Deviated Fixed Route Service
Niles Dial-A-Ride Transportation allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off at locations up to ½ mile away from the Route 2 bus stops within the specified service areas. Reservations can be made by calling 269.684.5150 at least one-hour before you want to be picked up. Requests for a special pick-up or drop-off are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders also can request a drop-off within the specified area by asking the bus driver. However, only a limited number of off-route stops can be made on any given trip.
The passenger fare for boarding at a designated bus stop will not change. All riders will pay an additional $0.50 for a deviation from the route. For example, if a rider scheduled a pick-up at his or her home on South 13th Street (within the deviated fixed route service area) and was dropped off at a designated bus stop for the Route 2 bus, the fare would be $2.50 (or $1.50 for riders who are elderly and/or have a disability). This fare is $0.50 less expensive than a demand response trip and still provides the passenger with a curb-to-curb service.
The Route 2 bus travels between the DART main office on 2nd Street to points along South 11th Street/M-51, but also connects passengers to the South Bend Transpo stop at Auten Rd. and 933. The route stops at many of the major business destinations along the way, including Harding's, Wal-Mart, Big Lots and Martin's. The route also stops at the Niles Library and several of the area's apartment and senior living facilities. The Route 2 bus leaves the main office on the hour during their hours of service. Look for the red and white bus stop signs to catch the bus en route. The route bus may deviate upon request to access destinations along the route that are not officially designated stops. Riders wishing to use this service must call in advance. For more information, contact the DART office. Click here for a Route 2 Schedule.
Hours of Operation
Route 2 operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Fares
Fixed Route rides are $2.00 ($1.00 reduced fare*). Children age 3 -11 may ride for half fare. Children 2 and under ride for free. Payments must be made in exact change at the time of the ride using cash, a DART punch ticket, or a DART token.
*Reduced fare applies to those enrolled in the Regional Reduced Fare Card Program.
Due to safety and other operational consideration (e.g., narrow streets, crowded parking lots, cul-de-sacs, etc.), curb-to-curb service may not be possible for every deviation. Drivers will bring riders as close to the door as possible; however, in some cases, passengers may need to board or exit as much as a block away from the location requested.
