Riding The Bus

Southeast Area Transit District > Rider Info > Riding The Bus

SEAT is committed to providing safe, dependable and friendly service. Our customers can help us by observing the following:

Be ready to board your bus, and give a clear signal to the bus operator that you want to catch the bus.
Have your fare or pass ready when boarding; exact fare is preferred; SEAT cannot make change!
If a pass cannot be electronically or visually validated by the operator, it cannot be accepted and you will need to provide another form of fare payment.
Save front seats for seniors and disabled customers; please give them up when needed.
Keep your buses and stops clean! Place trash in trash cans, and please keep feet off of the seats.
SEAT welcomes shopping bags, small carts and bags with recyclables; but only what you can carry in one trip; items cannot block center aisle or doors.
For your safety, cross behind the bus after exiting.
For everyone’s safety, please refrain from excessive conversation with the bus operator.

Please remember that SEAT operates a flag-down service. This means that as long as you are on the same side of the street as the bus, you are free to wave it down, and board at any point, same with exiting the bus – you are free to signal to the driver, who will then stop at the nearest safest point to let you off.

By following these simple guidelines, you can help us to better serve you and make the ride enjoyable for all. Our customers are entitled to ride the bus in reasonable safety, security and comfort. SEAT will not deny service to a customer unless their actions are a clear threat to public safety, security or health, or their behavior unreasonably interferes with everyone’s use and enjoyment of the transit system.

Accordingly, the following actions are prohibited on SEAT buses:

Eating or drinking. SEAT does not permit open beverage containers on its buses.
Smoking. (Including e-cigarettes.)
Transporting hazardous materials such as automobile batteries or flammable liquids.
Having loud and/or vulgar/obscene conversations, including cell phone conversations.
Using portable electronic devices without headphones or earbuds.
Transporting unfolded strollers and carts or blocking the center aisle with objects.
Placing arms, hands, etc. out of the bus window, or throwing objects out of the bus window.
Transporting pets or animals in un-approved carriers; however, ADA service animals are OK.
Not wearing pants, shirts and shoes.
Emanating grossly offensive body odor.
Carrying illegal weapons, guns and/or making threats and/or committing acts of violence.

Customers who violate these rules will be asked to cease the behavior, and if necessary, asked to exit the bus and may be barred from further service.

Please notify the bus operator immediately if you observe any of these actions. For additional safety, our buses are equipped with security cameras and all activity is subject to video recording.

Bus Stop Reminders.

Help Us, Help You - The Basics

Arrive Early

Arrive a few minutes early at the destination stop and stand in an open area that is easily visible to the Operator. (At night a customer should stand in a well-lit area.)

Check The Route

As the bus approaches, check the number and destination visible on the front of the bus. Customers should be on curb side (door side of the street). Make sure it is the bus you want. Hand motion from side to side is an indication that you would like the bus to stop.

Be Prepared

Make sure you have the correct change and/or valid bus ticket/pass for the zone in which you plan to travel. This will help to avoid delays in service.

Be Careful

As the bus approaches, stay back from the curb and wait for it to come to a complete stop before boarding. Customers should utilize hand railings to board the bus. Customers should not stand between vehicles, behind trees & poles or near intersections. Generally the rule of thumb is at least two bus lengths, which is 80 feet, from an intersection whenever possible.

Riding with Bicycles

Bikes on Board

SEAT has bike racks on their buses. Buses can carry a maximum of two bikes, on “first-come, first-served” basis.*

Only single seat, two-wheeled bikes will fit in the racks. No tricycles, electric, tandem, or motorized bikes are permitted.

Bikes will only be permitted inside the bus if a bus is not equipped with a rack, and there is sufficient space inside. If inside the bus, bikes cannot block the aisle or doors, and must remain under the control of the owner.

*On the last trip only, bikes will be permitted inside the bus if both positions are filled, and the above conditions are met.

Lost & Found

Please call our main number 860-886-2631.

Our Lost and Found Coordinator is in the office Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30 PM.

Items found can be retrieved at the SEAT Main Office 21 Route 12 Preston, CT 06365. Be sure to call and arrange for pick-up. An id will need to be shown when picking up.

Items cannot be mailed or delivered.

Lost items that are recovered are retained for 30 days.

SEAT is not responsible for items left on the buses.

Safety & Security

Be on the Alert for Suspicious Behavior and Packages

Behavior

Loitering or tampering with unattended bus
Visible signs of nervousness
Excessive sweating
Spray bottles or aerosol canisters
Inappropriate clothing that is excessively baggy or too heavy in warm weather

Packages

Placement in and out-of-the-way location
Individuals in the act of abandoning a package and hastily departing the area
Unusual attached batteries, wires, tanks, bottles or bags that might contain chemicals

To Report Suspicious Activity or Packages

Alert your bus driver
If you are not on a bus, call (860) 886 – 8631 and provide as much detail as possible, i.e., exact location and bus number
If it is an emergency, call 911.

Be Informed and Have a Transit Plan of Action

Remain calm and follow the bus operator’s instructions
Assist fellow passengers and follow the Golden Rule: “Watch out for the safety of others as you would have them watch out for your safety.”
If you are injured or need special assistance, notify the bus operator for help.

Preparedness Tips

Create an advance plan for maintaining contact with family members if separated as a result of an emergency
Create an advanced plan for maintaining contact with close friends and colleagues during an extended emergency period
Record contact and emergency information. Keep it up to date and with you at all times.
Familiarize yourself with other bus routes that can get you to your destination or meeting point in the event your main route is impassable
Familiarize yourself with all emergency instructions on the bus

See Something, Say Something

You Know Your World. And You Know When Something’s Not Right.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

It can be hard to know just what “something suspicious” looks like. But you know the world around you–the things that you see every day. And you’ll notice if something seems a little strange, out of place or just not quite right.

DURING YOUR COMMUTE
Stay alert around buses, trains, bridges and roadways. If something doesn’t look right, tell the nearest authority or transit employee.
-Bags, boxes or other packages left unattended on buses and trains, in stations or on train tracks.
-People entering unauthorized areas at train or bus stations.
-Exposed wiring, leaks, strange smells or other signs of potential tampering on buses and trains.
-People videotaping, sketching or taking notes on transit equipment or facilities.
-Placing a package or luggage in a different compartment than the one being occupied.
-People who stay at bus or train stations for long periods without getting on.

OTHER SOMETHINGS THAT MIGHT BE SUSPICIOUS
-Strange vehicles left unattended near busy areas or under bridges.
-Strange packages left unattended in malls, parking garages, stadiums, theaters or other crowded public places.
-People wearing oversized clothing for their body type or excessively bulky clothing in hot weather.
-Anyone abandoning an item behind and leaving the area quickly.
-People wearing a uniform but not appearing to be involved in an appropriate activity.
-People openly possessing a weapon or dangerous item.
-Strange chemical smells.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
When you see something, how do you say something?
TELL AN AUTHORITY
Say something to an authority if there is one nearby.
-Tell a police officer
-On a bus, tell the driver
-In a train or at a train station, tell a conductor or a transit worker

CALL THE STATEWIDE HOMELAND SECURITY TIP LINE
If there isn’t an authority nearby, call 1-866-HLS-TIPS (1-866-457-8477). It’s a free call and it’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CALL 9-1-1
Sometimes, something suspicious can turn into an emergency situation, requiring a more urgent response. If you believe there is immediate danger, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

“See Something, Say Something” is the theme of a state-wide public awareness campaign empowering residents of Connecticut to help protect the state from terrorism and keep everyone safe. See www.keepctsafe.com for details.