Frequently Asked Questions
We
hope you will find the answers to your questions on this
page or on our website. If not, please contact
us by email at sarah@northnatomastma.org or
by phone at 916-419-9955.
What is the Flyer?
The Flyer is a community shuttle service provided by the North Natomas
TMA to give residents and employees more options for traveling from, to, or
around our community.
Who can ride the Flyer?
The Commuter
Service is only available to registered Commuter
Club members –Commuter Club membership
is available to all North Natomas residents and employees
of North Natomas businesses.
Can I bring food and drink on the Flyer?
Drinks are allowed in lidded containers. Commuters may bring snacks
as long as they do not leave crumbs, grease or trash on the shuttle.
Are passengers allowed to stand while riding the shuttle?
Only if there are no available seats – for
safety reasons, we prefer riders to be seated, and
we do ask all seated riders to wear a seat belt. Please
remain seated until the shuttle comes to a complete
stop.
Is the Flyer available for passengers with disabilities?
Our shuttle buses and vans are ADA equipped,
and our drivers are employed by Paratransit, Inc. and
are well trained to assist passengers with disabilities.
How much does it cost to ride the Flyer?
A lot less than it costs to drive alone! The Commuter
Service is only $1 per ride. Check out our Cost
of Driving Calculator to find out how much
money you would save.
Will you drive my child to school?
Sorry, but our drivers are not licensed to transport children to school.
If I am running a little late, will the driver wait for me?
No,
the driver
has to maintain
the schedule
and get others
to their destination
in a timely
manner.
What if I have left something on the shuttle?
Although we cannot be responsible for any personal belongings,
we will make an effort to return left items to their
owners. As
soon as possible, call the Ride Reservation Line at 916-429-2667
to report the missing item.
How is the shuttle funded?
The Flyer is funded through user fees, corporate sponsorships,
grants, City of Sacramento developer impact fees, and
the North Natomas TMA.
Does the Commuter Service shuttle run in my neighborhood?
The Commuter Service currently operates in many neighborhoods in North
Natomas. Click here for our current route
maps.
What if the shuttle doesn’t come near my house or arrive downtown
at the right time for my schedule?
Consider joining or starting a vanpool. For
just a little more money, you can have more convenience and save time. Vanpool
riders control their own routes and timetables – contact the
TMA for more information.
Is there a park and ride lot for the Commuter Service?
There is no park and ride service available for the shuttle. Service
is available for North Natomas residents who can walk or ride a bike to meet
the shuttle. Please do not park in the residential neighborhoods to ride the
shuttle.
How do I ride?
Riders may flag the shuttle at any safe location
along the route in North Natomas - time points are
given on the schedule to help you predict when the
shuttle will pass your street. Hail the shuttle when
you see it approach, and wait in a location that allows
the driver to safely pull over to the right to pick
you up. Group stops are preferred if there are
riders nearby.
The Flyer has several shuttle stops downtown.
Riders may not flag the shuttle downtown, but must meet
the shuttle at a designated stop.
How do I pay?
You may the driver in cash (exact change only please)
or you may purchase tickets in advance through the TMA.
You can pay by check with our mail-in form or by credit
card with our online form. Tickets are available in books
of 10 – you can buy several books at once, but we don’t
encourage stockpiling as the tickets have an expiration
date. Expired shuttle tickets may be exchanged for new
tickets up to one month after the expiration date, limited
to 40 tickets per rider per expiration period. There
will be no cash refund for unused tickets.
What is a time point?
The commuter route map and timetable show several time points along
the route. These time points are estimates and will help you know your time
to wait at your chosen flag stop. If the shuttle is running early, it will
wait at a time point until the scheduled time.
What happens if I ride the shuttle to work and I need to get home for
an emergency or due to illness?
The North Natomas TMA offers an Emergency
Ride Home for all Commuter
Club commuters who use a commute alternative (Flyer, RT, bike, walk, carpool
or vanpool).
Do I need to show my SMART Card?
Yes, we do require all riders to carry and
show a current SMART Card ID card each day they ride
the shuttle. Remember, your regular driver
may be out, and the other driver will need your ID card to let you board. Just
keep it handy and show it whenever you are asked.
Can I bring a guest on the Flyer Commuter Service?
Sorry, our service is limited to North Natomas Commuter
Club members only. Your houseguests will
need to find other transportation.
My North Natomas neighborhood isn't on any of the commuter routes. What
are my options?
If you do not live within walking distance of any of the commuter routes,
you may want to:
- Check out the RT schedule (www.sacrt.com)
- Seek a carpool partner by speaking to your neighbors,
your co-workers, or by visiting www.sacregion511.org
- Consider walking if the distance is short enough
- Try commuting by bike: many who do enjoy it so much
they say they would never want to commute by car again. Find
a bike buddy for more enjoyment.
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