“Transit App”, a popular mobile app used by many Asheville Rides Transit (ART) riders for trip planning, recently began asking users to pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to get information about schedules at stops not in their immediate vicinity or for trip planning several hours into the future. These features were previously available for free. Subscriptions to the new “Royale service” cost $24.99 for the year and $4.99 on a monthly basis.
Thankfully, there are still several other FREE options to get your transit information, including:
- Moovit App
- Google Maps
- Swiftly Real-Time Map
- Text 41411, enter “NextART”, space, and bus stop ID #
- ART Customer Service phone number
- Call 828-253-5691, press #1
Moovit App
“Moovit” is another trip planning mobile app that is free to use (with ads). You can download Moovit wherever you download mobile apps:
A web-based application is also available here.
Google Maps
Google Maps can be used for transit trip planning as well. You can download Google Maps wherever you download mobile apps:
A web-based application is also available here. Make sure to select the Transit (bus/train) icon.
Check out this article for detailed instructions on how to use Google Maps for transit planning.
Swiftly Real-Time Map
A web-based real-time trip planner from Swiftly is available here.
Text 41411
Riders can text “NextART” with bus stop ID #s to “41411” for bus arrival times to nearby bus stops. Bus stop ID #s are found at bus stops on a circle sign, or on Google Maps once clicking on a bus stop icon. Staff is currently working to replace missing signs and stop ID #s. If you come across a bus stop without a stop ID, you can report missing stop IDs using this survey.
ART Customer Service
ART Customer Service is available at the Transit Station at 49 Coxe Avenue, or by phone at 828-253-5691. Call 828-253-2691 and press #1, and enter a bus stop ID for bus-arrival times. Customer Service hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday 7:00 AM – 9:30 p.m., and Sunday & Holidays 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hours may differ with staffing shortages.
As always, ART maps & schedules can be found online at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-maps-schedules/. Please check the Service Alerts section on the website for any updates. https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-service-alerts/.