Go West Transit

Bus with line of riders

Rider Policies

  • The bus will stop at designated stops. Please do not ask the driver to stop at a location which is not designated.
  • The driver will not stop if there are no visible passengers at the bus stop and there is no request to exit.
  • The rear door of the bus is exit only.
  • At peak times, fill back seating first all the way to the front; then, use standing room from the back to the front.
  • During peak times, passengers should try to make as much standing room as possible so that the buses can carry as many passengers as possible.
  • During peak times and inclement weather, the buses occasionally get full. When a bus is full and there is no passenger wanting to get off at the next stop, the bus will not stop for waiting passengers.
  • No one is permitted to ride in front of the yellow line at the front of the bus. This is a violation of state law. Once the bus is full, the driver will ask for anyone in front of the yellow line to step off the bus.
  • Press stop request bar (yellow strips throughout the bus) or pull yellow stop request cord (located along sides of bus) just prior to the stop at which you wish to exit the bus. A polite verbal request is also acceptable.
  • On timed routes, drivers will wait at most time points until the route is scheduled to continue.
  • Times listed on the schedule are time points. Locate your stop between the two appropriate time points, and be at the stop early.  The bus will continue to all designated locations marked on the map. Passengers should plan to be at the stop five minutes early to offset any variances.
  • On non-timed routes, drivers may wait at specified locations until that routes spacing is established.
  • The restricted access gate on North Charles St. is for the use of the transit system only. Unauthorized use of this gate or tampering with the gate mechanism is a crime. A reward will be offered to anyone who can provide information leading to the apprehension of anyone who tampers with the gate. Forcing your vehicle through the gate could result in major damage to your vehicle.
  • Smoking is not permitted on the bus; this includes any item that resembles any smoking device.
  • Carrying of open alcohol containers, illegal drugs / substances, or any legal or illegal weapon is not permitted.
  • Electronic devices that generate sound must be kept to a minimum while riding the bus. Headsets, earbuds, and other electronic equipment, that do not interfere with other riders or the safety of the bus, are permitted.
  • Go West reserves the right to ask any passenger to turn his or her electronic equipment off for the safety or comfort of other riders.
  • Please keep all hands inside the bus. Windows may be open in warmer weather.
  • Passengers that do not follow the driver's directions are subject to removal from the bus. Police will be contacted and will meet the bus for those passengers who are unruly, disturbing the peace, or threatening the safety of other riders.
  • The bus is equipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and cleaning tools. If there is a need for the use of any of these items, please notify the driver.
  • If a wheelchair passenger desires to use the bus, the passengers seated in the wheelchair seats must relinquish their seats so that the wheelchair passenger may safely ride in the wheelchair station.
  • All wheelchairs and power scooters must be tied down by a 4-point securement.
  • Priority Seating is for customers with disabilities, seniors, or strollers, in that order.
  • Passengers with Strollers may request and use Ramps to assist in accessing the bus, for those buses equipped with Ramps.  However, if the bus is instead equipped with a Lift, the child must be removed and the stroller folded up before boarding or exiting, if done via the lift.
  • Strollers may not be in the isle while the bus is moving.  

GO WEST   and

MCDONOUGH COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

REQUIRES FACIAL COVERINGS

FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT CUSTOMERS

  • MACOMB, ILLINOIS…Beginning August 21, 2020, all riders of public transportation over
    age 2 will be required to wear facial coverings while on the (GO WEST)  vehicles.
    • This new policy includes Go West Transit buses and Demand
      Response vehicles.
  • All riders must comply with this policy unless they have a valid medical reason.
    • If wearing a facial covering would be difficult or harmful, an individual should not do so.
      • Examples would be someone who has a physical disability that makes it difficult to easily wear or remove a facial
        covering, or someone who has been advised by a medical professional to not wear one. 
        • In these cases, Go West drivers may need to implement social distancing where only ten riders can be on
          the bus until all passengers have facial coverings.
        • If during the route the bus reaches it social distancing capacity, the marquee on the bus will display “At Capacity” and dispatch is then notified of any skipped stops with passengers.
        • Once the bus is below its social distancing capacity, or all passengers are wearing facial coverings, the driver will then resume picking up passengers.
    • It is not always apparent who has a facial covering exception. MCPT asks riders to
      avoid policing other passengers who are not wearing a facial covering.
  • A facial covering is considered to be a commercial or homemade mask, bandana, or a scarf
    which covers from above the nose down to the lower part of the face at or below the chin. The
    U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has numerous online videos that instruct
    how to make an appropriate facial covering.
    • The new policy is consistent with the CDC
      recommendations and requirements issued by the State of Illinois in regard to asking people to
      wear a facial covering over their noses and mouths when in a public setting where social
      distancing is not always possible.
  • The facial covering requirement is the latest example of MCPT’s commitment to provide a safe environment for our drivers and customers.
  • Other precautions already in place include:
    •  Buses are boarding from the rear entrance, when possible
    •  Visual aids are on the buses to assist in social distancing
    •  Buses are disinfected between route runs (approximately every 2.5 hours)
    •  Demand Response vehicles are cleaned between passengers
    •  All vehicles are deep cleaned at the end of the day
    •  Temperatures are taken for all transit vehicle operators at the beginning of each shift
    •  All vehicles are equipped with hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and gloves
    •  All operators are required to wear facial coverings and have been provided gloves when loading and unloading an individual that requires hands on assistance, i.e., securing a wheelchair.
  • It is everyone’s responsibility to follow public health guidance and slow the spread of COVID-
    19. We need to be accountable to each other, the vulnerable community members, and to our
    essential workers, which include the public transit drivers. MCPT thanks the community in
    advance for the cooperation in following the new facial covering policy. As the CDC or state
    mandates change, the Go West policies will be updated as needed.
  • The Go West program provides mass transit options to the residents of McDonough County,
    including fixed-route service through Go West Transit and scheduled demand response service.
    The City of Macomb and Western Illinois University (Go West Transit) have partnered since
    1999 to provide fare-free, fixed-route transportation to the WIU campus and Macomb
    community. Door-to-door pickup for seniors, the disabled, and others is available by reservation
    for a limited fare through MCPT’s demand response service. For more information about
    MCPT, call (309) 837-7433 or visit 837ride.com.