Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Accessibility | Bike & Ride | FAQ's | How to Ride | Popular Destinations | Safety Guidelines
Here are some frequently asked questions about riding WestCAT and helpful answers to make your trip a pleasant one. You can also download and print out this list as a handy PDF file at the link below:
Q. Can I bring luggage, packages or groceries on the bus?
A. Yes, as long as you can handle all your packages by yourself. Due to space and safety considerations, WestCAT has a 3 bag per person limit on all its buses, there will be a charge of $1.50 for each additional bag beyond that limit.
Q. What do I do if I left something on the bus?
A. While we can’t be responsible for any items left on the bus, call the Information Center at (510) 724-7993 as soon as possible. Items found are not logged into the lost and found until after 3 p.m. the following day, so follow up calls are a good idea. Be sure to have the route number and time of travel available upon request.
Q. Where do I get a bus transfer?
A. When boarding the bus, ask the operator for a transfer. Transfers are good for one hour from the time of issue.
Q. Can I use a valid transfer from another WestCAT route to board the WestCAT Lynx at established transfer points?
A. Yes, all transfers from all other WestCAT routes to the WestCAT Lynx to San Francisco require payment of a transfer fee. *Please refer to the regular WestCAT schedule for transfer fares.
Q. Can I use a transfer to reboard the same route after a stop-over (to pick-up some groceries, go to the bank, etc.) or to go back to where I began my original trip?
A. No, transfers are valid for one-way trips only, for one hour from time of issue and are not valid to reboard the same route after a stop-over. For example, you can't go from a route 10 to a route 10. If you wish to do this, purchase a day pass from your driver and you can go in any direction on and off any WestCAT local and express bus all day until the last bus of the evening for the price of one roundtrip. (Not valid on: Lynx or Dial-A-Ride). Transfers are valid only at established transfer locations.
Q. Can I ask to use the wheelchair
lift to board the bus?
A. Yes. If you are unable to climb the
bus stairs, you may use the lift as a
standee.
Q. Can I transport my child onto the
bus in a stroller, and may my child
ride in a stroller on the bus?
A. No, to ensure the safety of the child,
passengers must remove children from
the stroller and fold the stroller prior to
boarding. Once aboard, the stroller
must be stowed behind the seat and out
of the aisle. The stroller must not block
aisles, wheelchair stations, doors,
steps, or emergency exists. Passengers
refusing to control the stroller as
described above will be refused a ride.
Q. Can I take my bicycle on board a
WestCAT bus?
A. No, with the exception of folding
bicycles that must be stored on the
floor in front of the passenger, and not
blocking the aisle of the bus. All fixed
route, express, and transbay buses are
equipped with bike racks, which will
accommodate 2 bikes on a “first-come,
first-served” basis. Passengers using
the bike racks must load the bike
themselves and do so at their own risk.
Q. Does WestCAT offer monthly
passes?
A. Yes, as of January 1, 2008 WestCAT began offering an unlimited ride discount monthly pass available for sale by mail or at the
WestCAT office in Pinole, Mon-Fri from
7:30 AM until 6:00 PM. Also available for sale, Lynx monthly passes and tickets. Please call (510) 724-7993 for more information.
Q. How can I receive a reduced fare
on WestCAT?
A. If asked, please show the driver one
of the following: Drivers License (senior
fare), Regional Transit Connection Card,
Medicare Card (not Medi-CAL) or DMV
Disabled ID Card (disabled fare).
Q. Are there other services
available to me if I am not able to
access the regular WestCAT fixed
route or express buses due to
temporary or permanent disability?
A. Yes, WestCAT Dial-A-Ride and ADA
Paratransit services are available to
qualified individuals. Please call (510)
724-7993 for information about
whether or not you qualify for either or
both of these services. You may also
visit our Dial-A-Ride section for more
information about these services.
Q. Can I request to be let off or on a
WestCAT bus at any location other
than at an established bus stop?
A. No, with the exception of temporary
bus stops posted by WestCAT. This
policy is necessitated by the increased
risk that a passenger could be
endangered by winding up in the path
of a car or bus by simply being in the
wrong place at the wrong time when
seeking to board or exit somewhere
other than the established stop
Q. Do you have a have a door-to-door transit trip planner?
A. There is such a feature and it's called the Take Transit Trip Planner. You can find it by going to our Trip Planner link on the Main and Schedules/Maps pages. The Trip Planner is located on the 511.org site and it operated by the MTC. On that page, you enter your starting point and destination and it will give you an itinerary with all the info you need to complete your trip, including any transfers, how long it would take and the cost of the trip. Currently it covers most of the agencies in the Bay Area and is located on the 511.org transportation portal. Please note it is in the process of being updated.
Q. I have a question about WestCAT and I don't see it answered here?
A. If your question is not answered here and couldn't locate the information on our site, feel free to go to our Contact Us page and use our online comment card, the convenient comment card behind the driver's seat on all coaches or call us directly at (510) 724-7993. Our WestCAT information number is also located on the bottom of every page on our website.
Related File: Facts about riding WestCAT Brochure (Revised January 22, 2008 - 107k PDF)
Return to: Rider's Guide - Welcome Page |
