How To Ride with ECU Transit

Sometimes the process of learning to use a transit system like ours can be a bit daunting. Our system is oriented around the university, with the vast majority of our ridership being students going to or from class. Start by familiarizing yourself with our routes; this will help you get acquainted not only with our system, but different areas of town as well. Some people prefer a more adventurous approach and will get on a bus just to see where it goes. Either way, you’re sure to see something new. Below are several of our tips for getting around and rider policies designed with everyone’s safety in mind.

Safety: Priority One

Safety is of the utmost importance in all aspects of ECU Transit operations. Stop locations, service schedules, equipment selection, policies and more are all taken into consideration for the safety of our riders, employees, and others in the community. It is important to recognize everyone’s role in being safe.

Stop locations are chosen with safety in mind; vehicle operators are not allowed to stop at other locations. This also means the operator cannot open the doors once the bus has left the curb to discourage riders from endangering themselves to catch a missed bus. Never run after a bus once it has pulled away from the curb. There are many blind spots and the driver may not see you.

The below information will help ensure the safety of yourself and others while using the system.

While You Wait:

Arrive at your stop a few minutes early to allow for traffic conditions. Stop times listed for many locations are approximate and the bus may arrive slightly earlier or later depending on traffic conditions. Do not wait until the last bus before your class time; we recommend you ride about 45 minutes early to make sure you arrive on time.

When the bus approaches your stop, make sure you are visible to the operator. This is especially important if you are waiting alone or at a stop along a busy street. If he or she cannot see you, they will not stop unless other riders are trying to get off at your location.

Boarding And Riding:

  1. Stand back from the curb – To ease the process of boarding and alighting, our operators align their vehicles to be close to, or sometimes even over, the curb. While waiting for the bus, please stand back from the curb to allow the operator ample room to maneuver and stop safely.
  2. Do not approach vehicles in motion – It is important to allow the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it. A moving vehicle is always dangerous, especially if you approach from an angle where the driver cannot see you,
  3. Before stepping onto the bus, allow others to exit first if they must do so through the front door – Board through the front door and exit through the rear door if available. Please board and be seated quickly to avoid delays. During peak periods, fill rear seating first all the way to the front, then standing room from the rear to the front. Also, try to make as much standing room as possible so the bus can carry more passengers.
  4. Be seated, hold on – Always take a seat when possible while riding the bus. Seated riders are much less likely to be injured in the event sudden maneuvers are necessary, or if there is an accident or other emergency situation. If you must stand, use the handrails or grab straps to secure yourself.
  5. Remain behind the line – Our operators will not permit anyone to stand forward of the standee line at the front of the bus; if there is no room remaining for you to stand behind the line, you will be asked to step off the bus. Riders who stand in front of this line not only obscure the operator’s view but are also at greater risk of injury if the bus must stop suddenly or is involved in an accident.
  6. If a rider using a wheelchair boards the bus, riders seated in the ADA securement area should relinquish their seats at the operator’s request to accommodate the wheelchair.

Additionally, while riding keep in mind these rules: 

  • Please keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times.
  • Do not smoke, eat, or drink on the bus.
  • Place all trash in the wastebasket near the door.
  • Please keep headset volumes low and cell phone conversations to a minimum to avoid distracting the operator or other riders.

Disembarking:

  1. Pull the stop request cord or press the stop request bar prior to your stop.
    • You must make the request when you are still a reasonable distance from the stop. The operator will not be able to safely stop the bus if the request is made too late and too close to the stop. In these instances, the operator will stop at the next scheduled stop. You can pull the cord or press the bar shortly after leaving the previous stop to ensure your stop is not missed. On some routes, the operator will not stop if there are no visible riders waiting at a bus stop or if there is no request to exit the bus.
  2. Exit using the rear door. Please exit quickly to avoid delays.

Adaptive Schedules: Peak vs Off-Peak

ECU Transit utilizes adaptive scheduling in order to effectively serve the diverse needs of our riders as well as enhance efficiency. This method allows us to tailor the level of service provided to match capacity demands where possible. Many route schedules refer to peak and off-peak periods. What does this mean? Ridership typically reaches a peak, or maximum volume, in the morning just before classes begin. There are typically multiple peaks coinciding with class start times and end times.

Once most classes have ended for the day, off-peak ridership reflects less demand for travel to and from campus. During peak ridership times, routes which operate on adaptive schedules will run more frequently, sometimes using multiple buses. This allows for shorter headway’s between buses and the ability to move more riders in the same amount of time.

During peak times, the bus may reach capacity and be unable to accept additional riders. When the bus is full and no one indicates a desire to get off at the next stop, the operator may not stop for waiting passengers.

Options for Using the System

Several options are available for riders who wish to use our system for getting to, from, or around campus. If you need help planning your trip, simply give us a call and a telecommunicator will be happy to help.

  • Ride directly from served apartments. Several routes operate to serve off-campus apartment complexes which have chosen to partner with ECU Transit for bus service directly to the property.
  • Walk to a nearby stop. Although the bus may not come right to your front door, many stops are located within easy walking distance of popular student housing options. A list of stops and the routes which serve them is available.
  • Take your bike. Some vehicles are now equipped with bicycle racks so you can easily bring your bike with you. Please see our guide to bicycles and bicycle racks for more information.
  • Venture off campus. If you live on campus, the bus system is a great way to visit friends who live in off-campus apartment complexes. You also have the option of going out to eat or shopping at several off-campus locations around town.

Connections & Transfers

While most service focuses on getting riders to and from campus, additional shuttles are provided to help complete your trip from one location to another. ECU Transit provides routes which can connect commuter students from outlying parking areas back to main campus, or even help riders move between main campus and the health sciences campus. For transfers which require moving from one campus hub to another, a circulator shuttle loops around main campus to connect routes staged in different locations.