Accessible Services

Exiting Procedures for Wheeled Mobility Device Users

All MBTA buses are equipped with a ramp or lift to enable customers with wheeled mobility devices, or who have limited mobility, to board and exit the bus. When exiting a MBTA bus, we encourage you to use the following procedure:

Exiting Procedure for Low-Floor Buses

Customer in a wheeled mobility device pressing the stop request strip.
  • If you did not inform the bus operator of your destination during the boarding process, press on the yellow strip (which is at wheelchair height and on the side of the bus) to request your stop.
Bus lowered to curb with ramp deployed.
  • When the bus arrives at your destination, the bus operator will lower the bus and deploy the ramp.
Bus Operator unsecuring a wheeled mobility device.
  • Once the ramp is deployed, the bus operator will then release the securement straps from your wheeled mobility device.
Customer in a wheeled mobility device using ramp to exit a low-floor bus.
  • Once all securement straps have been detached from your wheeled mobility device, proceed to the front door and exit the bus using the ramp. If you need assistance, let the operator know.

Exiting Procedure for High-Floor Buses

Customer in a wheeled mobility device pressing the stop request strip.
  • If you did not inform the bus operator of your destination during the boarding process, press on the yellow strip (which is at wheelchair height and on the side of the bus) to request your stop.
Lift deployed on a high-floor bus.
  • When the bus arrives at your destination, the bus operator will deploy the lift. 
Bus Operator unsecuring a wheeled mobility device.
  • Once the lift is deployed, the bus operator will then release the securement straps from your wheeled mobility device.
Customer in a wheeled mobility device on lift of high-floor bus.
  • Once all securement straps have been detached from your wheeled mobility device, proceed onto the lift.  If you need assistance boarding the lift, let the operator know.
Customer in a wheeled mobility device placing their brakes in the locked position.
  • Once on the lift, make sure that your brakes are in the "locked" position or that the motor of your wheeled mobility device is turned off. Keep your arms close to your body when the lift is in motion.
Customer in a wheeled mobility device exiting the lift onto the sidewalk.
  • When the lift has reached the sidewalk and the barrier leading to the sidewalk has opened, wheel off of the ramp onto the sidewalk.


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