Planning Your Trip
For most VanGO Specialized Services, an application must be completed and once determined eligible, a customer can schedule trips by calling VanGO.
For VanGO fixed routes, no application is required and no trips need to be pre-scheduled. A customer need only be at a VanGO stop, or at a safe place anywhere along a route to flag a bus, in order to receive service. VanGO fixed routes operate on set schedules that can be viewed at “VanGO Schedules” or can be mailed by contacting the Department of Community Services, Transportation Division, at 301-934-9305.
The schedules identify stop locations and times and can be used when planning your trip. Or, personalized schedules can be done upon request. These schedules are specifically tailored to customers’ individual needs and can be requested by calling the Department of Community Services at the above number. The personalized schedule will detail your trip from beginning to end with pick-up times, stop locations, and route designations, advising you what bus to take at what time in order to reach your destination. These personalized schedules are ideal for persons who have difficulty reading VanGO schedules or who are new to the system.
For customers who do not need personalized schedules but use VanGO public transit schedules to plan their trips, the following is a quick outline for accessing the service:
- Locate the designated vehicle stop (or potential flag location along the route) nearest your pick-up point.
- Determine the pick-up time that best meets your needs.
- Locate your desired destination and arrival time.
- Determine whether a transfer is required. If so, refer to the schedule for the appropriate route and repeat above.
- Plan to arrive at the vehicle stop/flag location five minutes prior to the time identified on the schedule.
- When boarding, have exact fare in money or tickets; or have exact change to purchase an All Day Pass.
- Ensure that you are boarding the appropriate vehicle by identifying vehicle markings, including:
- the VanGO logo
- the route name (i.e. Business Loop) on the front or side of the vehicle
- the line color identifier (i.e. Blue Line) on the front or side
A flag stop refers to accessing a bus, or getting off a bus, at a location not specifically designated as a stop on the VanGO schedule. Anywhere along a bus route is a potential flag stop provided it is safe to do so. This is left to the discretion of the VanGO driver. Flag stops are not done on Route 301 from Pinefield south to La Plata at Route 6. Flag stops are also not done on Route 5 as far south as St. Charles Parkway.
Because the safety of a location of a flag stop can be subjective, and because drivers must pay close attention to maintaining order on their vehicles and operating the vehicle in a safe manner, it is strongly recommended that passengers go to the nearest designated VanGO bus stop in order to meet the bus, or, call VanGO ahead of time to advise when and where you will be catching the bus. If sufficient notice is given, this information can be relayed to the VanGO driver so they can be watching for you.