Fixed Route buses do NOT Operate on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

The Anna Maria Island Trolley operates 365 days a year, including holidays.

The MCAT Administration and Sales and Information offices are closed:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

The answer is yes, and several methods are available to access this information:

1. For those with a Quick Response (QR) code reader, the passenger can use their QR code reader, to scan the bus stop’s discrete QR code. Once the QR code is scanned it will provide the arrival time for each bus servicing that stop to your mobile device.
2. Use the Manatee MyStop software application in combination with the bus stop ID number (this is provided at each bus stop). The application will then indicate the arrival time for each bus servicing that bus stop.
3. During normal business hours, passengers can also call the MCAT Rider Information Line at 941-749-7116 to ascertain the arrival of buses in real-time.

Secure pets in a cage/carrier that fits under your seat or on your lap. Service animals may accompany their owners as needed.

LOADING

MCAT’s Bikes on Buses program allows passengers to secure their bicycles onto a rack attached on the front of all MCAT buses. Up to two bikes can be carried on the rack at one time. The bikes must be 16 inches or larger, with a single seat and two wheels. Bike racks will not accommodate mopeds, motor bikes or bicycles built for two. Portable (folding) bicycles must also be secured on the rack. If the rack is full, the passenger may carry a folding bike inside the bus, provided room is available on the bus and it can be stowed without blocking the aisle. The bicycles cannot be locked to the rack. Articles left on the bikes in transport must be securely attached. Passengers must load, secure and unload their own bike. Bus operators will be required to observe the passenger has properly secured the bike on the rack. If the bike is the last to be removed from the rack, remind the passenger to return the rack to the closed/secured position. Operators are required to keep a daily count of bikes using the designated farebox key. All lost and found bikes are brought back to the bus yard.

UNLOADING

Notify the bus operator you are going to remove your bike and exit through the front door of the bus. From the curb side, remove the bike by releasing the support arm from the front tire, then lift the bike out of the rack. Return the rack to its upright position.

BATTERY POWERED DEVICES

Passengers are permitted to place electric bicycles with sealed gel, lithium Ion, or NiCad batteries in the bike rack as long as they fit safely in the bike rack and have standard tires. Must also meet the bicycle requirements listed above. Passengers are permitted to carry on the bus electric scooters and boards with sealed gel, lithium Ion, or NiCad batteries as long as they can be folded, fit under your seat or on your lap.

ADA VISITOR PROCESS

1. Visitors who are eligible for ADA paratransit service in jurisdictions where they reside and have documentation regarding their eligibility may use the MCAT ADA paratransit service during their visit to Manatee County for up to twenty-one (21) days during any three hundred sixty-five (365)-day period. Visitors who have not been certified eligible by another transit provider and who make the statement they’re unable to use fixed route transit will have presumptive eligibility. They will be required to provide documentation of their place of residence and (if the visitor's disability is not apparent), disability documentation (signed by a doctor or licensed medical professional) prior to the first day of service and may also be provided ADA paratransit service for up to twenty-one (21) days during any three hundred sixty-five (365)-day period. Visitors needing more than twenty-one (21) days of service will be required to apply for MCAT eligibility certification by following the application process described above.


2. Upon receipt of the required documentation as described, Manatee County Area Transit will enter the necessary information into the database to permit visitors to book requested trips. This process can be completed as early as same day or no more than one day late. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) envisions this as a process of eligible service.

ACCESS THE REAL-TIME TRIP PLANNER

These are the steps for accessing the MCAT real-time bus information:

1. Download the software application on your mobile device. The Manatee MyStop software application can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
2. Identify the specific bus stop (or station) where you board your MCAT bus.
3. Establish a service text alert or email notification for bus arrivals at a boarding location, and the preferred timeframe for advance notification. For instance, if it takes 10 minutes to travel to your bus stop or transit station, you may want the notification alert 15 or 20 minutes in advance of the arrival time for your bus, so that you have plenty of time to travel to your boarding location.

Other ways to view real-time information while at a MCAT bus stop:

1. For those with a Quick Response (QR) code reader, the passenger can use their QR code reader, to scan the bus stop’s discrete QR code. Once the QR code is scanned it will provide the arrival time for each bus servicing that stop to your mobile device.
2. Use the Manatee MyStop software application in combination with the bus stop ID number (this is provided at each bus stop). The application will then indicate the arrival time for each bus servicing that bus stop.
3. During normal business hours, passengers can also call the MCAT Rider Information Line at 941-749-7116 to ascertain the arrival of buses in real-time.

APPEAL PROCEDURES

Any individual receiving a trespass order or directed to leave an MCAT bus or a bus stop area may, within three (3) business days following the trespass order or direction to leave, file a written appeal with the Transit Division Manager. The appeal must state why the trespass order or direction to leave was not in accordance with this policy. Once an appeal is received, a hearing will be scheduled within two business days and conducted within a reasonable timeframe. At the hearing, the individual may present his/her testimony and evidence supporting the appeal and the Transit Division may also provide testimony and evidence regarding the appeal.

After the hearing, the Transit Division Manager or his/her designee will provide a written response to the individual, granting or denying the appeal with explanation. The individual may dispute the determination of the Transit Division Manager or his designee by requesting a meeting with the Manatee County Public Works Department Director. The Director shall make a final determination which shall be communicated to the Transit Division and the individual making the appeal.

Transit Division Manager
2411 Tallevast Road
Sarasota, FL 34243

 

TIPS FOR RIDERS

• Arrive 10 minutes prior to the schedule time
• Ensure the driver can see you at the bus stop
• Have exact case fare, bus pass or mobile ticket ready before boarding
• Let the operator know if you require additional assistance

CONSEJOS PARA PASAJEROS

• Llegue 10 minutos antes de la hora programada
• Asegurese de que el conductor pueda verlo en la parada del autobus
• Tenga lista su tarifa en efectivo exacto, pase para el bus, o bolete en su movil, antes de abordar
• Infome al operador si necesita asistencia adicional

BOARDING THE BUS

Buses make scheduled stops only at designated bus stops. As a bus approaches the stop, stand next to the bus stop sign. Ensure the driver sees you by waving to the driver, signaling your intention to board the bus.

If you are unsure about the bus’ destination, ask the driver before you board.

Have exact fare or an MCard bus pass ready when you board. Only U.S. coins and currency are accepted, and drivers do not carry change. If you do not have exact change, a change card will be issued to use on your next trip.

You may need to take more than one bus to reach your destination… For this, you may purchase a Day Pass from the operator which will allow you to travel on any bus within the MCAT system for 24 hours. Other passes are available from our Customer Service Centers.

NOTE: Do not fold, roll, tear, alter, mutilate or get the pass wet. If the pass is destroyed or rendered inoperable by the rider, the pass becomes void and a new paid fare will be required to continue traveling. MCAT drivers are not authorized to allow a customer to ride if the pass cannot be read by the fare box.

If you are visually impaired, or need help identifying your stop please inform the driver as you enter the bus, so the driver may announce your stop and ensure your exit at the proper time. It is helpful to sit toward the front of the bus if you need assistance.

These are the steps for accessing the MCAT real-time bus information:

1. Download the software application on your mobile device. The Manatee MyStop software application can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
2. Identify the specific bus stop (or station) where you board your MCAT bus.
3. Establish a service text alert or email notification for bus arrivals at a boarding location, and the preferred timeframe for advance notification. For instance, if it takes 10 minutes to travel to your bus stop or transit station, you may want the notification alert 15 or 20 minutes in advance of the arrival time for your bus, so that you have plenty of time to travel to your boarding location.

Passengers can now utilize their smartphone personal device to:

1. Purchase their fare and use their smartphone as their fare media.
2. Use their smartphone to receive advance text alerts providing, the arrival time for their bus in real-time.
3. The smartphone device then becomes the device that serves as fare media and real-time alerts for the passenger’s MCAT bus arrival time.

Moving forward, both MCAT Mobile Ticketing and Real-time Bus Information are available on a shared software platform to make customer access as convenient as possible.

 

The new onboard technology includes an infotainment system that alerts passengers to the next three bus stops along the route, so that passengers are informed as to their upcoming destination bus stop, including the arrival time at their stop. This information is visually displayed, and an automated system provides audible stop announcements as well.  This new system also provides important information about points of interest along each bus route including libraries, hospitals, shopping destinations, business complexes, etc.

The two critical elements for real-time bus information are accurate location coordinates for each bus stop in the transit system, and accurate route schedule information for MCAT bus and trolley routes. Combining these two elements, the AVL system tracks buses along their routes, and when a route falls behind and is running late, the real-time software system calculates a predictive arrival time for each bus stop along the route.

If the route is on schedule, the real-time software system provides the arrival time as indicated in the route schedule. Since not every stop is identified on the printed route schedules, passengers benefit from knowing the real-time bus arrival for their specific bus stops.

Local police will be contacted under the following circumstances:

• Engaging in suspected illegal activities
• Willfully destroying or damaging MCAT or other property
• Engaging in fighting or threatening violence in buses, bus stops or MCAT facilities

Passengers who do not follow these rules may be asked to leave the bus or bus stop area. Refusal to leave the bus or bus stop area may result in an arrest for trespassing pursuant to Florida Statute 810.08.

All MCAT vehicles and facilities are monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Eligibility for American's With Disabilities Act (ADA) service on the MCAT Handy Bus is based on the following:

1. An individual's functional ability to use the MCAT fixed route bus system. Applicants must prove that because of a physical or mental/cognitive impairment, they are unable to independently use the MCAT fixed route bus system. These impairments can be permanent, temporary or conditional under certain circumstances.

2. A visitor to Manatee County who can provide documentation of their ADA eligibility in another jurisdiction can also be eligible to use the ADA Handy Bus.

3. ADA Paratransit Handy Bus trips are only available during the same days, hours, and service area locations as the MCAT fixed route bus system. Origin and destination of trips must be within the ADA Complementary Paratransit Service Corridor. The ADA Complementary Paratransit Service Corridor extends three-quarters (3/4) of a mile on either side of an active MCAT fixed bus route.

Please call MCAT at (941) 747-8621, ext. 3567 for an ADA paratransit service application. This application may also be downloaded here: Manatee County ADA Application

Eligibility for Transportation Disadvantaged services from MCAT Handy Bus is based on one of the following three (3) criteria:

a) An individual’s functional ability to use the MCAT fixed route bus system. Applicant's must provide that because of a physical or mental/cognitive impairment, they are unable to independently use the MCAT fixed route bus system. These impairments can be permanent, temporary, or conditional under certain circumstances, and must be verified by an authorize medical professional.

b) Applicant's annual gross household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as defined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.) Income verification is required for all family members residing in the household.

Accepted Proof of Income is as follows:

1) First page of your tax return.
2)DCF Cash Benefit/Child Support Letter.
3)Minimum of two most recent pay stubs.
4)Unemployment Compensation Income Verification
5) Retirement/Pension Statement (includes VA)
6) Social Security Income Verification or Proof of Income Letter (includes SSI and SSDI).

c) Applicant's age (>60) prevents them from accessing available transportation service.

The Transit Development Plan, or TDP, is a 10-year needs-based evaluation required by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to qualify for state Public Transit Block Grant Program (PTBG) funding. Development of the plan requires technical analyses as well as a broad public outreach process. It represents MCAT’s vision for public transportation growth and advancement in the future. The development of the TDP includes a review of planning and policy documents and documentation of study area conditions, demographic characteristics and current transit services as well as the creation of a financial plan and incorporation of public input.

The purpose of the Transit Development Plan is to provide a transit agency, like MCAT, with a plan for service operations and capital facilities in the next ten-year period.

Handy Bus services that are funded by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (FCTD) have separate eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements include: Per Florida Statute 421.011, Transportation Disadvantaged individuals are those, who because of a physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation are, therefore dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education or other life-sustaining activities; or are children who are handicapped or high-risk or at-risk as defined in F.S. 411.202.

Manatee County Area Transit is currently reviewing options to extend bus service to underserved areas, including Lakewood Ranch and Parrish. While these destinations are recommended service improvements included in the 10-year transit plan, from 2024 through 2033, there is no set time for when these routes will become available. 

View the 10 Year Transit Development Plan 2024-2033

Each MCAT bus route has a route schedule with pre-defined arrival and departure times. However,  bus arrival/departure times vary day-to-day depending upon weather, traffic conditions, and construction detours. The main passenger complaints are “their bus did not arrive as scheduled.”   The real-time bus arrival information system allows MCAT passengers to make informed decisions in real-time on any given day, as to when to arrive at their boarding location, and thereby enhance their bus ride experience.

The TDP provides direction for transit improvements in Manatee County and reflects priorities for public transportation identified by the community. In addition, The State of Florida Public Transit Block Grant (PTBG) Program was enacted by the Florida Legislature to provide a stable source of funding for public transit. As a recipient of PTBG funding, Manatee County is required to prepare a major TDP update every five years, with annual minor updates and monitoring in the interim years.