Accessible Services
Low-Floor MBTA Bus

The Customer Experience And Accessibility Features on MBTA Buses







 

Reminder Please note that any customer has the right to use accessibility equipment (such as kneelers, ramps, or lifts). 

 

All MBTA buses are equipped with:

 

What to Expect When Boarding the Bus 

 

MBTA bus stop sign.
  • To begin your journey on a MBTA bus, position yourself near a MBTA bus stop. Bus stops typically are tombstone-shaped with the "T" logo near the lower portion of the bus stop sign.
Bus appropriately pulled to curb to board customers. 
Bus Operator letting a customer in a wheeled mobility device off of the bus at a safe location near the bus stop.
Click here to hear a sample destination announcement.
Audio: "Route 1 Service to Dudley Station"
  • When the doors of the bus open at each stop, the stop announcement equipment will announce the route number and destination of the bus. If the automated stop announcement equipment isn't working, the Bus Operator is required to announce the route number and destination of the bus in areas where more than one route serves the same stop.
Customer inserting coin into the farebox
Customers sitting in priority seating area.
  • Priority seating is usually located near the front of the bus and is identified by signs just above the priority seat. Federal Law requires that priority seats be made available to seniors and customers with disabilities. If you need a priority seat and find that all such seats are occupied, ask the bus operator for assistance. The bus operator can only ask a person who is sitting in a priority seat to move. An operator is not, however, allowed to force a customer to move.  (Why is a Bus Operator not allowed to force a person to move from a priority seat?) 
Ramp on low-floor bus.Lift on high-floor bus.
  • If you require the use of a ramp or lift to board the bus, you will need to board using the lift located at the rear door (on the older high-floor buses) or the ramp located at the front door (on the newer low-floor buses). Remember, any customer can request to use the ramp or lift to board the bus.
Customer in a wheelled mobility device boarding a low-floor bus before other customers.
Bus Operator asking a customer in a wheeled mobility device for their destination.
  • If you require the use of the ramp or lift to exit the bus, the bus operator may ask you for your destination in an effort to let you off at an accessible location near your stop. Providing the Bus Operator with your destination is optional.

 

During Your Journey

 

bus interior stop announcement display
  • The automated stop announcement equipment will announce every stop as the bus travels along the route. Stops are also displayed on a screen located in the front of the bus. If the stop announcement equipment is not working, the bus operator is required to announce key stops and major transfer points. Under Federal Law, transit agencies are required to ensure that at least major intersections and transfer points to other modes of transportation are announced. (Click here to learn more about stop announcements)
Display screen in the interior of the bus with the words Bunker Hill Street displayed.
  • Pay attention to the stops as they are announced and displayed to ensure that you exit at the right stop.
Customer pressing the yellow stop request strip
  • As the bus reaches your desired stop, press the yellow strip (typically found near the windows and in securement areas) or grey button (found on vertical poles on newer low-floor vehicles) to request your stop.  Ask for the bus operator′s assistance if you need help finding your stop.

What to Expect When Exiting the Bus

 

Bus appropriately pulled to curb to board customers. 
Bus Operator letting a customer in a wheeled mobility device off of the bus at a safe location near the bus stop.
Bus Operator removing securement straps from a wheeled mobility device.
Bus Operator helping a customer in a wheeled mobility device down the ramp of a low-floor bus.
  • If you need assistance exiting the bus, please let the bus operator know.