Essential Information for Your Travel.
Welcome to your comprehensive guide for riding with SEAT Bus. This one-page resource is designed to answer your most important questions, covering everything from riding procedures to safety guidelines and what to do if you have lost an item. We are committed to making your trip safe, comfortable, and easy every time you step aboard.
How to Ride with SEAT.
Getting Ready to Ride
Arrive Early & Be Visible:
Be at your stop a few minutes before the bus arrives. At night, stand in a well-lit area for visibility.
Check Your Route:
Verify your bus stop and the bus number and destination on the front of the bus. Stand on the door side of the curb and signal clearly to board.
Be Prepared:
Have your fare or pass ready. Exact change is preferred. If your pass cannot be electronically or visually validated, you will have to use another form of payment.
Board Safely:
Stay back from the curb until the bus stops. Use handrails when boarding. Avoid standing between vehicles, behind poles or trees, or too close to intersections (keep at least 80 feet away whenever possible).
On The Bus: Courtesy and Safety
Priority Seating:
Save front seats for seniors and customers with disabilities. Give them up when needed.
Keep It Clean:
Use trash cans for litter and keep feet off the seats.
Carry-on Items:
Small bags, shopping carts, and recyclables are welcome if you can carry them in one trip. Do not block the center aisle or doors.
Stay Safe:
Cross behind the bus after exiting and limit conversation with the driver.
Remember, SEAT operates as a flag-down service, meaning you can signal to board or exit at any safe point along the route.
Prohibited Actions
For the safety and comfort of everyone, the following actions are not allowed on SEAT buses:
- Eating or drinking (open containers not permitted)
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes
- Transporting hazardous materials (e.g., flammable liquids, batteries)
- Loud, vulgar, or obscene conversations
- Using electronics without headphones or earbuds
- Blocking aisles with strollers, carts, or objects
- Placing arms or objects outside bus windows
- Transporting pets without approved pet carriers (except ADA service animals)
- Not wearing pants, shirts, and shoes
- Carrying weapons or engaging in threatening behavior
- Grossly offensive body odor
Violating these rules may result in being asked to leave the bus or restricted from service. SEAT buses are equipped with security cameras for additional safety.
Riding with Bicycles
Racks Available:
SEAT buses have bike racks to carry up to two bikes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Items to Note:
- Only single-seat, two-wheeled bikes fit on the racks
- No tricycles, electric, tandem, or motorized bikes allowed
- Bikes may be brought inside the bus if there is space and they do not block aisles or doors
- On the last trip of the day, bikes may be allowed inside if the racks are full and space allows
Help us, Help You.
Following these tips ensures that all SEAT riders enjoy safe, comfortable, and dependable bus service. Thank you for riding with SEAT!
Safety & Security.
At SEAT, your safety is our top priority. We are committed to providing a secure and comfortable travel experience for all passengers. Safety and security are not just policies; they are values we uphold every day, from the moment you arrive at your bus stop to the time you reach your destination. By working together and following a few simple guidelines, we can ensure that every trip is safe, respectful, and enjoyable for everyone on board.
Below are a list of tips and guidelines to help you stay safe before and during your ride.
Before You Ride
- Arrive at your stop early and stay alert
- Stand back from the curb until the bus stops completely
- Watch for unusual behavior or packages before boarding
Report suspicious activity early:
Alert your bus driver if you’re at the stop or on board.
If you are not on a bus, call (860) 886-8631 with as much detail as possible (location, bus stop number, description, etc.).
If it’s an emergency, call 911.
While on the Bus
- Remain seated and hold on while the bus is in motion
- Be prepared for sudden stops
- Keep aisles clear of bags and personal items
- Follow all driver instructions promptly
What is Suspicious Activity?
Recognizing Suspicious Behavior
- Loitering or tampering with an unattended bus
- Visible nervousness or excessive sweating
- Carrying spray bottles or aerosol canisters
- Wearing clothing that is excessively baggy or too heavy for the weather
Recognizing Suspicious Packages
- Left in an out-of-the-way location
- Abandoned suddenly by someone leaving quickly
- Having unusual wires, batteries, tanks, bottles, or bags that might contain chemicals
Be Prepared in Case of an Emergency
- Have an emergency contact plan for family, friends, and colleagues
- Keep your contact information up to date and with you
- Know alternate bus routes to your destination
- Familiarize yourself with all posted emergency instructions on the bus
If You See Something, Say Something
You know your surroundings better than anyone. If something feels out of place, it probably is.
During Your Commute – Report:
- Bags, boxes, or packages left unattended
- People entering unauthorized areas
- Exposed wiring, leaks, strange smells, or other signs of tampering
- People videotaping, sketching, or taking notes on transit facilities
- People placing a package in a different compartment than where they sit
- People staying at stations for long periods without boarding
Other Possible Signs of Danger:
- Unattended vehicles in busy areas or under bridges
- Packages left in malls, garages, stadiums, or other crowded areas
- Oversized/bulky clothing inappropriate for the weather
- Abandoning items and leaving quickly
- Wearing a uniform without doing related duties
- Openly carrying a weapon or dangerous item
- Unusual chemical odors
How to Report
Tell a police officer, bus driver, train conductor, or transit worker.
Call the Statewide Homeland Security Tip Line at 1-866-HLS-TIPS (1-866-457-8477) – available 24/7.
Call 9-1-1 if you believe there is immediate danger.
“See Something, Say Something” is more than a slogan; it’s a shared commitment to keeping our community safe. By staying alert, speaking up, and working together, we can protect each other and make every SEAT trip a safe one. Learn more at Keep CT Safe.
Lost and Found.
Lost something on your SEAT bus? Don’t worry! We’re here to help. Our Lost & Found department works hard to reunite passengers with items left behind on our buses.
Contact Our Lost & Found Coordinator:
You can reach our Lost and Found Coordinator via our main number (860) 886-2631.
Lost & Found Hours: The Coordinator is available on Weekdays from 8:00am-4:30pm.
Items can be retrieved at the SEAT Administrative Office at 21 Route 12, Preston, CT 06365. Please call ahead to arrange pick-up. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID when retrieving items.
Items cannot be mailed or delivered, and will only be held for 30 days. SEAT is not responsible for items left on buses, so please double-check your belongings before exiting.
