Transit Education
Transit Safety
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Travel and Visitor Information
When calling in for information, to help us in planning your trip and answering your questions, please have a pencil/pen and paper ready and be able to tell us:
- Whether you will be traveling on a weekday or weekend.
- Your desired staring point (street/location of bus stop/shelter if known), including the address or intersection where you are located.
- Your desired destination (the address or intersection nearest where you want to travel.
- Time you need to arrive.
Waiting for the Bus
- Every DDOT bus stop is designated with a rectangle green and yellow sign.
- Wait for the bus at any bus stop along your route, in the direction you want to travel. As the bus approaches, check the route number and name located in the area above the windshield.
- Leave early to give yourself enough time to get to your stop or designated pick up point. Avoid taking short cuts or walking in unlit or unsafe areas.
- Leave early so that you don't run for a bus. Running you may slip and fall or be hit by a vehicle.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence. Keep your head up and always look around and behind you.
- Be extra careful when walking in front of vacant buildings, alleys, vacant lots and overgrown areas. Report suspicious activity or persons to the police immediately.
- Be aware of places along the route you travel walking where you can get help, such as open stores, gas stations, restaurants, public telephones, businesses, etc.
- For added safety, students are encouraged to travel with a friend or in groups. If you notice suspicious activity or persons, notify the police immediately and or go to the main office at your school.
- If you notice that your pickup point, bus stop, or shelter is in a unsafe area (near a vacant lot with overgrown grass, very close to a vacant building or an alley) please call and make a report to the DDOT Customer Information Service (933-1300). They will forward this information to the appropriate division for investigation.
Identifying the Correct Bus
- As your bus approaches, be sure it is the correct one before you try to board. Every bus is assigned to a numbered route.
- All coaches display head signs - the changeable route and destination message located on the outside front of each coach, just above the windshield. The sign identifies the route and/or destination served by each DDOT bus. NOTE: Flex Route buses will be easy to identify: #80 Flex -HAYES.
Boarding the Bus
- Never walk directly in front of or behind a stopped bus; other drivers may not see you.
- Prior to boarding, wait for the bus to come to complete stop, the door to open fully, and passengers to leave the bus, then board.
- Use exact fare, pass, or transfer. Drivers do not carry change.
- If you have any questions while you are on the bus, the drivers will gladly help, but try not to distract them while the bus is in motion.
- Offer to help the elderly, disabled people and those with young children.
- When boarding and leaving the bus, keep all bags, parcels, and book bags clear of the door. Carry these items in front of you so that they don't get caught in the door as they close.
- Please take your seat promptly after you've entered the bus. If no seats are available, please use the handrails provided for your safety. Make sure all children are secure.
On the Bus
- For the comfort of all passengers NO EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING or LITTERING are allowed on the buses. Help keep our buses clean.
- All passengers must wear shirts and shoes.
- Be courteous. Priority seating in the front section of the buses and seats next to the rail doors are reserved for disabled persons and elderly riders. Flip-type seats located near the wheelchair boarding entrance are for people using wheelchairs.
- As a courtesy to disabled persons and elderly riders, when the bus is full kindly offer your seat.
- Plain clothes Detroit Police Officers often ride DDOT buses.
- Please talking quietly in your seats. No running or playing on the buses.
- No soliciting. No committing a nuisance. No fighting.
- It is prohibited to play radios or other sound devices without earphones aboard the buses.
- No weapons or firearms are allowed on DDOT vehicles or property.
- Do not vandalize. DO NOT WRITE ON THE WALLS, WINDOWS,DOORS OR SEATS. The Detroit Police Department will make arrests for vandalism, punishable with a fine or jail sentence.
- Guide dogs are allowed on bus if you have a visual impairment. Other service animals are allowed for riders with disabilities. There is no added fare.
- USE YOUR TIME ON THE BUS TO READ, RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE !!!!!!
Leaving the Bus
- About a block from your destination, push the plastic strip beside the window (on some buses you pull a cord above the window). This informs the operator you wish to get off at the next stop or your service drop off point.
- Whenever possible, in the daytime leave the bus by the rear door. (At night use the front door.)
- When traveling with small children, hold on to them as they leave the bus.
- You must push the bar on the rear door after the green light is activated before the door will automatically open for you to exit. Please step carefully from the door.
- Always obey traffic signals and cross the street at corners. Never run out in front of the bus . WAIT until the bus moves away before you step into the street so that you can clearly see other traffic.
