MART, in conjunction with the North Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), is proud to bring Travel Training to our region.
What is Travel Training?
Travel training is a self-paced process that teaches people how to safely and independently use the bus. Travel destinations are the trainee’s choice and can include: work, school, medical appointments, and recreation sites.
Who Should Participate? Anyone, especially Seniors and individuals with cognitive, mental health, or physical impairments who wish to become more independent. Where you live and want to go should be on or near a public bus route.
Benefits of Travel Training:
- Enhances freedom, mobility and independence
- Provides access to safe and low-cost transportation
- Increases self-confidence
- Promotes healthy living by helping you stay active in the community
Travel Trainers Can Teach You:
- How to plan your trip
- How to get to and from your bus stop
- How to ride a specific route
- How to recognize bus routes, bus stops, and landmarks
- How to pay fares and purchase passes
- How to board with a mobility device
- Where to position your mobility device on the bus
- How to prepare for the unexpected
- Street crossing safety
- Stranger awareness
- How to read and understand bus schedules
Is there a cost for training?
Travel training is provided free-of-charge except for your bus fare while training is taking place.
How do I get Travel Training?
MART and the RCC have developed a unique approach to providing this training to the different population types who may want/need Travel Training in MART’s fixed route bus area. MART and the RCC created a regional approach where multiple agencies would do the training depending upon the eligibility of the person needing it.
Determine Your Agency Eligibility:
- Are you currently working with one of the following social service agencies: DDS, Seven Hills, Luk Inc, or Arc of
- Opportunity? If yes contact your caseworker and ask about travel training.
- If no, are you a senior or have a disability? If so, come to MART’s Admin Facility at 1427R Water St. in Fitchburg to
- sign-up for a Statewide Access Pass, then we can refer you to GAAMHA.
- If you don’t fit any of the above categories, contact MART, at 978-345-7711 option 3, to find out how you can qualify.
- Perhaps you can find others like yourself, and MART can do a group training.
- The RCC is always looking for more advocacy groups/agencies to become trainers to reach a more diverse population. Contact Bonnie Mahoney at MART for more information.
How to Ride
- Flag the bus to stop at any safe location.
- Please arrive at your stop a few minutes ahead of time and have fare ready.
- Signal the driver by raising your arm as the bus approaches
- Once on board, listen for your stop; all published stops are called out.
- To signal the bus to stop, simply press the black strip or pull yellow chord beside a window as the bus approaches your stop.
Our Rules of the Road
- Please keep children safe and supervised during your trip.
- Only hand-carried parcels are permitted on the bus. Once on board, passengers are not permitted to get off the bus to retrieve any additional parcels.
- No bicycles are permitted in the bus.
For Disabled Riders
- All MART buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
- In the event a lift is not available to you because of an emergency or maintenance, your driver will notify MART, and a lift-equipped MART van will be sent to enable you to complete your journey.
- To qualify for discount fares and get a proper ID, please call 800-922-5636.
- The TDD number for deaf and hearing-impaired passengers is 800-789-0577.
- In Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner and Athol ADA service is available to those who are unable to use the regular bus. ADA service is also available in Lunenburg, Lancaster, Westminster, Phillipston, Templeton and Winchendon restricted to the ¾ mile boundary around the fixed bus route. To enroll, please call MART at 800-922-5636 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
No Smoking
No writing on seats or bus destruction
No eating or drinking
Keep arms, hands, and head in the bus
Reserve designated seats for passengers with disabilities
Please stay behind the yellow standee line
No playing of audio devices or sound equipment
Disruptive or combative riders, especially those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will be removed by security or the police
All strollers and carts must be folded before entering bus
Shirts and shoes must be worn
No littering
Service animals are allowed on buses
No cursing or disruptive behavior
Do not engage in unnecessary conversation with drivers
Do not cross in front of the bus when deboarding