Riding The Bus In Eugene: A Beginner's Guide (2025)

Lane Transit District (LTD) provides bus services in Eugene, with over two dozen routes in Lane County. LTD buses are wheelchair and bike-friendly, and the service is free for University of Oregon and Lane Community College students. LTD's Emerald Express (EmX) Bus Rapid Transit system connects travellers in West Eugene, downtown, UO, Springfield and the RiverBend and Gateway area to many destinations. LTD also operates 27 Park & Ride locations that provide direct bus service to major destinations, where parking is free.

Understanding published times

Lane Transit District (LTD) provides bus services in Eugene, with millions of riders using LTD every year to get to work, school, medical appointments, or leisure activities. LTD has a comprehensive bus network, with over two dozen routes in Lane County.

If your bus stop is between two Major Stops, you can estimate the bus's arrival time by referring to the time listed for the previous Major Stop. It is generally advisable to arrive at the bus stop about five minutes early.

Bus Stop Information signs (BSIs) are smaller schedules found at some bus stop poles. If a BSI is located at a Major Stop, the bus will not depart earlier than the listed times. However, if it is at a Minor Stop, the times are estimated from the previous Major Stop and may be affected by delays due to traffic, weather, or other factors.

LTD's website, ltd.org, also provides schedules for each route, mirroring the published times in the Rider's Guide. Additionally, the website offers a trip planner tool that uses real-time data from active buses to provide estimated departure times, considering any delays the bus may encounter.

Getting on and off the bus

Before Boarding

When waiting for the bus, it is important to stand at the designated bus stop, which is usually marked by a sign or a shelter. You can also use the Lane Transit District (LTD) website or the Umo app to plan your trip, check bus schedules, and find your nearest bus stop. Make sure you have your bus fare or pass ready. LTD offers a variety of fare options, including cash, a TouchPass tap card, or the Umo app. Students and employees of the University of Oregon can obtain a free bus pass by following the instructions on the UO website.

Boarding the Bus

As the bus approaches, check the destination sign and the route number to ensure it is the correct bus. Wait for passengers to disembark, then step onto the bus through the front door. If you have a bike, ask the driver for assistance in storing it on the bike rack, usually located at the front of the bus. If you are using a mobility device, the bus operator will help you secure it safely. Once inside the bus, proceed to find a seat. If you are standing, move towards the back of the bus and hold onto the handrails.

Paying Your Fare

If you are paying in cash, deposit the exact amount into the farebox, located near the driver. If you are using a TouchPass tap card, hold the card against the reader on the farebox. If you are using the Umo app, open the app and display the QR code, which will be scanned by the reader on the bus. Students using the Umo app should also have their student ID ready.

Signalling Your Stop

When the bus is approaching your destination, signal your stop by pulling the cord or pressing the stop strip located near the windows. Make your way to the front of the bus and exit through the front door. If you are exiting through a rear door, be cautious of traffic and allow other passengers to disembark first.

After Exiting the Bus

After exiting the bus, move away from the bus stop to make room for other passengers. If you need to cross the street, do so at a safe place, obeying all traffic signals and using designated crosswalks.

By following these instructions, you can confidently and safely get on and off the bus in Eugene. Remember to be courteous to the driver and other passengers, and always pay attention to your surroundings when boarding and disembarking.

Bringing a bike on board

If you're planning to bring your bike on board a bus in Eugene, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, all LTD buses are equipped with bike racks, so you won't need to worry about whether your chosen bus can accommodate your bike. Most buses have a bike rack on the front of the bus, but EmX buses have bike racks inside the bus.

Before you board the bus, make sure you remove any water bottles, pumps, bags, or loose items from your bike that might fall off. It's also important to be ready to load your bike as the bus approaches your designated stop. Make sure you have the operator's attention before you step in front of the bus to load your bike onto the rack.

Here's a step-by-step guide to loading your bike:

• Inform the operator that you'll be using the bike rack.
• To access the folded bike rack, carefully squeeze the chrome handle and slowly lower the rack.
• Lift your bike onto the rack, ensuring the wheels are inserted into the correct slots. If no other bike is on the rack, place yours in the slot closest to the bus.
• Secure the bike by raising and releasing the wheel lock arm from its base and placing it over the front tire.

When you reach your destination and need to unload your bike, inform the operator before you get off the bus. Then, walk to the front of the bus and face the operator. Raise the lock arm off the tire and return it to its base. Lift your bicycle out of the rack towards the curb. If the rack is now empty, return it to its upright position.

Please note that unless your bicycle is a folding bike, you may not bring it inside the bus. If the bike racks are full, you'll need to wait for the next bus. Always be considerate of your fellow passengers and follow the operator's instructions when bringing your bike on board.

Using a mobility device

Lane Transit District (LTD) provides accessible travel for those with mobility devices. All LTD buses are accessible with wheelchair lifts, and each bus operator is trained to assist you with securing your mobility device.

To start, you will need to get to your nearest bus stop. You can use the Umo Mobility App to plan your trip, track your bus, and pay your fare. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Once you have the app, you can create an account, purchase a pass, and add money to your account for future fare purchases.

If you don't have a smartphone, you can purchase a tap card for contactless, seamless fare payment. Tap cards are available for purchase in the LTD Online Store and at the LTD Customer Service Center located at 1080 Willamette Street from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each reloadable tap card costs $3. You can also register your card at UmoPass.com to protect your purchases and stored value if your card is lost or stolen.

Once you have your tap card or Umo app set up, you can board the bus. When you are ready to board, open the Wallet section of the Umo App to display the QR code, or get your tap card ready. Face the mobile device screen or tap card to the Umo reader to scan your purchased fare. When the fare is accepted, the reader will display a green light. Keep your device or tap card available to show fare inspectors when riding.

LTD also offers the RideSource ADA service, which is an origin-to-destination service within the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. This service is available for seniors, people with disabilities, and people eligible for transportation benefits through the Oregon Health Plan.

Routes and schedules

Lane Transit District (LTD) provides bus services in Eugene, with over two dozen routes in Lane County. LTD buses serve Eugene, Springfield, Lowell, Cottage Grove, McKenzie Bridge, Veneta, Coburg, and Junction City. LTD's Emerald Express (EmX) Bus Rapid Transit system connects travellers in West Eugene, downtown, UO, Springfield, and the RiverBend and Gateway area to many destinations. The EmX route runs approximately every 10 minutes on weekdays and 20-30 minute intervals on weekends and evenings, with spacious and comfortable buses.

LTD's Route 1 is Campbell Center, Route 11 is Thurston, Route 12 is Gateway, Route 13 is Centennial, Route 17 is 5th Street/Hayden Bridge, Route 18 is Mohawk, Route 24 is Donald, Route 27 is Fairmount, Route 28 is Hilyard, Route 33 is Jefferson, Route 36 is W 18th Avenue, Route 40 is Echo Hollow, Route 41 is Barger/Commerce, Route 51 is Santa Clara, Route 52 is Irving, Route 55 is North Park, Route 66 is VRC/Coburg, Route 67 is Coburg/VRC, Route 73 is UO/Willamette, Route 78 is UO/Seneca/Warren, Route 79x is UO/Kinsrow, Route 81 is LCC/Hilyard, Route 82 is LCC/Pearl, Route 85 is LCC/Springfield, Route 91 is McKenzie Bridge, Route 92 is Lowell/LCC, Route 93 is Veneta, Route 95 is Junction City, Route 96 is Coburg, and Route 98 is Cottage Grove.

LTD also operates 27 Park & Ride locations that provide direct bus service to major destinations, where commuters can park their cars or bikes for free and ride the bus to work or school.

In addition to LTD, there are several other bus services that serve Eugene. FlixBus offers affordable long-distance travel with four bus stops in Eugene, connecting to Portland, Seattle, and other locations. Greyhound also offers bus travel from its downtown Eugene bus station. The BoltBus, Rhody Express, and Diamond Express also provide bus services to and from Eugene.

Frequently asked questions