Frequently Asked Questions
Riding the bus is an easy and reliable way to get around town, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have questions about how it works. Find out how to make the bus your other set of wheels.
1. When does the bus run?
2. What cultural/entertainment centers can The BUS take me to?
3. Is The BUS wheelchair accessible?
4. What government offices does The BUS stop at?
5. How do I ride The BUS?
6. How much does it cost to ride The BUS?
7. How Much Does a Monthly Pass Cost?
8. What major medical facilities does The BUS go to?
9. What parks and community centers does The BUS stop at?
10. Does The BUS stop at the public library?
11. What schools does The BUS stop at?
12. What major shopping areas does The BUS stop at?
13. About the "Transit Benefit Program"
14. Can The BUS get me to work?
15. What if I have additional questions?
Have your own questions about riding the bus? Send us your feedback.
1. When does the bus run?
BUS service is provided:
| Monday - Friday: |
5:00 AM - 10:10 PM |
| Saturday: |
5:30 AM - 6:30 PM |
| Sunday: |
9:30 AM - 6:30 PM |
| Telephone: 262-637-9000 |
See a BUS schedule for specific information regarding routes and times.
The Buses do not run on major holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
and Christmas. The Bus Office will be closed on those days as well, and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve,
and New Years Eve.
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2. What cultural/entertainment centers can The BUS take me to?
Golden Rondelle
Racine Civic Center
(Festival Hall/Memorial Hall)
Racine Heritage Museum
Racine Theater Guild
Racine Art Museum
Wustum Museum
Racine Public Library
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3. Is The BUS wheelchair accessible? Yes. The Belle Urban System buses are equipped with easy-to-use automated lifts or ramps. It’s part of our commitment to providing community access to everyone in Racine. Reduced fares are offered to persons with disabilities. If you need an attendant, they ride free. Please go to fares for details.
Since the buses are equipped with lifts or ramps, no advance notice is necessary when planning your ride. You’ll find each bus equipped to accommodate two wheelchairs. Seating capacity is on a first-come, first-served basis. For your safety, bus operators will assist you with boarding the bus. Also, bus operators will only deboard you at safe locations.
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4. What government offices does The BUS stop at?
Racine City Hall
The Racine County Court House
The Racine Police Department
Workforce Development Center
Social Security Administration Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Probation and Parole
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
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5. How do I ride The BUS?
Once you have planned your trip, identified your route and the bus(es) you need, look for The BUS stop sign. Each stop sign shows the number and color of the routes stopping at that location. The BUS stops only at BUS stops.
It is best to arrive a few minutes early so you will be sure to catch the bus. Please have the exact fare or a bus pass ready when boarding.
If you need a transfer, ask the bus operator for one at the time you pay your fare. A free transfer will be given at the time you pay your fare allowing you free access between buses. Transfers are valid for one hour from the time you board the bus.
Please watch for your destination. The bus operator will assist you if you are unfamiliar with the area. When you are about a block from your destination, just push the bell strip or pull the cord located between the bus windows to indicate you’d like the bus to stop. If another rider has already rung the bell, you do not need to ring it again. When The BUS has come to a complete stop, please exit through the nearest door.
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6. How much does it cost to ride The BUS?
Fares:
Adults (18-64) $2.00
Children (6-17) $2.00
Children (0-5) Free when accompanied by an adult
Senior Citizens (65 & over) $1.00
Disabled $1.00
Medicare Card Holders $1.00
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7. How Much Does a Monthly Pass Cost? 30 Day Full Pass
(Unlimited rides) ...................$65.00
30 Day Reduced Pass
(Unlimited rides) ...................$30.00*
10-Ride Pass ...............$15.00
Day Pass .....................$4.00
(Unlimited rides for that day)
For your 30 pass, simply climb aboard and INSERT your pass in the pass reader on the fare box.
Bus passes are available at many locations throughout the area. Click here to view all bus pass and ticket outlets. Call us at 637-9000.
*30 Day Reduced Passes are available at City Hall in the city clerk's office and City Bus 1900 Kentucky St.
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8. What major medical facilities does The BUS go to?
All Saints Healthcare
Spring St. Campus
Four Mile Rd. Campus
St. Mary's Medical Center
St. Luke's Health Pavilion
St. Luke's Hospital
Aurora Health Centers
Washington Ave.
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9. What parks and community centers does The BUS stop at?
Dr. John Bryant Community Center
Humble Park Community Center
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Racine Zoological Gardens (Zoo)
Washington Park Community Center
Caesar Chavez Community Center
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10. Does The BUS stop at the public library?
Yes.
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11. What schools does The BUS stop at?
Gateway Technical College – Racine Campus
High Schools:
J. I. Case
William Horlick
Lutheran
* St. Catherine's
* Walden III
Washington Park
Middle Schools:
Gilmore
Jerstad-Agerholm
* McKinley
Mitchell
Starbuck
* Dropped off near these schools.
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12. What major shopping areas does The BUS stop at?
Badger Plaza
Downtown
Elmwood Plaza
Shorecrest Plaza
High Ridge
Rapids Plaza
Regency Mall
Regency Point
GreenTree Shopping Center
Westgate
Wal-Mart
Uptown
West Racine
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13. About the "Transit Benefit Program"
What is the "Transet Benefit Program," and how does it work?
The Transit Benefit Program is a provision of the Internal Revenue Code [(26 USC 132(f)] that permits an employer to pay for an employee’s cost of commuting to work in other than a single occupancy vehicle. The program is designed to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and conserve energy by encouraging employees to commute by means other than single occupancy motor vehicles.
Under the program, an employer may provide up to $65 per month to those employees who commute to work by transit or vanpool. The employer can deduct these costs as business expenses and the employees do not report the subsidy as income for tax purposes. The subsidy is considered a "qualified transportation fringe" benefit.
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What constitutes the "benefit"?
An employer may provide cash reimbursement to an employee for public transit or vanpool transportation costs for trips taken between his/her home and place of employment. Such reimbursement is only permitted if a voucher or similar item which may be exchanged only for a transit or vanpool pass is not readily available. Cash reimbursement does not include cash advances. A transit pass includes any pass, token, farecard, voucher, or similar item entitling a person to transportation on mass transit facilities or provided by a vanpool.
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Can an employee receive the benefit instead of salary?
Yes. There are several ways in which an employee may receive a transit or vanpool benefit.
- An employer may elect to provide the benefit in addition to an employee’s current salary. The benefit would be free of all payroll and income taxes to the employee, and the employer would deduct the cost from their business income taxes.
- An employer may permit employees to set aside (in lieu of) some of their pre-tax income to pay for transit or vanpools. Employees would not pay income or payroll taxes on the amount of the benefit they "purchase" and employers would not pay payroll taxes since the amount is treated as a benefit rather than as taxable salary. The employee’s W-2 would reflect a reduction equal to the amount of the benefit selected, up to $65 per month.
- An employer may share the cost of commuting with their employees. Employers may give their employees part of the commuting expense tax free in addition to their compensation and allow the employees to set aside part of their gross income to pay the remaining amount, up to the total monthly limit of $65.
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Can the $65 limit increase over time?
Yes. An indexing mechanism in the IRC permits the limit to increase by $5 increments based on changes to the cost of living index. Recently enacted legislation provides for the limit to increase from $65 to $100.
Where can I obtain further information?
Contact The Belle Urban System at 636-9166 for information about a program to provide transit passes to employers for distribution
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14. Can The BUS get me to work?
The BUS travels throughout the Racine area stopping at many companies and industrial offices in the area. Look at a system map to see if The BUS runs near where you work. We’ve included a list of some of the workplaces The BUS stops at or near:
CNH
Grandview Business Park
Huck Industrial Park
Olson Industrial Park
Renaissance Center
SC Johnson
The Johnson Bulding
Administrative Complex
Waxdale
Workforce Development Center
Wright-Wieczorek Industrial Park
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15. What if I have additional questions?
Please feel fee to contact us if you have additional questions or would like more information on what you’ve seen here. Please contact The BUS at 262-637-9000.
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