Using Bloomington Transit Buses
IU Students with a valid Student ID are able to ride any of Bloomington Transit buses by showing the ID when boarding. Current faculty and staff are able to ride as well with an active ID.
Questions? Call 812-336-7433 or email customer@bloomingtontransit.com
Quick Links
Bus Schedules
Track My Bus
Biking and Buses
Tips for Riding Bloomington Transit:
- Use the ETA Spot app or visit https://bloomingtontransit.etaspot.net/ to see where your bus is located.
- Find your closest bus stop by using the Spot app or Google or Apple Maps. This is helpful when using multiple buses or having to walk to a bus stop.
- Arrive to your stop ahead of scheduled time.
- Be prepared for full buses. We work hard to get you to your destination as fast as we can and during some times of the day, we carry a lot of students. If possible, ride at a different time.
- At certain stops, our drivers will exit the bus for a break. We know this can seem inconvenient but please be patient with them during this time.
- If you lose an item, please contact us at 812-336-7433.
- Other forms of transportation are available such as bikes and scooters. Get more information about green ways to travel at Go Bloomington or IU Campus Transportation Demand Management.
IU Campus Bus Service
IU Campus Buses are operated by Indiana University. Please see the IU Campus Bus Service Information website for details on routes and hours of operation.
IU Break Bus Service
NOTE: Some Bloomington Transit bus routes operate on a reduced break schedule when classes are not in session. Those routes include Routes 6, 6 Limited, 9, 9 Limited, 12, and 14. Please see Routes and Schedules for details on the reduction in service.
Reduced Buses Are In Effect on the Following Breaks (check schedules for specific dates):
Fall Break – October
Thanksgiving Break – November
Winter Break – December/January
MLK Day – January
Spring Break – March
Summer Term – May/June/July/August
Summary of Fares, Passes and Tickets – January 2025
Resumen de Tarifas, Pases y Billetes – Enero 2025
$1.00 – Regular Fare
Exact coins or cash required, drivers do not issue change.
$0.50 – Reduced Fare
Reduced Fares are offered to senior citizens 60 and older, students enrolled in grades K-12, and persons with disabilities receiving assistance from the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or who submit a completed BT Reduced Fare application verified by a doctor or approved agency. Payment by reduced fare requires presentation of a valid Reduced Fare ID, BT-issued student ID card, or Medicare card to the bus driver. Any patron not presenting one of these ID cards will be required to pay the regular fare. No refunds will be given.
Disability verification forms and Reduced Fare ID cards are available at the Bloomington Transit offices at 130 West Grimes Lane and the Downtown Transit Center at 301 South Walnut St, Monday-Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm.
FREE – The following passengers ride free upon presentation of valid identification cards that have not expired.
- Children 4 years old and younger (with supervision, no ID required)
- IU Bloomington Students/Faculty/Staff (must present Crimson Card)
- IU Health Employees (must present employee badge)
- City of Bloomington Employees (must present employee badge)
- BTaccess Certified Persons (must present BTaccess ID)
10-Pack of One-Way Tickets
(Purchase at BT Offices or Downtown transit Center)
$10.00 – Regular Fare
$5.00 – Reduced Fare
Semi-Annual Passes
(Unlimited Rides for a Six-Month Period)
$150.00 – Regular Fare
$75.00 – Reduced Fare (Must show driver Reduced Fare ID, BT-issued Student ID or Medicare card upon boarding)
Students K-12 who wish to pay reduced fare, use reduced fare passes and tickets or the Summer Fun Pass, must present the bus driver a BT-issued student ID card. These IDs can be obtained at the main office and Transit Center with proof of age and enrollment in K-12 a school (examples: school IDs, report cards, school planner, or class itinerary).
$12.00 – Summer Fun Pass
Kids K-12 can purchase a Summer Fun Pass and ride most of the summer for only $12. Passes are available for purchase starting one week before MCCSC summer break. They are valid starting the first day of MCCSC summer break until the start of the MCCSC fall school year. Pass carriers must carry their BT-issued student ID card to use the Summer Fun Pass. Free Student ID cards are available at the main office at 130 West Grimes Lane and The Transit Center at 301 South Walnut Street. To obtain a student ID card, you must bring your child’s school picture ID, report card, or letter from the school verifying age and enrollment.
Umo cards and 10-packs of one-way tickets are for sale at two locations:
- Downtown Transit Center at 3rd & Walnut
Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm - Administration Office at 130 West Grimes Lane
Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover). Bank cards are acceptable as credit only, not debit.
For more information call (812) 336-7433, (812) 330-7853 (TDD).
The Transit Center and the offices on Grimes Lane are closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day (Grimes Lane office closed the day after Thanksgiving also), and Christmas Day.
Any such holidays that fall on a Sunday, will be observed on the following Monday. The Grimes Lane office is additionally closed on MLK Day and Labor Day.
Other Area Transportation Options
Tickets for Greyhound, Flixbus and Miller are not available at the Customer Service counters. Purchasing from these companies can be on websites:
Bloomington Transit has implemented a new fare collection system called Umo (pronounced “YOU-mo”) starting Monday, November 18, 2024. Riders can pay their fare on fixed route buses and BLink service vehicles with the Umo mobile app, a reloadable fare card or one-way tickets.
Fare amounts have not changed: $1 for regular fare, 50¢ for reduced fare, $2 for BLink (BTaccess and microtransit) services. If the Umo mobile app or card is not your preferred way to pay fares, riders will still have the option to pay cash (in the exact amount).
Q: If I use the Token Transit mobile app, do I still need that?
A: No. The Umo mobile app will effectively replace Token Transit going forward. If you still have funds or tickets on Token Transit, those will not disappear and you can use them as long as they are valid. However, you will not be able to add new funds or buy new tickets on Token Transit starting in December 2024.
Getting the umo app:
- Download the “Umo Mobility” app on the App Store or Google Play.
- Sign up for an account using your email address or mobile phone number.
- Select “Bloomington Transit”/“Monroe County, Indiana” as your preferred agency/location.
- Add funds to your Umo Wallet by clicking “Buy” and then “Add Money.”
- Select an amount and add a payment method. Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards are accepted in the mobile app.
- You can also add money to your wallet by going to the Bloomington Transit offices, the Downtown Transit Center or select local retailers and having them scan the “Account Code” before providing payment. Cash may also be accepted at these locations.
- In order to make your mobile app account eligible for Reduced Fare, you must call the Bloomington Transit customer service line (812-336-7433) and provide your name and phone number/email. If you are eligible, our team will manually make that change on our end.
What happens when I scan?
- If the screen turns Green, your fare has been accepted.
- If the screen turns Yellow, you may need to present a supplemental identification for reduced fare. A yellow screen may also serve as a warning for low funds in your Umo Wallet or account.
- If the screen turns Red, your fare was not accepted. This may be due to no funds in your Umo Wallet or account or an expired ticket.
Fare capping:
- As long as regular fare riders scan Umo to pay for their trips, they will never pay more than $30 per month (31-day period) or $3 per day. For reduced fare riders, Fare Capping is $15 per month or $1.50 per day for reduced fare riders.
- Advantages of “Fare Capping” include not having to pay a large sum up front for a bus pass each month and allowing riders to potentially save money by only paying for what they use in a month.
Transfers:
- One transfer is included in your trip every time you scan Umo (Card, App or One-Way Ticket) to pay.
- The transfer window is 60 minutes. The “clock” begins at the time you board your first bus. From that point, you will have 60 minutes to scan Umo to board the bus that you choose for your transfer.
- For example, let’s say you wish to travel from College Mall to Walmart. If you board the 3E bus at 7:30 a.m., you will have until 8:30 a.m. to board the 4W bus at the Downtown Transit Center. You do not have to complete your entire trip in 60 minutes.
Remember: Mobile passes are your ticket. Riders are responsible for keeping their mobile devices charged and ready to present their valid ticket.
How to Ride
Using Fare, Passes, and Tickets
- Prepare to board at a designated bus stop or shelter and have your Umo payment method (Card, App or One-Way Ticket) in hand, ready to scan.
- Enter at the front of the bus and place your Umo QR code face down on the Umo fare validator machine. Card users need only to tap the validator machine, face up or face down.
- If Umo is not your preferred way to pay fares, riders will still have the option to pay cash (in the exact amount).
- Fare tanks, located next to the driver, accept bills and coins. Fare tanks and drivers do not issue change. There is an ATM and change machine in the Transit Center.
Paying reduced fare or using reduced fare passes or tickets, including the mobile version, requires presentation of a valid BT Reduced Fare ID, BT-issued student ID card, or Medicare card to the bus driver.
Drivers may need to closely examine IDs for validation. Any patron not presenting one of these ID cards will be required to pay the regular fare.
No refunds will be given.
Transfers
- As of December 1, 2024, Bloomington Transit will no longer issue paper transfers on buses.
- One transfer is included in your trip every time you scan Umo (Card, App or One-Way Ticket) to pay.
- Transfers are valid for 60 minutes (additional info and example below) and may not be used for a return trip.
- Transfers are issued to provide service between two points not served by a single route.
- Transfers are valid for the next bus to your destination at locations where routes intersect.
- Passengers using semi-annual passes, Summer Fun Passes and IU Crimson Cards do not need transfers.
- Transfers can be made between Bloomington Transit and Rural Transit routes, only at Whitehall Plaza in front of Planet Fitness and at the Kroger north shelter on Kinser Pike.
- Rural Transit accepts BT transfers and BT accepts Rural Transit transfers within an hour of issuance.
The transfer window is 60 minutes. The “clock” begins at the time you board your first bus. From that point, you will have 60 minutes to scan Umo to board the bus that you choose for your transfer.
For example, let’s say you wish to travel from College Mall to Walmart. If you board the 3E bus at 7:30 a.m., you will have until 8:30 a.m. to board the 4W bus at the Downtown Transit Center. You do not have to complete your entire trip in 60 minutes.
Use your bike to connect to the community!
Check out our bike rack information here!
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 336-RIDE as soon as possible between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Want to use the transit system but unsure where to start?
We offer free Travel Training for persons of all ages and abilities. Whether you are a IU student new to the community, an agency who works with people using the bus, or an individual who needs assistance learning bus routes, we can help.
Sign up for one of our Travel Training sessions and learn how to ride the bus, read BT bus maps and schedules, transfer between buses, plan trips, and more.
Travel Training sessions are available for everyone, including students and parents, seniors, persons with disabilities, and service providers. The upcoming session will be held in the conference room of the Downtown Transit Center, located at 301 S Walnut St.
The next Travel Training session will take place on Monday, March 24 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (it is only necessary to attend one session). To RSVP for a session, please email shelley.strimaitis@bloomingtontransit.com.
Connections to Bloomington to cities outside the City of Bloomington and Monroe County are available.
Rural Transit provides demand-response (door-to-door) transportation to the general public in a four county area: Monroe, Owen, Lawrence and Putnam counties, as well as one deviated fixed-route in Greencastle. Vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
Tickets for Greyhound, Flixbus and Miller are not available at the Customer Service counters. Purchasing from these companies can be on websites:
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.