Rider’s Guide

Using the Schedules

Here are some handy tips on reading our bus schedules.

Don’t hesitate to ask a driver for additional assistance. They are there to help!

Fares and Passes

General Fare Info

Fares are collected on all ACTR bus routes except the Middlebury Shuttle Bus. For exceptions see “fare exceptions” under each route.

• Passengers under age 6 ride free with a fare-paying passenger.
• Passengers ages 6 to 17, age 60+ or with an ADA disability ride for ½ price – one-way and passes.
• Passengers can self-certify their age or disability.
• ACTR only offers transfer passes from the 116 Commuter and the Saturday LINK; fare is paid for each ride on an individual ACTR route.
• Only exact change or passes accepted.
• Passengers are required to pay the proper fare for all ACTR transportation.

ACTR FARE-FREE ZONE

All ACTR bus routes allow for fare-free rides within the defined Fare-Free Zone (FFZ). The FFZ is generally defined by the Middlebury Shuttle Bus route, with a few exceptions as noted under “fare exceptions.” Riders getting on and off within the FFZ do not have to pay a fare. This applies to short portions of the Tri-Town Bristol/Vergennes, the Snow Bowl Shuttle, 116 Commuter, the Rutland Connector and the Saturday LINK.

Fares: In-County Routes

The Middlebury Shuttle Bus (MSB) is always FARE-FREE.

Fares are collected on the Tri-Town Shuttle Bus (TTSB) Bristol and Vergennes routes and the Snow Bowl Shuttle (SBSB) route. The fare structure for these routes is:

• $1 per one-way trip
• $9 for 10-ride pass
• $30 monthly passes (SBSB monthly pass available for January and February)

Fare Exceptions: Tri-Town Shuttle Bus (TTSB)

• No fare is required to transfer between Tri-Town Bristol and Tri-Town Vergennes routes at New Haven Center.
• No fare is required when traveling to/from locations on Exchange Street in Middlebury (this is considered part of the Middlebury “Fare-Free Zone”). Please inform your driver of your destination when traveling to Exchange Street.

Fare Exceptions: Snow Bowl Shuttle Bus (SBSB)

• No fare is required when traveling to/from locations along Route 7 South in Middlebury (this is considered part of the Middlebury “Fare-Free Zone”). Please inform your driver of your destination when traveling to Route 7 South.

Fares: Out-of-County Routes

Rutland Connector (in partnership with MVRTD)

• $2 per one-way trip
• $18 for 10-ride pass
• $60 for monthly pass

Fare Exceptions: Rutland Connector (RC)

• No fare is required from riders to transfer buses in Brandon Tuesdays and Fridays on mid-day connector routes.
• No fare is required when traveling to/from locations along Route 7 South in Middlebury (this is considered part of the Middlebury “Fare-Free Zone”).

116 Commuter (in partnership with CCTA)

• $2 per one-way trip
• $20 for 10-ride pass
• $75 for monthly pass* (includes access to all CCTA and GMTA routes with pass)
• *Swipe passes are being used on this route and are good for 31 days from the day of first swipe.

Fare Exceptions: 116 Commuter (116)

• No fare is required to transfer to a local CCTA bus.
• 116 Commuter fares for travel within Addison County (for example, Starksboro to Bristol or Middlebury to Starksboro) are the same as ACTR’s in-county routes (Snow Bowl or Tri-Town busees).
• No fare is required when traveling to/from locations from Lindale Mobile Home Park on Case Street to downtown Middlebury (this is considered part of the Middlebury “Fare-Free Zone”).

Burlington LINK Monday – Friday (operated by CCTA)

• $4 per one-way trip
• $40 for a 10-ride pass
• $150 for a 31-day pass pass full access to CCTA and GMTA
• Ten-ride and monthly passes are available through CCTA for use on the Monday through Friday Burlington LINK.

Burlington LINK Saturday (operated by ACTR)

• $4 per one-way trip
• ACTR operates the Saturday service. A 10-ride pass is available from ACTR for $36. No monthly passes are available for this Saturday service.
• No fare is required when traveling to/from locations between Adirondack Circle and Exchange Street (this is considered part of the Middlebury “Fare-Free Zone”).

Purchase Bus Passes

• ACTR Bus drivers: exact change or check required
• ACTR: 282 Boardman Street, Middlebury, 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday
• Online: cctaride.org (116 and M-F LINK only)
• CCTA: Burlington, Cherry Street Kiosk (116 and M-F LINK only)
• MVRTD: 158 Spruce St, Rutland, 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday (Connector only)

Stops

Be VISIBLE at stops so the bus driver can see you waiting. Wave at the driver to ensure being noticed and keep yourself safe. Buses will pick-up or drop-off passengers at all locations with ACTR bus stop signs. All signs are numbered to match up with the map and schedule. Passengers may also request other pick-ups or drop-offs, or may wave the bus down at any safe location along the route. Drivers will not stop if unsafe.

Request Only Stops

Some ACTR stops are listed as “R” or Request Only – either all the time or during some parts of the day. The “R” stops are served only when on-board riders request the bus driver for a drop off or riders call in ahead to request a pick up. With less than 24 hours notice, ACTR may not be able to immediately accommodate the request.

Deviations

ACTR buses will deviate up to a ½ mile (¼ mile for Rutland Connector and Saturday LINK) from the published routes to pick-up or drop-off passengers. To request a deviation, call ACTR a day in advance at 388-1946 or ask a bus driver to assist you. If your deviation request cannot be accommodated at the desired schedule time, per federal law, ACTR will provide the service up to 1 hour before or after the requested time. There are no deviations on the 116 Commuter.

Transfers

Please confirm with the driver as you are boarding if you will need to transfer to another bus or bus route. There are no transfer passes between routes on ACTR buses; fare is collected for each route regardless of distance traveled. There are two exceptions:

• Riders traveling between Bristol and Vergennes on the Tri-Town Shuttle; no fare is collected to switch buses in New Haven.
• Riders traveling between Middlebury and Rutland Tuesday and Friday on mid-day Connector; no fare is collected in Brandon to switch buses.