Ride the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)
The Lowell Regional Transit Authority, or the LRTA, is the public transportation used in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts. All bus routes throughout the city resemble a crooked spider's web and wind up at the Kennedy Center, where a person can either transfer onto a different bus leading into another city or take the train towards or to Boston's North Station. Here is how to ride the LRTA.
Steps
- Wait for the bus at a designated bus stop. If you see the bus coming or you would rather wait somewhere more convenient, you may wait along the bus route. If you do so, you will need to wave to the bus driver, signaling that you want a bus ride.
- Pay the appropriate fee. If you are transferring buses at the Kennedy Center, you will need to ask for a transfer. See the Tips section for transfer rules.
- Pull on the rope when you are coming close to your destination. The driver will not necessarily stop at a bus stop, but somewhere along the route that is safe for you to get dropped off at and exit the bus.
Tips
- Get off at Kennedy Center.
- Take the Burlington Mall bus. Because it is outside of Lowell, give the bus driver the transfer and deposit 50 cents.
- Take the Pawtucketville bus to Kennedy Center. Pay $1 and ask for a transfer.
- There are no signals, signs, nor will the bus driver tell passengers where they are. It's best to have a map or know someone who lives in Lowell.
- Bus schedules can be picked up at the Kennedy Center, but for specific route information and times, go on the official website for the LRTA.
- All drivers carry a hole puncher. When you ask for a transfer, they will punch the day, what route they are, and the transfer "deadline" (or when it becomes invalid).
- You may only use transfers at the Kennedy Center. You also can not jump back on the same route and use the transfer for a continuous or round trip.
- If you want to transfer onto a bus that is going outside of Lowell, your admission on the second bus is 50 cents plus the transfer. If you don't have a transfer, the admission is $1.50 one way.
- This rule also applies within town lines. It's suggested to walk from Point A to Point B if each destination is close within town lines.
Scenario Example
A person traveling from UMass Lowell wanting to spend the day at Burlington Mall and back.
- On the way back, deposit $1.25 and ask for a transfer. At Kennedy Center, take the Pawtucketville bus. Give the bus driver the transfer and deposit 25 cents.
Warnings
- The LTRA stops service between 7 and 7:30 pm every night, depending on the route.
- There is no service on Sundays nor on state holidays. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, there is no bus service on Saturday nor Sunday and will resume the following Monday.
