Riding the Bus


Trip Tips & General Valley Metro Etiquette

Valley Metro bus operators love safety-conscious, responsible riders. Gear up before you get carried away with some helpful trip tips.

Do’s & Don’ts

  • Be prepared. Please have exact cash fare or your Valley Metro tickets in hand before boarding and place it in the fare box before finding a seat.
  • Please do no eat or drink on the bus.
  • Valley Metro is a smoke-free environment. There is no smoking on the bus or in Third Street Station. This includes vaping or carrying lit cigarettes, pipes, matches, or lighters.
  • No spitting.
  • Please be respectful of others. Disturbing passengers or bus operators by engaging in loud, unruly behavior is not permitted. This includes unwanted touching of individuals, use of foul language, verbal, racial or sexual harassment.
  • Help keep Valley Metro clean. Please dispose of trash in designated receptacles before boarding the bus.
  • When listening to music or videos, please use earphones with the volume set at levels that do not disturb fellow passengers.
  • Report vandalism. Defacing Valley Metro bus property is strictly forbidden by law.
  • Please keep personal belongings on your lap or at your feet. Blocking aisles is not permitted.
  • Respect fire safety. Flammable liquid, explosives, acid or other harmful materials are not permitted onboard.
  • Service animals trained to assist persons with disabilities are welcome.
  • A responsible person must accompany children under the age of eight (seven and younger). A responsible person is defined as one who can directly control and supervise the child.

How It Works

Most bus routes meet at a centralized transfer point in downtown Roanoke (the exceptions are routes 91 and 92). The Third Street Station is Valley Metro’s Transportation and Information Center. You may purchase weekly or monthly passes in Third Street Station, which is located at 325 Salem Avenue, SW or dial 982-2222 for schedule and route information. Valley Metro buses run at one-hour intervals throughout the day. You can catch the bus at the Third Street Station, or at any of the Valley Metro bus stop signs located about every two blocks along each route. Refer to the map and time schedule or call the Information Center to find out when the next bus will be coming nearest your location.

While You Wait

  1. Our goal is to be on time. Arriving at your bus stop no later than 5 minutes before your bus is scheduled for pick up, helps insure you will not miss your bus.
  2. Make sure the bus route number you want is listed on the sign located on the top front of the bus.
  3. Please stay on the sidewalk while waiting for the bus. Under no circumstances should you wait in the street as your bus approaches.
  4. Please be patient. Operators will open bus doors once the bus has come to a complete stop.

As You Board

  1. Please wait until exiting passengers have stepped off the bus before boarding.
  2. Take care while boarding by using handrails for assistance. Bus steps and sidewalks may be slippery due to rain or snow.
  3. Please have exact cash fare or your Valley Metro ticket in hand before boarding

Take A Seat

  1. Please do not hesitate in locating a seat.
  2. Standing on in the yellow-marked area at the front of the bus or at the back door is prohibited.
  3. Please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.

Reached Your Destination

  1. About one block before your destination, signal the operator that you want to get off the bus by pulling the bell cord once.
  2. Please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.

As You Exit

  1. Please check your belongings and the seat around you once the bus has come to a complete stop. Valley Metro is not responsible for any items or articles left on the bus.
  2. Take extra precaution while exiting by using the handrails for assistance.
  3. Please do not step between the bus and the curb when exiting the bus.
  4. To avoid injury, step away from the bus and never cross the street in front of the bus.

Transferring to Another Bus Route

  1. Free transfer slips are available for passengers who need to take more than one bus route to reach their destination. Ask the operator on your first bus for the transfer slip when you pay your fare.
  2. The transfer slip is good for 30 minutes after the time your first bus reaches the end of its route. This transfer slip is only valid at our Third Street Station transfer center, or at a connecting end-of-the bus line.