issued by the university. That card will be accepted on Bloomington Transit bus validators.”
I’ve tried both my cellphone number and IU email address but when I type in the code from my texts or set a password for my account with email an error message pops up that reads “Unable to create an account.”
I also tried both my cellphone and IU email but it didn’t work. It only pop up “unable to create an account”. Can we use IU digital crimson card when we take the bus?
For international students who are on a different system and therefore cannot download to UMO app, is there a way that we can use our ONLINE crimson card to scan on buses? We were not issued physical crimson cards and therefore don’t have access to them.