FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have questions that you think others have, email them to Susan Miller.
Who?
Who would can ride Benzie Bus?
Anyone can ride the Benzie Bus. We do request that children 5 and under be accompanied by an adult. Only service animals are permitted to ride the bus.
Who is Benzie Bus and how did it get started?
The Benzie Transportation Authority, a new public body, and its Board of Directors run the Benzie Bus System. A total of 10 local residents sit on the county-appointed Board of Directors and represent businesses, schools, government, social services, and the general public of Benzie County. The transportation authority and its Board are independent of the county and are insured to bear sole legal and financial liability for the bus system. Read about the history of Benzie Bus here.
When?
When can I ride?
We are open Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
We do not operate on the following holidays.
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Please check our holiday schedule.
Where?
Where can I ride?
The Benzie Bus offers service within the county of Benzie. We also offer service to the BATA Transfer Station in downtown Traverse City, which offers you the service of the BATA system. We also can make connections with the Manistee Transit System to meet you at the county line if you wish to go into Manistee County.
How?
How accessible are they for those people physically challenged?
All Benzie busses are wheelchair accessible.
How do I ride?
First of all you must make a reservation. To assist you in making your reservations please follow the process below.
To schedule your ride, you will need to tell the Dispatcher:
- The date you want to use the bus.
- Your pick-up address.
- Your final destination address.
- The time you need to arrive at your destination.
- If you require a vehicle with either a lift or bike rack.
To use the Benzie Bus Zone/Express Service:
1.
Locate your pick-up location on the map and determine Zone location and determine your zone color.
2.
Locate your final destination location on the map and Determine the zone location and color.
3. Call Dispatch @ 231-325-3000 ext. #1, at least 24 hours in Advance to schedule your ride.
4. The Dispatcher will assist you to determine the time that you should be at your zone stops and whether or not you will need to transfer to another bus to get to your final destination. Please refer to our express schedule for departure times from your zones.
If you require special transportation ( wheelchair, etc.):
- When you call Dispatch to make your reservations it is very Important that you advise them that you will need a vehicle with lift capability.
Why?
Why take the bus?
- It’s cost effective
- Reduces traffic congestion
- Consistent and dependable
- Less vehicles on the road reduce emissions.
- The staff is friendly and helpful
Why does Benzie County need two bus systems?
The Council on Aging no longer operates its fleet of blue buses most people in the county are familiar seeing. Until recently, Benzie County had the Regional Ride (Northern Michigan's most popular multi-county route). It carried 6,000 more people per year and reached Traverse City and had a state bus grant, which ran out after 3 years. Now Benzie has joined Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties with having a countywide public bus service.
What?
What are your drivers qualifications?
The Benzie Bus takes great pride in our staff and have carefully selected them from numerous applications. In order to drive bus for the Benzie Bus each driver must;
- Pass a pre-employment drug test and be placed in the random drug and alcohol testing program.
- Pass a MDOT physical every 2 years
- Obtain a chauffers liscence
- Obtain a Commercial Drivers License with a P and either a B or C type endorsement.
- Complete the Passenger Assistance Class
- Complete Drug and Alcohol Training
- Have a Criminal History Check completed.
- Have a good driving record.
- Have a positive attitude and have a genuine compassion for others.
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