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Trailblazer Transit

Advice & Assistance

Scheduling Tips

  • Schedule rides only with dispatchers.
  • Remember that separate rides need to be scheduled for each leg of your trip. Therefore, you would need to schedule two rides to go somewhere and then back again.
  • Schedule all rides for your outing at the same time. Specifically, be sure to schedule your return rides along with your outbound rides, even if you have a medical appointment and don’t know exactly when you will be done (see more specific advice about medical appointments below).
  • Call as far ahead as possible to schedule rides – up to one week for the occasional bus ride. Standing orders for bus rides can be scheduled up to two-weeks in advance.
  • If possible, try to set up standing orders for consistent ride requests. Standing orders work well for ride requests at the same time from day to day and week to week.
  • You are more likely to get the scheduled times you want if there are multiple people going to the same place or at least headed in the same direction.
  • Know all the details of your ride request before you call.
  • Determine your method of payment prior to your call. You can pay on the bus with cash, check, or tokens. You can also have your rides billed to you directly or to someone else who agrees to pay on your behalf.
  • Make sure billing arrangements are in order prior to calling dispatch to schedule your ride. If someone else is going to pay for your ride, make certain that the person paying for your ride contacts Trailblazer Transit prior to you scheduling the ride.
  • Be prepared to negotiate the parameters of your ride request. If you can’t get exactly what you need when you first talk to a dispatcher, try changing some of the parameters to get something that will work with all the other rides that have been scheduled.
  • Be flexible with the times you are willing to accept.
  • Never be shy about calling and asking what times are available for you to ride, even at the last minute. Last minute ride requests can sometimes be granted.
  • Call the dispatch center several times to see what scheduling options may be available. Bus schedules can change due to additions and cancellations.
  • Same day or last minute requests can be accommodated depending on the bus schedules. However, please understand that the ability to get a ride, especially at the last minute, is always subject to what other rides are already scheduled.
  • Do not schedule a ride if you are uncertain you really want it. Others may be denied the opportunity to schedule rides because a dispatcher reserved a specific time for you.
  • If you no longer need your ride, be sure to call the office and cancel your pickup time at least one hour in advance.

Medical Appointments

  • Schedule a return ride along with your outbound ride, even if you do not know when you’ll be done.
  • Find out from the medical facility how long your appointment is expected to last and schedule your return ride at least an hour later in the day than anticipated to help account for any unexpected delays.
  • If you get done early with your appointment, you can call a dispatcher to see if the bus can pick you up sooner.
  • If you are using Trailblazer Transit to get back home after a medical appointment, tell someone when you arrive at the medical facility about the scheduled time for your return bus ride home. The staff at the medical facility can sometimes make adjustments to help you keep your appointment time for the bus.
  • Consider asking the medical provider to call Trailblazer Transit if you will not be finished with your medical appointment prior to your scheduled bus ride home. We will do our best to move other scheduled rides around so we can still pick you up after your medical appointment is completed.

Boarding

  • Be ready and waiting for the bus 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
  • Unless you are riding the bus under contract service that has specifically eliminated or reduced the pickup window, you should expect to wait up to 20 minutes total for the bus to arrive.
  • If you plan on paying for your ride at the time the bus ride is provided instead of using the billing system, please have exact change ready and be prepared to pay the driver before you sit down.
  • If necessary, make arrangement for a caretaker to be present at your pickups and/or destinations. Please confirm your pickup times with your caretakers.
  • Please use the restrooms before riding the bus.
  • Please make sure you eat before boarding the bus if you may be hungry.
  • Dispose of any open food or drink containers before boarding. Only water in clear, plastic containers can be consumed on the bus.
  • Wait until after the pickup window expires before calling dispatch to see where the bus is. The bus is not late until after the pickup window expires, which happens 10 minutes after your scheduled pickup time.
  • Confirm your destination(s) with the driver when you board the bus.
  • The use of seat belts on the buses is required by Minnesota law.
  • The use of car seats for infants and toddlers on the buses is optional. Customers must furnish and install their own car seats in the buses.

General Advice

  • Please remember that you are sharing the bus with other riders, so please be patient and respectful of everyone who wants to use the bus.
  • Be flexible. Trailblazer Transit serves many people in many communities and cannot meet everyone’s needs at exactly the same time.
  • Be prepared for the bus to do other things for other people. On the other hand, don’t always expect that the bus will be helping other people, meaning the bus may go directly to your destination sooner than you expected.
  • Any bus is available for almost anyone to ride on a space-available basis. If a bus seat is open, then any member of the general public has a right to ride the bus. However, the time it takes to travel between user-defined locations may limit what the bus can do for a diverse group of people on the bus at the same time.
  • Customers may not occupy multiple seats with packages or other items. Each person is entitled to occupy only one seat unless a customer’s physical condition requires the use of more than one seat.
  • Always assume the bus is coming to get you during your scheduled pickup window even if other community services are cancelled for some reason (i.e. weather). A dispatcher will contact you if the bus is not operating as planned.
  • Please ask for assistance when you want or need help.
  • Transit staff are not permitted to accept tips or gifts. If you feel it is necessary to show your appreciation, you are welcome to make a donation or leave a memorial to the Trailblazer Employee Fund.
  • Trailblazer Transit offers a workshop on how to use the transit system for groups who are unfamiliar with the transit system or for those who are having trouble understanding or using the transit system. Please call the office for more details.
  • Let us know how things are going and tell us how we can serve you better.
  • Yes, we absolutely want to hear about your complaints, but we would also like to hear about your compliments. Please let us know when we are doing a good job and what you like best about our service!