Transit Authority of River City

"First ride of the day with a driver named Susan was wonderful. She really took care with helping to get my mom into the bus and had safety as a priority. The major issue I have is with attempting to get a ride back. We called in an early pick up and were given an hour and a half window. Instead of sitting out in the cold we looked around in the store assuming we'd be notified when the driver arrived or was on there was...not really a hard thing to do. This is a service for people who are disabled after all. It takes a little extra time to do things. Apparently we were expect to wait out in the cold for that hour and a half, not knowing when the driver was going to arrive. We didn't receive any sort of notification about our ride until my mom got a call from dispatch that our ride had been waiting outside. We rushed out the store as quick as we could just to see our bus drive off. We were then marked as a no show even though we literally just told dispatch we were walking out the door. I then have to call again to schedule another pick up. This gave us another hour and a half time frame. So as not to be left behind again, my mom and I waited in the area right inside of the front door of the store. While it blocked some of the cold, the doors were constantly opening and closing as people came through. My mom got so cold from the draft blowing in that she got a headache and I had to go inside the store to buy her a blanket. After about 35 minutes of waiting a second bus arrived, only to find out it couldn't accommodate my mom's needs! We had confirmed multiple times that she has an extra wide wheelchair. The driver, who was nice, called dispatch to inform them of the situation. So here I am waiting for the THIRD bus to arrive. It is an estimated 45 minute wait. We're back inside the front door freezing, while I step out every couple of minutes to make sure we don't lose our only way home once again. Literally all of this could have been avoided had they given a courtesy call when the bus was in route to us. We could have been outside up front ready to go. Something so simple could have avoided wasting everyone's time. When I called to file a complaint about the situation I was basically told "we don't do that". So here's some feedback on how to improve your services...when it is a willcall ride, figure out a way to notify the rider the bus in on their way with an estimate of arrival time. Something more specific than some 90 minute window, especially during harsher weather conditions. I know for a fact other transportation companies do this so it is completely possible. Do better for your more vulnerable paying customers."

"Buses are often late, but that can be accounted for. The tarc card takes two days to credit your fares you buy online. My laundry app is instantaneous, so thats hard to understand. Don't run out of fare if you use a debit card, you might get stuck somewhere. Cheap enough fare, it's fine and functional, not great."

"Pretty reliable public transportation. The buses usually arrive within a few minutes of when they are due. Most of the time decently clean, but occasionally you will get on one that is dirty. Most of the drivers are friendly. It's lot cheaper than you will pay with driving considering price of gas insurance, and any work you may have to have done on your car."

"This is a great option for getting around the city if you don't want the headache of finding parking and dealing with crazy gas prices. The historic train station where the offices are located is also super cool."

"Incredibly unreliable and using antiquated systems. Why does it take 2 days for fare to load on your card after adding it??? Why do the buses only take cash when every other metropolitan area has contactless pay installed at this point??? Buses are rountinely late and drive right past the stop. I would love to support this public transit system but it needs to be administered better"