How to Ride

Three Easy Steps to Ride HIRTA

1. Schedule a ride.

Get started by calling 1-877-686-0029 and let us know the date, time and destination. To ensure a ride, a 24-hour advanced reservation is recommended. To change or cancel your ride, please call us as soon in advance as you can. If you don't cancel and the bus arrives to pick you up, you will be considered a no-show and may be charged a fee. Learn more about HIRTA Service Policies.

2. Get on the Bus

Customers need to be ready for pick-up at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. It is considered on time if the HIRTA vehicle arrives between 10 minutes before or 10 minutes after the requested pick-up time. If needed, a driver will assist you to and from your door to the bus, and from the bus to your door.

3. Ride safely

All passengers must be seated and with their seatbelt secured. If you use a wheelchair or scooter, or need additional assistance, our drivers will make sure you are secure.

More Details About How to Ride HIRTA

Scheduling a ride

Contact our Central Office at 1-877-686-0029 or email erides@ridehirta.com to make your trip reservation.
For the fastest service when scheduling your trip, call between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Before ending the call, listen carefully to all dates, times and addresses as they are read back to you. Make sure the information is correct, and please ask if you're not sure about something.
By reserving trips two or more days in advance, you will have the best chance of scheduling a ride at your preferred time.
The demand for weekday HIRTA service peaks from 7 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m. You will generally have the best selection of pick-up times if you request a trip outside these "peak" hours.
You may reserve a ride up to 14 days in advance of your trip.

Have the following information ready before you call (in this order)

Your last name, then first name
Day and date of the ride
Pick-up address and phone number
Destination address and phone number, including building name and any specific drop-off and pick-up information (for medical appointments, include the name of the doctor and suite number)
Your preferred pick-up time
Your appointment time, if needed
Any additional information about your trip such as: if you will use a wheelchair, scooter, other mobility aid, or need to board the bus using the lift, if a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) or other companion(s) will travel with you

Setting your trip times

HIRTA can plan your trip around either a pick-up time or an appointment time, but not both.

Always use a pick-up time to schedule your ride unless you must arrive at the destination not later than a certain time, such as for work or a doctor's appointment.
Let our customer service rep know how much flexibility you have regarding your times.

When reserving rides to/from a specific appointment, be sure to:

Allow for time you may need to get from the HIRTA vehicle to your destination inside the building.
Set your return trip time so that you have sufficient time to finish your appointment and be ready to depart.
Find out about building opening and closing times at your destination and plan your trip so you won't have to wait outside.

Changing or canceling your reservation

HIRTA can plan your trip around either a pick-up time or an appointment time, but not both.

If you need to change your reservation, please call HIRTA as soon as possible. Changes to a reservation should be made before 3 p.m. the day before your scheduled trip.

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call HIRTA as soon as possible. By canceling well in advance, you help HIRTA provide quality service to other customers.

Subscription reservations

"Subscription" reservations may be scheduled for recurring trips that meet the following criteria (based on availability):

Trip is taken at least once each week on the same day
Trip is between the same locations, and at the same time
Trip has been taken consistently over the previous 30-day period
Trip is expected to continue for at least six months

Many subscription trips are provided to sites that close on holidays and trips will be canceled automatically on the following: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. If your ride is needed on one of these holidays, please call HIRTA to reschedule.

Subscription reservations must be taken at least 90 percent of the time (cancellations and/or no-shows may not exceed 10 percent). Subscription reservations with excessive cancellations and/or no-shows will not be continued.

How HIRTA bus drivers may assist customers

HIRTA drivers may help you with:

Getting from your door or designated stop location to the HIRTA vehicle
Getting in and out of the vehicle (if you are unable to use the bus steps, you may use the bus lift to get on and off)
Fastening seat belts and securing mobility devices
Getting from the HIRTA vehicle to the entry door or the designated stop location at your destination

If requested, HIRTA drivers will assist you with manual mobility devices by:

Pushing and guiding you to/from the vehicle, on/off the lift platform of the vehicle, and inside the vehicle
Moving you and your device up or down a single step or a curb when it is possible to do so safely

For safety reasons, HIRTA drivers are not permitted to operate the controls of any powered mobility device, handle a service animal or enter a private residence.