Rules
Exact Fare Required and Have Your Fare Ready -
StarMetro is an "exact fare" system, which means that passengers must have exact change or fare cards. Bus drivers cannot make change. You can purchase a Same Day Unlimited pass for $3.00 from the driver, but the driver cannot make change. Passengers must deposit their own fares. To keep the bus running on time, have your fare card, cash, ID, etc. ready in your hand when the bus arrives.
ID Required - Discount fares require identification for disabled, seniors and students. Identification cards for senior citizens and disabled persons may be obtained at StarMetro administrative offices or at selected social service agencies. Medicare cards are accepted as ID.
Check the Destination Sign - The buses have lighted destination signs on the front and beside the front door. Read the sign as the bus approaches and be sure this is the bus you want. If you cannot read the signs, ask the driver what the route number is when the bus stops to pick you up. This is especially important at the Plaza, because multiple routes may be using the same gate. So check the destination before you board your bus! NO eating, drinking, or smoking on the bus!
Personal radios, cd, and tape players are allowed if you use headphones
Children under six must be accompanied by an older passenger or an adult.
No pets allowed - Service animals are not pets when they are working, so they are welcome on StarMetro buses
Shirt and Shoes required - Please be properly attired with shirt, shoes, etc. when you the bus.
Remain Seated, or Hold Onto a Support - Remain seated while the bus is in motion, but if you must stand, hold onto a support, such as rail or a seat back. When standing, do not stand forward of the white line behind the bus driver.
Signal Your Stop - Press the signal tape beside the window or pull the signal cord (depending on what type of bus you're on) when you see your bus stop approaching. This will let the driver know you want to stop. Try to signal about a block before your stop so the driver has time to slow down! There is no need to signal if someone else has already done so.
Don't Cross in Front of the Bus - When you exit the bus, wait for the bus to drive on before crossing the street. Do not attempt to cross the street in front of the bus, unless you are at a crosswalk and have the "Walk" signal. When you cross in front of the us at any other time, you cannot see if traffic is coming around the bus, and you could be hit by a car and seriously injured or even killed.
Satellite Transfers/More info on transfers - A passenger may wish to transfer to another route where two or more routes intersect, without having to return to the C.K. Steele Plaza. This is called a "Satellite Transfer" and can only be done at certain locations, indicated on the system map. Although this can be done, transfer at these locations may not be as convenient as continuing on to the plaza. Please verify with the driver before requesting a satellite transfer, as the driver can provide knowledgeable advice on whether a Satellite Transfer is a good idea or not.
Also, StarMetro riders from other cities may be used to different transfer systems. Some cities, for instance, allow a transfer to be used once on any other bus. Quite often, these cities also charge for transfers, whereas StarMetro transfers are free. StarMetro does not offer transfers between routes at any location other than the C.K. Steele Plaza and the Satellite Transfer sites, per the note above, but our transfers are free! If you have questions about the transfer, please ask your driver or the Information Booth attendant at C.K. Steele Plaza, or call StarMetro at (850) 891-5200.