CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 INFORMATION
CLICK HERE FOR HOLIDAY SERVICE CHANGES
Can I book online?
Yes! The Transit App offers a one-stop shop to track buses and buy tickets.
The app also allows you to opt-in for notifications. This will allow you to:
- Track your bus, as well as your walking speed, so you don’t miss your ride.
- Know when your bus is coming up so you don’t have to hustle at the last minute. (Notifications will turn off when you arrive at your destination.)
You can pay for your ride with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit card. Just use your phone to flashyour ticket when you board your bus.
Download Transit on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Finding safe and reliable transit couldn’t get any easier!
What is a transfer? How do I use it?
Transfers are issued at the time of boarding. The only exception is on Routes 10 and 11, where passengers can request one upon disembarking the bus. There are no transfers between Routes 10 and 11 or to the Route 29. Transfers are allowed to the Route 21. Transfers are valid for ONE hour after they are issued. Transfers are also issued with the use of a ride from a 20-ride pass.
I want to learn how to ride the bus. Is there someone that can help me?
We have a travel training program that can help you learn how to use the bus. This program is comprised of a group of volunteers who will take you out and teach you how to use the bus. You will also receive a free 31-day pass so you can learn how to use the bus on our dime. To schedule an appointment please call our main administrative line at (707) 259-8631.
A Clipper card is a regional fare card that is usable on all Bay Area transit systems. They can be purchased at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center for $3.00, or at select local Walgreens and WholeFoods stores. Once you have your card you can add cash value at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center, Walgreens, WholeFoods, or online. The easiest way to add value is to create an online account at clippercard.com. If you are 65 years of age or older you can receive a Clipper Card for free with proof of age at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center. Youth passes can be acquired in the same way. If you have a disability you can now apply for a Regional Transit Connection (RTC) discount card at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center. For more information about RTC, you can visit their website. Fares and fare media prices are adjusted to the appropriate fare category e.g. if you have a senior Clipper card you will only be charged the senior fare on all transit providers in the Bay Area.
Are there discounts on passes for social service agencies?
Unfortunately, no. Our passes are already deeply discounted. The true cost to ride the bus is actually about $8 per passenger. In order to receive funding we are also required by the State of California to recoup 15% of our operating costs through fares. With this being the case every dollar counts. We do, however, provide the opportunity to purchase passes in bulk. Please call (707) 259-8631 for more information on the process.
However, individuals can apply for the new means-based fare pilot program called Clipper START. Using a Clipper START card on Vine Transit will enable to rider to receive a 20% discount on their ride. For more information on how to apply and who qualifies for the program, visit www.clipperstartcard.com
What do the dashes (—) mean on the maps and schedules?
A dash under a timepoint means the bus does not serve that particular stop on that trip.
Can I park my bike at The Vine Transit facility?
Yes, but Vine Transit assumes no responsibility for bikes stolen or damaged. Bikes may only be parked in the bike rack or in a secure Bike Link electronic locker. If you need to leave your bike for more than a few hours or overnight, we strongly recommend locking your bike to a rack or renting a Bike Link locker for five cents ($0.05) per hour. These electronic lockers are available at the Soscol Gateway Transit Center (on the South end of the facility), Redwood Park and Ride, and Yountville Park and Ride with locker access using the Bike Link system. Information on how to use Bike Link is available at bikelink.org. Bike Link passes can be purchased at the Soscol Gateway Transit center for $20. To watch videos on how to use the lockers, click THIS LINK.
Why does the bus smell like exhaust fumes? Am I in danger?
The particulate matter emitted from our buses’ exhaust must meet very rigorous standards per the California Air Resource Board. Part of this includes subjecting particulate matter to extreme heat to reduce the amount emitted from the tailpipe. This process can sometimes lead to an increased smell of “fumes”. Most times we try to do this burn off when no passengers are aboard but there are cases where the bus’s computer will deem it necessary while in service. The smell, although unpleasant, is not harmful to passengers.
Why do I see empty buses on the road?
An empty or almost-empty bus may indicate a route with low ridership; often, however, you’re seeing the bus at either the beginning or the end of its run (that is, before gathering most of its passengers or after dropping most of them off). Even our most popular routes tend to see lower ridership before and after the peak commuting hours in the morning and evening.
Why are smaller buses not used for all The Vine routes?
We have a number of smaller buses for use where practicable. However, in our system, buses circulate among routes; after finishing a low-ridership route, a bus may immediately go on to serve one of our more popular routes. As far as expense is concerned, the cost of the fuel saved by using smaller vehicles is offset by our more rugged and reliable (and, therefore, less expensive to maintain) larger vehicles. Federal requirements mandate we keep a vehicle over 30 feet in service for 12 years and vehicles under 30 feet for 7 years. Larger vehicles provide a more cost effective option. They also allow for great flexibility when putting vehicles in service.
What happens if I lost or misplaced an item on the bus, transit center, or bus stop?
To view Vine Transit’s Lost & Found Policy, CLICK HERE.
If you lost an item, you can either:
- Call Vine Customer Service at (707) 251-2800 or 1-800-696-6443 and provide
- Your Name
- A detailed description of the item(s) lost
- Where you lost it (bus number, bus route, transit center, bus shelter, etc.
- When you lost it
- Fill out Vine Transit’s Lost & Found Form and e-mail the filled form to [email protected]. You can also mail the printed form to:
ATTN: Lost & Found
625 Burnell Street
Napa, CA 94558
What do I do if I see suspicious or criminal behavior on the bus or at a bus stop?
If it is criminal activity please call 911. The Vine does not have a police force nor have the ability to police illegal behavior. In partnership with The Vine local police and sheriff assist with all enforcement on Vine buses and at Vine bus stops. You can also inform the driver who may also contact the authorities. If you ever feel unsafe in any way at all, inform the driver right away.
Can I bring my electric bicycle with me?
It depends on the size of your electric bicycle. If it can go on the outside front bike rack, we can take it. The bike and/or battery cannot go inside the bus and you have to be able to lift the bicycle yourself.
The outside racks can accommodate large and heavily weighted commuter bikes, cruisers, and some electric bike models that fall below the per wheel tray weight requirements list below:
• The bicycle rack shall accommodate bicycles with wheel sizes from 20 inches to 29 inches, excluding tandems and recumbent bicycles
• The bicycle rack shall accommodate bicycles with a wheelbase dimension of up to 44 inches
• The bicycle rack shall accommodate tire widths up to 2.3 inches
• The bicycle rack shall accommodate bicycles less than 55 pounds
How can I receive up-to-date information about the bus?
If you are a frequent rider of one or more routes, you can sign up to receive alerts by text message. Alerts are sent out to notify riders of service alerts, trip cancellations, delays, etc. When signing up for the alerts, you can select which routes you would like to receive up-to-date information on. To sign up, click on THIS LINK.