The Macon Transit Authority, officially the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA), operates 11 fixed bus routes across Macon-Bibb County, Monday through Saturday, with every route passing through the Terminal Station at 200 Cherry Street in downtown Macon.1Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. MTA Services A standard one-way ride is $1.25, and the agency also runs a paratransit service, Macon Access, for riders whose disabilities prevent them from using the fixed routes.
Routes and the Downtown Hub
All 11 routes fan out from the Terminal Station and return to it, which makes downtown Macon the transfer point for the whole system.1Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. MTA Services The lines connect medical facilities, shopping centers, schools, and major employment areas across the county. If your origin and destination sit on different routes, plan on a stop at the Terminal Station in between. It’s a covered facility, so at least the wait is sheltered.
Route maps and individual timetables are posted at mbcta.net/routes, and the real-time GPS tracker at myride.mbcta.net shows where each bus is at any given moment.
Fares and How to Pay
A single ride on any fixed route is $1.25. If you need a second route to finish your trip, a one-ride-with-transfer pass is $1.75, cheaper than paying two full fares.2Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Fares Multi-ride bundles bring the per-ride cost down:
- 10 rides for $12.00
- 20 rides for $23.00
Children 12 and under ride free.2Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Fares
Reduced Fares
Seniors 62 and older pay $0.80 for a single ride between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., or $1.10 with a transfer. Senior bundles are $6.00 for 10 rides and $10.00 for 20. K-12 students pay $0.75 per ride, $1.25 with a transfer, or $12.50 for 20 rides.2Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Fares Honorably discharged veterans aged 65 and older who live in Bibb County ride at no cost.3Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. FAQs
Payment Methods
You can pay a few ways. Exact cash goes into the farebox when you board; drivers don’t carry change, so have the right amount ready.2Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Fares The Token Transit app lets you buy passes on your phone, activate them as the bus approaches, and even send a pass to someone else. You can also tap a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet on boarding.4Token Transit. Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority Reloadable smart cards are sold and reloaded at the Terminal Station.1Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. MTA Services
When the Buses Run
Fixed routes operate Monday through Saturday. There is no Sunday service. Weekday buses start around 5:20 a.m. and finish by 9:00 p.m., and Saturday service runs from roughly 5:20 a.m. until about 7:00 p.m.5Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. MyRide MBCTA First and last departures vary by route, so check the individual timetable for your line before you head to the stop.
The MTA shuts down entirely on major holidays, including Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Some holidays bring a modified schedule the day before, with the last runs ending earlier than usual.6Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Holiday Information New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day have historically followed the same no-service pattern. The MTA posts specific holiday notices on its website and app, so look there ahead of any holiday weekend.
Real-time bus locations show up on the tracker at myride.mbcta.net and in the MTA’s mobile app. Both give estimated arrivals at each stop, which is more reliable than the printed schedule once afternoon delays start.
Rules On Board
No eating, no smoking, and no open containers. Beverages are allowed only in spill-proof containers with sealed lids.7Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. MBCTA Rider Rules of Conduct Keep aisles clear, stay seated while the bus is moving, and signal the driver in time to pull over safely. Headphones are required if you’re using a phone or another device.
Every bus has a front-mounted bike rack, but bikes aren’t allowed inside the bus. You load and unload your own bike; drivers won’t assist. If the rack is full when the bus pulls up, you’ll have to wait for the next one.8Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. How to Ride Our Bus
Trained service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under ADA regulations and are not permitted, on either fixed-route buses or paratransit vehicles.9Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Paratransit Rider’s Handbook
Paratransit (Macon Access)
Macon Access provides door-to-door rides for people whose disabilities prevent them from using the fixed-route system. The service area covers everywhere within three-quarters of a mile of any fixed route, as required by the ADA.10Macon-Bibb County. MBC Accessibility Compliance Requirements
Paratransit fares are $2.50 one way, $5.00 round trip, $40.00 for a 20-ride bundle, and $60.00 for a 31-day unlimited pass.2Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Fares Daily riders will pay less with the monthly pass than by the trip.
To qualify, you submit a formal application that includes a Healthcare Verification Form completed by a licensed medical professional.10Macon-Bibb County. MBC Accessibility Compliance Requirements Once approved, book your ride at least 24 hours ahead by calling (478) 803-2521.9Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. Paratransit Rider’s Handbook
Wheelchair Accessibility on Fixed Routes
All fixed-route buses are ADA-compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts. Federal standards require those lifts to handle at least 600 pounds and accommodate a wheelchair measuring 30 by 48 inches; if a particular bus has a higher-rated lift, the operator must accommodate up to that limit. A transit agency may deny boarding only when the wheelchair is too large to fit safely or would block the aisle and interfere with emergency evacuation.11U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration. Questions and Answers Concerning Wheelchairs and Bus and Rail Service
Filing a Complaint
If you experience discrimination or an accessibility barrier, the MTA has a formal complaint process. Title VI complaints, which cover discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, must be filed within 30 days of the incident. Contact the MTA’s ADA and Title VI liaison, Mark Strozier, at (478) 621-7122 or mstrozier@mbcta.net for forms and help.12Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority. ADA and Title VI
ADA complaints that the MTA does not resolve can be escalated to the Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. The FTA focuses on patterns of repeated problems rather than one-time breakdowns, so a log with dates, times, and route numbers helps. Reach the FTA at FTA.ADAAssistance@dot.gov or 1-888-446-4511.13U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration. How Do I Submit a Complaint Regarding a Public Transit Agency’s Failure to Comply With Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations