Transport collectif 13 September 2022

Tips and tricks for taking the bus on $1 Ride Day

September 23 is $1 Ride Day for STL buses on the regular network. It costs very little to try out a sustainable mode of transportation where you’re free to listen to a podcast or read a book during your commute.

Already have a monthly pass? Even if you’re not taking advantage of this special fare, you’re making the right choice by taking public transit!

But how do you take the bus?

If you’re not used to taking the bus, here are a few tips and tricks to get you ready. 

Plan your trip

Just enter your departure and destination address in the trip planner. You have the option to plan your trip based on the date and time of departure or the intended arrival time. You can also set preferences for an accessible route or to avoid transfers.

Refer to your bus schedule

You can go online to see bus arrival times for your stop. You can also print or email the information. Once you’re at the stop, it might be handy to check when the next bus is arriving by texting your stop number (5 digits indicated at the bottom right of the bus stop sign) to 511785. You will get the next bus arrival times in just a few seconds. That’s what we call real-time information.

Paying on board

We accept payment by cash (exact amount) or by credit card on all our buses. The special $1 Ride Day fare is valid on STL buses only. If you need to take the metro or go to Montréal or the North Shore, you need to purchase an All Modes AB fare in advance. More details here.

Technology advances, but not all technology advances at the same pace. You will find three machines near the bus driver. If you want to know where to insert your cash or tap your credit card, be sure to read our section on accepted payment methods.

Transferring buses

Some trips require more than one bus to get to your destination. In such case, you need to ask the driver of the first bus for a transfer ticket to continue your trip on the second bus at no extra cost.

When paying by cash, it’s important to ask for a transfer ticket.

When paying by credit card, the card reader recognizes that the card has already been charged a fare when you tap your card on the second bus. A transfer ticket is therefore not required when paying by credit card. A transfer is valid for 120 minutes and cannot be used on the same bus route, nor for a round trip. Learn more on our fare zones page.

Quick tips

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early, it’s always better than missing the bus. As the bus approaches, wave to the driver to signal that you are boarding the bus.
• There are no assigned seats on the bus except for wheelchairs, but mobility-impaired persons should have priority seating. We should always be courteous. Also be mindful of backpacks, it’s best to place them on the ground, between your legs, to make more room.
• Keep an eye out for stops on the overhead digital sign, in the front and middle of the bus. You will then know when to press the red stop button on the pole to ring the bell and tell the driver that you want to get off at the next stop. Ideally, you should get off the bus by the rear door to ensure a smooth flow of passengers getting on and off the bus.
• Be sure to walk safely near a bus and never run after a bus. Once you step off the bus, let the bus leave first so you have a good view of your surroundings before crossing the street.