HOW TO RIDE
Questions about ACTA Programs and Services:
Who Can Ride?
Anyone requiring transportation in Alamance County is eligible to ride the ACTA vans. ACTA provides transportation for general purpose trips, medical trips, and almost any non-emergency trip destination. In addition, special programs and pricing are available to qualified riders based on eligibility requirements.
How Do I Schedule A Ride?
To request transportation service, call the ACTA office at 336-222-0565 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Rides are scheduled on a "first come, first serve" basis and must be made no later than 11:00am the working day before a trip and based on bus availability. Ride requests are not taken during the weekend. Requests for transportation on Mondays must be made at the latest by 11:00am the preceding Friday. Once capacity is reached, additional requests for trips will be deferred to later date options. What Information is Needed?
You will need to provide the following information when you call:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your telephone number
- The appointment date
- The appointment time
- Your destination address
- Your return time
- Special requirements (i.e., child seat, wheelchair)
- The name and relationship of anyone traveling with you
When Can I Ride?
Monday-Friday, 5:00 AM - 5:30 PM (no trip request is started after 5:00 PM). Riders should be ready to be picked up based on the "Trip Times" below.
Trip Times
- All riders can expect a ride time of no more than 60 minutes aboard; generally the ride time will be less than 60 minutes.
- Buses are not permitted to wait on riders over 3 minutes once the bus arrives for pick-up. The driver will blow the horn upon arrival and (if safe) knock on your door shortly after if you do not respond to the horn. If no response, you will be marked "no show" and the bus depart. Three no shows in 60-days will result in riding privileges suspension.
- Going to Work, Medical Appointments- Riders going to work, doctor, or dialysis appointments may be dropped off up to 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled drop-off times. Pick-up time may therefore be up to 90 minutes before appointments (30 minutes early drop off + 60 max. ride time). This is the absolute maximum time with shorter intervals more often being the case.
- General trips(Shopping, etc.) – You will be picked-up generally at your scheduled pick-up time. However, ACTA may pick you up between 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after the scheduled pick-up. This flexibility is needed to accommodate other riders during the day. For your return trip home, ACTA will either pick-up at your scheduled time or no later than 30 minutes afterwards.
- Return trips from Work– You will be picked-up at your scheduled pick-up time but no later than 30 minutes afterwards. You will not be picked-up any earlier than your scheduled return pick-up time.
- Return trips that are "Will Call"(Medical Trips) – You will be picked up as soon as a bus becomes available to pick you up. While ACTA would like for this pick-up to be as quick as possible after receiving your call, it could take up to 60 minutes once you contact ACTA for your vehicle to arrive.
- OE, Friendship, Group Trips– Riders will be placed on daily routes with close to the same pick-up and drop-off times as can be arranged. Riders should be ready early in the event buses are running ahead of schedule.
What is Dial-A-Ride?
Dial-A-Ride is a transportation service for people 60 years of age or older. Call the Dial-A-Ride Administrator at (336) 222-0565 for information on eligibility, fare assistance, rides provided on a donation basis and other support made possible through federal and state grants.
How Do I Cancel My Ride?
If you must cancel a scheduled trip, please notify the ACTA office at 336-222-0565. Any cancellations should be made by 11:00 am the business day before your ride. Otherwise, it will be considered a no-show. If you receive 3 no-shows within a 60-day period, you may be suspended from services for 30 days.
How Much Does it Cost?**
Within Alamance County
General Public: One-Way - $5.00 **Effective 3/24/20-Rider fares are waived(no charge), through the end of June 30, 2024.
Round Trip - $10.00
URBAN General Public:
One-Way - $5.00
Round Trip - $10.00
Out of county non-emergency medical trips can be arranged by calling the ACTA Office. Payment for transportation service must be made to the driver. ACTA accepts cash, checks, or money orders in the exact amount of the fare. The driver can issue a receipt for the cash amount collected. Required attendant will not be charged. All others will be charged regular fares.Packets of ten (10) tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting the ACTA office and are strongly encouraged. All prices are subject to change without notice.