System Design

Metro Ride operates a “hub and spoke” route structure. The route design resembles a wagon wheel or bicycle tire. Routes originate from a central location (hub) and travel on designated routes (spokes). This route design is very common in the airline industry. Routes are “fixed”, meaning that buses do not stray from the published route.

The central hub in our transit system is called the Transit Center. It is located at 555 Jefferson Street in downtown Wausau. Passengers can transfer (free of charge), from one route to another, at the Transit Center.

All Metro Ride bus routes operate at consistent frequencies throughout our service day. Regular routes operate at 30 minute intervals, meaning that you can catch the bus at any point along the route every 30 minutes.

Planning Your Trip

All Metro Ride bus routes have a name, a letter designation, and a color to help you match the system map with the timetables. The route letter and route name are also displayed on the bus destination signs. If you need assistance planning your trip, call Metro Ride at 715-842-9287.

Catching the Bus

Go to the street on which your route operates and locate a bus stop sign, usually on every other block. Stand at the bus stop and wait for the bus to arrive. When the bus stop is obstructed by snow, wait at the nearest opening in the snowbank, such as a driveway or crosswalk. Be at the bus stop a couple minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive so that you don’t miss it. When you see the bus coming, step up to the curb and hail it by waving.

Paying Your Fare

Pay your fare as you board the bus. Cash and tokens should be inserted into the slot in the top of the farebox (note that drivers do not make change). Tickets and transfers should be given to the driver. If you use a bus pass, you must show it to the driver each time you ride.

If you plan to transfer to another bus, ask the driver for a free transfer when you pay your fare, and tell them what route you will be transferring to. Transfers are valid only at the downtown Transit Center, and are valid for one trip on a different route. A transfer cannot be used for a return trip.

On-Board the Bus

Take your seat quickly. The bus may begin moving unless you ask the driver to wait until you are seated. If the bus is crowded and there is no seat available, move toward the rear and stand where you can hold on to a handrail or grab strap. To ensure a safe, clean, comfortable ride, be considerate and follow these simple, common sense rules.

Do

• Take a seat if one is available and remain seated while the bus is moving.
• Listen to and obey instructions given by the driver.
• Read informational handouts and notices posted in the bus.
• Wear proper clothing. (Shirts and shoes are required. Ice-skates and roller blades should not be worn on the bus.)
• Fold up child strollers so the aisle remains clear for other riders.
• Give your seat to any person who, because of age or physical condition, is less able to stand than you are.

Don't

• Smoke, chew tobacco or use e-cigarettes.
• Eat or drink.
• Play a radio or other audio player unless you use headphones.
• Use loud or offensive language.
• Be rowdy or push or scuffle.
• Put your feet on the seats, seat backs or walls.
• Leave trash on the bus.
• Hang out the windows.
• Throw or spit anything out the window.
• Bring bulky items on the bus especially at busy times unless they can be held on your lap.
• Bring animals, except service animals, onto the bus or transit system property unless enclosed in a container that can be held on your lap.
• Bring weapons or hazardous materials aboard the bus.

* Drivers may ask riders who do not observe these rules to leave the bus.

Getting Off the Bus

About one block before you get to your bus stop, let the driver know that you want to get off the bus by pulling the cord located above or alongside the windows. As much as possible, you should avoid moving about while the bus is in motion, particularly in wet or snowy weather when the bus floor is likely to be slippery. Please remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop. When the bus has stopped moving, exit and wait until the bus has pulled away before starting to cross the street. Because the bus is so large, drivers cannot see you stepping out in front of or behind it.

Transfers

When your one-way trip requires the use of more than one bus, you will need to ask the driver for a transfer. Free transfers are available on all routes. Just ask the driver for a transfer when you pay your fare. A transfer entitles a passenger to transfer to any other route in order to get to a destination. Transfers are valid only when used at the downtown Transit Center. A transfer must be used no later than one trip after it is issued and it can only be used to continue your trip on a different route. Transfers cannot be used for a return trip. A transfer is not a round-trip ticket. If you are transferring, be sure to notify your driver so he/she can notify the driver of the other route. Step along quickly! If your first bus is late pulling in, the driver of your connecting bus can only wait three minutes past his scheduled departure time. To wait longer would throw that bus “out of sync” with the other routes.

Detours and Delays

From time to time we run behind schedule – generally as a result of traffic or weather conditions. At times we have to detour a route because we cannot use a street or streets on which we usually operate. When there are significant delays or when a route has to be detoured, Metro Ride will make every effort to ensure that the public is informed via radio, newspaper, etc. For current detours see our Rider Alerts section.