Transit

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COME RIDE WITH US!2023 Safety Awards
294 Fairground Road
Spindale, NC 28160
828.287.6339 (Main Number/Dispatch)
828.287.6141 (Appointment Line)
800.735.2962 (Hearing Impaired)
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Click Here to contact Transit Staff


Deviated Fixed Route Transportation
This route is FARE FREE to riders.  There is a $1.00 charge for all deviations.
Transit's Deviated Fixed route known as the Tri-City Xpress operates two (2) buses on a set schedule.  One bus operates on the Forest City/Spindale (Blue Loop) and the second bus operates on the Rutherfordton/Spindale (Green Loop).  The creation of two (2) loops has reduced the ride time for our passengers.  The two (2) buses meet at Walmart (Pharmacy Entrance) at the same time to allow passengers to transfer from one bus to the other if needed or to exit the bus.  Both buses have set stops at some locations but at different times.  The routes run Monday-Friday from 7:40 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The set time and locations can be viewed below.  Deviations are allowed up to 1/2 mile from the set bus routes at a charge of $1.00 per deviation.  Stops may be made along the set routes as long as it is a safe location to stop.  For driver and passenger safety, deviations will not be approved that require the bus to make a backing maneuver.  Please call 828-287-6339 by 4:00 p.m. to request a deviation for the following day.
For the Hearing Impairment Help Line call 800-735-2962.

Expanded Service Map
TriCity Xpress New Hours - Copy

 GENERAL INFORMATION:
John Massey.jpg - Copy (2)Rutherford County Transit was established in 1990 and is a self-funded department within Rutherford County Government. Transit provides services to the following individuals:

  1. Medicaid Transportation
  2. Individuals over age 60
  3. Disabled individuals
  4. General Public (fixed route only)

Please see information below on how to qualify for transportation services. Individuals interested in making an appointment can call the Transit appointment line at 287-6141 during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.

Scheduled routes will run Monday thru Friday between 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM except New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Day and the working day before and after Christmas. Transit Brochure

PASSENGER RULES AND PROCEDURES
Passenger Rules and Procedures are listed below. If an individual is a NO SHOW three times within a three month period, they will be suspended from riding Transit for one month. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance or by 6:30 AM on the day of their appointment. Also, all passengers must be ready 90 minutes prior to their appointment time for Transit to pick them up. (Passengers with out-of-county medical trips will be notified of their specific pick up time).Mission Vision Values

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Except for assist animals, pets will not be permitted
  • Smoking, eating, drinking and weapons are not allowed
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times

Passenger Rules and Procedures

MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION
Bill driving webIn order to qualify to ride Rutherford County Transit, passengers must be approved for Medicaid Transportation through the Department of Social Services at 287-4022. Once approved through DSS, appointments can be made through the Transit Appointment Line at 828.287.6141 or through a Medicaid Managed Care Broker. If an attendant is required, a Medical Necessity Verification Form must be filled out. The form is below.

Medical Necessity Verification Form

ELDERLY AND DISABLED TRANSPORTATION
Transit has grant funds available to transport individuals over the age of 60 or who have a disability. An application must be filled out (see below) and if they are disabled, a doctor must sign the application. Currently, applicants are allowed four trips per month for free under this service. The number of trips per month is subject to change based on program funding.  Grant funds, if available through NCDOT, are available on an annual basis from July 1 - June 30. 

Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program Application


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EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION
Transit has grant funds available to transport individuals to work for free.  An application must be filled out (see below) and signed by an employer.  Grant funds, if available through NCDOT, are available on an annual basis from July 1 - June 30.

Employment Transportation Assistance Program Application

OUT-OF-COUNTY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION
Due to rising fuel prices, Rutherford County Transit will require all out-of-town medical visits be made between 9:00 am -12:00 pm. Transit will also be going to the cities listed below only on the following days:

  • Shelby: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 
  • Asheville/Hendersonville: Monday and Thursday 
  • Columbus: Monday
  • Charlotte: Tuesday and Wednesday 
  • Gastonia: Tuesday and Wednesday 
  • Mooresville: Tuesday 
  • Kings Mountain: Wednesday 
  • Spartanburg: Thursday 
  • Hickory/Morganton: Monday 
  • Winston-Salem: Tuesday 
  • Durham/Chapel Hill: Thursday

It is imperative that passengers inform Transit if anyone will be traveling with them. There are a limited number of seats available on each van. Additional passengers must be approved for medical reasons.  

 TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
Quarterly Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of the month (February, May, August and November). Location: Transit Office @ 294 Fairground Road, Spindale, NC 28160.  Time: 1:00 pm.

These meetings are open to the public and public comments will be allowed at the start of each meeting. Public comments are limited to three minutes per person.  Contact information for any member of the Transit Advisory Board is available upon request.  Please direct questions to the Director, Kerry Giles at kerry.giles@rutherfordcountync.gov or at 828.288.4505.

TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS:2014.01.06.NCDOTPublicTransitConf_-561

  • John Jarrett - Rutherford Life Services (disabled individuals)
  • Suzanne Porter - United Way (general public, community agency)
  • Clark Poole - Chamber of Commerce (economic development)
  • Tammy Aldridge - Rutherford County Senior Center (elderly and disabled indviduals)
  • Susan Hall - Rutherford County Veteran Services (veterans, elderly/disabled individuals)
  • Kandi Bridges - Rutherford County DSS (Medicaid transportation)
  • Alan Toney II - Foothills Regional Commission (economic development, rural planning)
  • Frankie Hamrick- Rutherford County Fire Marshall
  • Diane Dickerson- Isothermal Community College
  • Jill Miracle - RHI Legacy Foundation
  • Cedric Banks - ICC student

 
COME WORK FOR TRANSIT
front entrance 10.30.23All safety sensitive positions will be subject to a pre-employment drug test, as well as, ongoing random drug and alcohol tests while employed at Rutherford County Transit.

Main Employment Application

Rutherford County Transit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the award and performance of FTA assisted contracts.  Click link below for a list of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)  https://www.ebs.nc.gov/VendorDirectory/search/html