What Is a Circulator Bus?

A circulator bus follows an established route, often a loop, taking riders to downtown attractions, shopping areas, transportation hubs and points of interest. In some cities, there is only one circulator bus route, while other cities, such as Washington, DC, offer several circulator routes. City or county transportation departments typically oversee circulator bus programs.

Circulator buses can be found in some large and medium-sized US cities. Circulators are popular with tourists and locals, and city and county transportation planners start up additional circulator bus programs each year.

What Do I Need to Know About Riding a Circulator Bus?

Fares

Cities run circulator buses to reduce congestion on downtown streets and provide an easy way for locals and tourists to get to the places they want to visit.

Some cities charge riders who use circulator buses. Fares offset the cost of operating the buses, printing schedules, paying drivers and constructing bus stops and shelters. Other cities have found funding sources, such as parking revenues, for their circulator bus programs, and do not charge passengers to ride the circulator.

Expect to pay with exact change. In some cities, you can use a reloadable transit fare card, such as Washington, DC's SmarTrip card, to pay your fare.

Wheelchair / Scooter Access

In the US, new public transit buses used on fixed routes must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In practice, this means that nearly all circulator buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, ramps and / or low floors. Wheelchair and scooter users should have little difficulty riding circulator buses. For the most up-to-date information on accessibility, consult the circulator bus operator's website.

Strollers

If you happen to be traveling with a young grandchild, you'll want to take a look at the circulator bus operator's stroller policy. Some circulator bus operators will not permit large strollers to be brought onto the bus. Others require you to fold and stow the stroller if the bus becomes crowded.

Route Maps and Schedules

You can print out circulator bus route maps and schedules from the operator's website, or pick up paper copies on the bus or at a local visitor center.

Typically, circulator buses run every 10 or 15 minutes, so you won't have to wait very long at the bus stop unless there is some sort of disruption, such as heavy traffic or a storm.

Route Changes

On occasion, circulator bus operators will change routes or hours of operation. These changes could be due to a special event, a holiday, road construction, bus maintenance issues or weather problems. Before you leave your hotel room for the day, check the circulator bus website for last-minute updates.

Circulator Apps

Some circulator operators have created apps so that passengers can track bus arrival times and monitor route information with their smartphones.

Where Can I Find Circulator Buses and Trolleys?

In the US, you'll find circulator buses in large cities, such as Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Columbus, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. Smaller cities, such as Annapolis, Maryland, and Perris, California, also operate circulator buses or trolleys in order to relieve traffic congestion and street parking shortages in downtown areas.

Cities planning to add circulator bus routes to their public transit systems include Denver, Colorado; SouthShore Tampa Bay, Florida and Indianapolis, Indiana.