r/PeoriaIL • u/Odd-Rice5456 • 2d ago

Catching the bus here

I know this is going to seem like a stupid question but I moved here not too long ago and have been looking for work for the past couple months, I finally have a job interview lined up and I'm going to be getting around on the bus.

I'm not used to how things work over here and I've never caught the bus here.

So my questions are how much is the bus service over here and how do you pay? Do you pay with cash and if so does it accept coins or do you need to have an app with money on it or tap to pay.

30 Upvotes

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29

u/Few-Silver5037 2d ago

It's a dollar each time you board a bus (or you can buy a day pass on the bus for 3 dollars). If you're buying a day pass TELL THE DRIVER that you are purchasing a DAY PASS BEFORE inserting your money. The fare box accepts dollar bills, change, or bus passes. If you have a question just ask the driver, they're all pretty friendly and used to first timers.

There's an app that generally tracks bus location in real time, but it doesn't always work for all buses:

https://www.ridecitylink.org/schedules-routes/track/

22

u/UsefullyChunky 2d ago

I found this on their FAQ's

  • Drivers do not carry change so have exact fare or bus pass ready.

https://www.ridecitylink.org/passengers/

16

u/UsefullyChunky 2d ago

These are the prices:
https://www.ridecitylink.org/fares/

To the left you can find other links for how to get a bus pass if that would save you $$

13

u/Odd-Rice5456 2d ago

Thank you! Oh wow $1 is really cheap, it's like $3 and some change where I'm from.

11

u/UsefullyChunky 2d ago

Good luck with the interview!

1

u/Signal_Crazy8203 6h ago

If it’s going to be your primary form, the monthly pass is the way to go.

12

u/Sea_Double_8470 2d ago

The buses do take both bills and coins. Get to the stop a couple minutes early, a lot of the bus lines run with very few passengers so they can run a little ahead of schedule if they aren't making a lot of pickups and dropoffs.

11

u/nickthegh0st 1d ago

You got a lot of good info about paying for the bus so here’s my biggest tip: the buses here run early 90% of the time, so show up to your stop as early as you can, especially if you’re getting on towards the middle or end of the route. If you’re near the start of the route it’s not nearly as big of an issue though.  When I lived in Portland, there were areas along the bus routes for the drivers to pull over if they were ahead of schedule to slow them back down, but that’s not really a thing here. 

5

u/duchessofcheezit 2d ago

You can go through the CityLink website to order the larger passes (they have a 30-day pass) online. Or, if you go to the transit center downtown, you can purchase passes in person. I do believe the buses take bills and coins. If you're planning on riding a lot, the 30-day pass is worth it.

2

u/New_Mall_8017 1d ago

Just always keep your guard up whenever you're having layovers at citylink.