Riding TheBus

• Are animals allowed on TheBus?

  Service animals are permitted to accompany their owner on TheBus.

• Are children allowed to ride on TheBus?

  Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an individual 16 years or older. A car seat is not required, but for your child’s safety they should always stay seated and never be left unsupervised. Children over the age of 12 may ride alone, but should follow these steps:

  • Children should carry identification showing their name, address, home phone number and the name and phone number of the person who will be meeting them.
  • Parents and guardians should review the details of the trip with their child prior to travel, including the bus route they will be riding and the locations where they will be getting on and off the bus. We urge you to establish a specific location at the destination point of where your child will be met.
  • No child should be traveling unaccompanied during hours of darkness.

  
  

  The most important point is to make sure that the child knows that if they have any questions or problems, they should request assistance from the bus driver.

• Can I bring a bike on the bus?

  Yes, all fixed-route buses are equipped with bike racks on the front of the vehicle. Please see the Riders Guide, Bike on Buses.

• Can I wave the bus down or do I have to be at a bus stop?

  For safety reasons, riders cannot wave at the bus to stop and must board at a designated bus stop. Every bus stop along the fixed-route has a bus stop sign posted. you can find the closest bus stop to you in our Bus Stop Inventory located under Riders Tools in our menu.

• Does TheBus connect with Pasco or Citrus County?

  TheBus currently connects with Pasco County. The transfer point with PCPT is located at the Scheer Commerce Center located on Emerald Beach Blvd. between US 19 and Bachmann Avenue. TheBus does not connect with Citrus County.

• Does TheBus serve the Pasco-Hernando State Community College (PHSC)?

  TheBus serves both the North Campus in Brooksville and the Spring Hill Campus on US19.

• How are the various transportation services funded?

  The Hernando County BOCC’s fixed-route (TheBus) and ADA demand response service are funded by grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and a required County match of local funding. Fare and advertising revenues partially offset the systems operating expenses and funding totals. Net eligible operating costs are reimbursed 50% by Federal grants, 25% by State grants, and 25% local funding match. Eligible capital costs are reimbursed at 100% by Federal grants.

• How frequently does TheBus complete a route?

  The fixed-route currently operates on 60 minute headways. Headways are the amount of time it takes a transit vehicle to return to a designated stop once it has departed.

• How much does it cost to ride TheBus?

  A standard one-way fare is $1.25. Please see our Fares and Passes section for a complete listing of regular and discounted fares for both the fixed-route and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) demand response service.

• Is exact change needed when boarding a transit vehicle?

  Yes, the exact change is required before boarding because the bus drivers do not carry change for safety reasons. Passengers are required to pay cash, present a transfer ticket or token, or show a current pass or ADA Eligibility Photo Identification Card upon boarding.

• What should I do if I see a suspicious person or package?

  For your safety and the safety of others, immediately inform the bus operator of any suspicious person, package, or activity.

• What types of passes are available and where can they be purchased?

  Currently, TheBus offers different types of fares and passes. Please visit the Fares and Passes section.

• What types of public transportation services are available in Hernando County?

  There are currently three types of public transportation services available to residents of Hernando County. The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners provides fixed-route and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) demand response service. Fixed-route service operates along a designated route with set stops on a predetermined schedule. ADA service provides curb-to-curb service (including a connection to the fixed route service) to eligible riders within 3/4 mile on either side of a fixed-route. ADA service is required when providing a fixed-route service. For additional information on the ADA service, eligibility requirements and/or how to apply for rider status, please visit the ADA Service.

  Transportation Disadvantaged Service is provided door-to-door for county residents that are unable to drive or do not have available transportation due to age, income or disability. The State’s Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged contracts with Mid-Florida Community Services Inc. d/b/a Trans-Hernando to provide this transportation service. To use this service, the rider will have to contact Trans-Hernando by calling (352) 799-1510.

• Where can I find out if a lost item was found on TheBus?

  All lost articles found on buses by operators will be turned in to the office.  Any article not claimed by the owner within 90 day period will be disposed. No food items will be kept in Lost & Found. Please call (352) 754-4444 for more information.

• Where can I get a copy of TheBus schedules and route map?

  TheBus schedule and route map are available in a printing format or you can call our offices to request the schedules, please call (352) 754-4444 for more information.

• Why does the County provide fixed-route (TheBus) service?

  Based upon population growth the County identified the need for additional public transportation service. It is estimated to cost approximately three times more to provide a Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) trip than to provide for a trip on TheBus. In addition, funding for any potential service expansion of the TD system was limited and therefore would require substantial local funding to meet the identified need for service. Due to funding and capacity limitations associated with the TD service and the demand for public transportation, the fixed route service (TheBus) was established to meet additional transportation service demand. Local funding is leveraged with available Federal and State grants to provide TheBus service.