Red Rose Transit Authority Bus Schedule Finder for Lancaster Routes, Fares, BusFinder, Passes and Red Rose Access
The Red Rose Transit Authority bus schedule is used by Lancaster City and Lancaster County riders who need a quick route, a real-time bus location, a fare answer, a transfer rule, a ride to school or college, or Red Rose Access information. This guide puts those rider tasks first, then links to the official RRTA tools.
What RRTA Riders Want First Before Opening the Full Schedule
Red Rose Transit Authority bus schedule intent is practical. Most visitors want to know which route serves their stop, whether the bus is on time, what the fare is, whether a transfer is valid, and how to avoid missing the connection at Downtown Lancaster.
Find my RRTA route
Use RRTAβs official schedules page for route PDFs, system maps, route updates and the Ride Guide.
Track my bus
Use RRTA BusFinder for real-time bus location, trip planning, arrival/departure alerts and inbound/outbound schedule checks.
Pay my fare
Check cash fare, student fare, half fare, passes, RRTA Go Mobile, smart card and paper ticket options.
Make a transfer
RRTA transfers are free, time-limited and have rules about Downtown Lancaster transfer points and return trips.
Red Rose Access
Use separate Red Rose Access pages for ADA, senior, medical assistance, Persons with Disabilities and reservation questions.
Bike, college and Park-n-Ride
RRTA also has rider resources for bike racks, college riders, transit center use and Park-n-Ride planning.
RRTA Mini Finder: Choose the Right Lancaster Transit Action
Type a route, location, fare question or rider need. This on-page helper is not an official RRTA tracker, but it helps users jump to the right official task.
Route Schedule and System Map
Use when you know the route number and need RRTAβs official schedule, route update date or map.
BusFinder Live Tracking
Use when you are leaving soon and need real-time bus location, arrival/departure alerts or up-to-the-minute schedules.
Cash Fare and Transfer
Use for adult cash fare, K-12 fare, half fare, exact-cash warning and free transfer rules.
RRTA Go Mobile
Use for app-based payment, fare validation, smart card options and paper ticket alternatives.
Red Rose Access
Use for ADA, senior shared ride, medical assistance transportation, Persons with Disabilities and reservation help.
Transit Center and Rider Help
Use for Queen Street Station, Downtown Lancaster transfers, Park-n-Ride, Lost & Found, college riders and bike racks.
Quick answer for RRTA riders today
Open RRTAβs official schedules page, choose your route, check BusFinder close to departure, prepare exact cash or RRTA Go Mobile payment, and read transfer rules if you need a second bus in Downtown Lancaster.
Official Red Rose Transit Links for Schedules, BusFinder, Fares and Red Rose Access
These official resources solve the most common RRTA rider tasks: route schedule, real-time bus tracking, fare payment, transfer rules, accessibility and customer contact.
Red Rose Transit Authority Bus Schedule Overview: Lancaster City and Lancaster County Routes
Red Rose Transit Authority provides public bus transportation for Lancaster City and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. RRTAβs official schedules page lists city routes, county routes, system maps, the Ride Guide, fare pages, BusFinder, RRTA Go Mobile and Red Rose Access resources.
Current official schedule listings include Route 1/Northeast-Southeast, Route 3/Sterling PlaceβKensington Court, Route 5/Golden Triangle, Route 6/Hawthorne CentreβWalmart, Route 8/Park CityβPenn State Health, Route 10/Lititz, Route 11/Ephrata, Route 12/New Holland, Route 13/White Horse, Route 14/Rockvale Outlets, Route 15/Willow Street, Route 16/Millersville, Route 17/Columbia, Route 18/Elizabethtown, Route 19/Manheim, Route 20/Greenfield, Route 21/Gap and Millersville University Bus Services.
Source verification box
Updated June 4, 2026. Official checks include RRTA schedules, cash fares, transfers, BusFinder, RRTA Go Mobile, Ride Guide, Senior Free Ride Program and Red Rose Access reservation pages. RRTA routes, fares, transfer rules, schedule dates, app tools, alerts, holiday operations, Access reservations and phone support can change. Always verify directly with Red Rose Transit before time-sensitive travel.
RRTA Route Guide: City Routes, County Routes, Colleges and Lancaster Connections
RRTA route names are important because riders often search by destination instead of route number. Someone may search βLancaster to Lititz bus,β βEphrata bus,β βNew Holland bus,β βMillersville bus,β βPark City bus,β βRockvale bus,β βColumbia bus,β or βGap busβ without knowing the official route number.
Route 1 / Northeast-Southeast
Useful for city-area trips where the rider needs a route map, stop direction and BusFinder check.
Route 3 / Sterling Place β Kensington Court
Use the official schedule for direction, stops and timing because local stop spacing can matter.
Route 5 / Golden Triangle
Popular for Lancaster-area errands, transfers and city route planning.
Route 8 / Park City β Penn State Health
Important for shopping, medical trips, work trips and transfer timing.
Route 10 / Lititz
County-route riders should check zone-related fare timing and schedule direction carefully.
Route 11 / Ephrata
Use the official route page before planning longer Lancaster County bus trips.
Route 12 / New Holland
Good example of a county route where inbound/outbound fare timing can matter.
Route 13 / White Horse
Check the official PDF, route direction, transfer point and return trip before leaving.
Route 14 / Rockvale Outlets
Useful for shopping-area trips where weekend timing and stop location matter.
Route 16 / Millersville
Important for students, campus trips and Millersville-area connections.
Route 17 / Columbia
Use the latest official schedule if you are planning a longer county trip.
Route 21 / Gap
Check route direction, first/last bus and transfer rule before a time-sensitive ride.
City route vs county route warning
RRTAβs Ride Guide explains that city routes and county routes can differ in how fares are paid. Do not assume every route uses the same boarding/departing fare timing.
RRTA BusFinder: Real-Time Bus Tracking, Exact Location and Email Alerts
BusFinder is the most useful RRTA tool when you are close to leaving. RRTA says BusFinder is powered by GPS technology and lets riders plan a trip, find a bus including its exact location, send email alerts for arrivals or departures, and retrieve up-to-the-minute inbound and outbound schedules.
- Use the official schedule first to choose your route and direction.
- Use BusFinder close to departure to check whether the bus is on time.
- Use the inbound/outbound schedule carefully so you do not wait on the wrong side.
- Use email alerts if you rely on the same trip regularly.
- For transfers, track both the first bus and the connecting route.
- For winter weather, construction or event days, check alerts in addition to BusFinder.
Need the live RRTA bus tracker now?
Open RRTA BusFinderRRTA Fares: Cash Fare, Student Fare, Half Fare, Transfers and Go Mobile
RRTAβs cash fare page lists fares effective as of January 4, 2021. Adult cash fare is listed at $1.80. K-12 student fare is listed at $1.00. The half fare program for persons with qualifying disabilities is listed at $0.90. Children age 5 and under ride free when accompanied by a full-fare paying passenger.
RRTA asks riders to have exact cash fare because drivers do not carry money to make change.
Student fares apply to grades K-12, and high school students must show valid student ID for the discount.
For persons with qualifying disabilities who receive half off the cash fare.
Children age 5 and under ride free when accompanied by a full-fare paying passenger.
Transfers are free but have Downtown Lancaster, expiration and return-trip restrictions.
RRTA says riders can buy and validate fares using smartphone, smart card or traditional paper tickets.
Transfer rules that matter
RRTA transfers are free, but they are not unlimited. If you need to change from one bus to another to complete a one-way trip, ask the driver of your first bus for a transfer when you pay. The transfer must be given on the second bus, cannot be used for a return trip on the same or nearby routes, and is valid up to two hours. RRTA also says all transfers must take place in Downtown Lancaster.
Close connection rule
If your connection is close, ask the first bus driver to notify dispatch. RRTA says buses can only be held five minutes for transfer connections, and the trip must be legally scheduled to arrive at or before the connecting bus departure time.
Fare mistake to avoid
Do not board with a large bill and expect change. RRTA states that drivers do not carry money to make change, so exact cash or a prepared pass/app option is safer.
How to Ride RRTA: Route, Stop, Fare and Transfer Checklist
RRTA trips are easiest when planned in a simple order. Choose the route, confirm direction, check the service day, find the exact stop, prepare the fare and use BusFinder close to departure.
Choose your route
Use the RRTA schedules page, route name, system map or Ride Guide.
Pick direction
Confirm inbound or outbound before reading times, especially on county routes.
Select travel day
Check weekday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday service separately.
Find the stop
Use the official map, stop sign and nearby landmark. Stand where the driver can see you.
Prepare fare
Use exact cash, RRTA Go Mobile, smart card or paper ticket as applicable.
Track the bus
Open BusFinder close to departure for live location and arrival information.
Red Rose Access: ADA, Senior Shared Ride, Medical Assistance and Reservations
Red Rose Access is separate from the regular fixed-route bus schedule. It includes programs such as ADA service, Senior Shared Ride, Medical Assistance Transportation, Persons with Disabilities and Access to Jobs. Riders should not use a regular route PDF as a Red Rose Access booking guide.
ADA Program
Use for riders whose disabilities prevent use of fixed-route transit under ADA eligibility rules.
Senior Shared Ride
Use Red Rose Access senior program pages when the fixed-route Senior Free Ride Program is not the right service.
Medical Assistance
Use the official Medical Assistance Transportation page for eligible medical-trip questions.
Reservations
Red Rose Access reservation information lists 717-291-1243, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Access service warning
Red Rose Access eligibility, reservations, fares and service hours can differ by program. Always confirm directly with Red Rose Access before scheduling a ride.
Senior Riders, College Riders, Bike Racks, Park-n-Ride and Lost & Found
RRTA has several rider resources that are useful beyond a basic timetable. Seniors age 65 or older can review the Senior Citizens Free Ride Program. College riders can check college service pages. Bike riders can review bike rack information. Drivers who combine car and bus can check Park-n-Ride information. Riders who leave something on the bus should use Lost & Found resources.
- Senior riders should check the Senior Free Ride Program and required proof steps.
- College riders should check Millersville University Bus Services and RRTA college service pages.
- Bike riders should check RRTA bike rack guidance before bringing a bicycle to the stop.
- Park-n-Ride riders should confirm lot location, route, schedule and parking rules before driving.
- Lost & Found riders should contact RRTA quickly with route, date, direction, time and item description.
- New riders should review How to Ride and How to Read a Schedule before the first trip.
RRTA Contact and Help: When to Call Red Rose Transit
Online tools are best for route schedules and live tracking, but a phone call can be better when a stop appears moved, a bus is delayed, a transfer is close, an Access reservation is involved, or your app and schedule do not match.
Red Rose Transit
RRTA lists Red Rose Transit contact number as 717-397-4246.
Red Rose Access
RRTA lists Red Rose Access contact number as 717-291-1243.
Operations Center
RRTA lists Operations Center contact number as 717-397-5613.
PA Relay
Red Rose Access pages encourage hearing-impaired customers to use PA Relay by calling 711.
Common RRTA Schedule Mistakes That Make Riders Miss the Bus
Using only an old PDF
RRTA route pages show update dates, so always reopen the official route if the trip is important.
Wrong direction
Inbound and outbound trips can have different fare timing, stop order and arrival expectations.
No exact cash
RRTA drivers do not make change, so exact cash or prepared payment is important.
Late transfer request
Ask for a transfer when paying the first driver. Transfers are not a return-trip pass.
Expecting every bus to wait
RRTA says buses can only be held five minutes for transfer connections and only when the schedule supports the connection.
Confusing Access and fixed route
Red Rose Access has separate eligibility, reservation and fare rules from regular RRTA bus routes.
Smart Internal Route Hub: Related Bus Schedule Guides
These internal links help riders continue planning across agency pages, route-number pages and regional bus schedule searches.
Red Rose Transit Map Near Me for Lancaster PA Stops, Routes and Queen Street Station
Use this map for general discovery only. It can help identify Lancaster-area transit locations, but official RRTA schedules and BusFinder should be used for final route, time, stop and transfer verification.
Red Rose Transit Authority Bus Schedule FAQs
Where do I check the official Red Rose Transit bus schedule?
Use RRTAβs official Schedules page. It lists route schedules, system maps, the Ride Guide and route-specific pages for Lancaster City and Lancaster County bus service.
How do I track an RRTA bus live?
Use RRTA BusFinder. RRTA says BusFinder is powered by GPS and can show bus location, trip planning, email alerts and up-to-the-minute inbound/outbound schedules.
How much is the Red Rose Transit adult cash fare?
RRTAβs cash fare page lists adult cash fare at $1.80. Riders should bring exact cash because RRTA drivers do not carry money to make change.
Are RRTA transfers free?
Yes, RRTA lists transfers as no charge. However, transfers are for one-way trips, must be requested when paying the first driver, are valid up to two hours and must take place in Downtown Lancaster.
Can I buy Red Rose Transit fares on my phone?
Yes. RRTA Go Mobile lets riders buy and validate fares through a smartphone, smart card or traditional paper ticket option, according to RRTAβs official Go Mobile page.
What is Red Rose Access?
Red Rose Access is RRTAβs shared-ride and paratransit program area for ADA, senior, medical assistance, Persons with Disabilities and related eligibility programs. It has separate reservation and eligibility rules.
What phone number should I use for RRTA help?
RRTA lists Red Rose Transit at 717-397-4246, Red Rose Access at 717-291-1243 and RRTA Operations Center at 717-397-5613. Use the official contact page for current hours and details.
Is BusSchedules.org the official Red Rose Transit website?
No. BusSchedules.org is an independent rider-help guide. Always verify final RRTA schedules, fares, transfer rules, access reservations, alerts and live bus information directly with Red Rose Transit Authority.
Editorial Note
This guide is for public information only and is not Red Rose Transit Authority, South Central Transit Authority, Lancaster County, Red Rose Access, BusFinder, RRTA Go Mobile or any official transportation operator. RRTA schedules, fares, transfers, pass options, Access eligibility, reservation hours, phone numbers, alerts and app tools can change. Always verify your final trip directly with RRTA before commuting, transferring, buying a fare product or planning a time-sensitive ride.
Final Summary: Best Way to Use the Red Rose Transit Authority Bus Schedule
The best way to use the Red Rose Transit Authority bus schedule is to start with the official RRTA schedules page, choose your route and direction, then check BusFinder close to departure for live bus location and up-to-the-minute arrival information.
Before boarding, prepare exact cash, RRTA Go Mobile, smart card or paper ticket. If you need a transfer, ask for it when paying the first driver and follow the Downtown Lancaster transfer rules. If you need ADA, senior, medical assistance or shared-ride service, use Red Rose Access instead of a fixed-route bus PDF.
This rebuilt Red Rose Transit Authority Bus Schedule page now works like a rider-first Lancaster transit tool: official schedule buttons, BusFinder guidance, fare and transfer rules, Go Mobile help, Red Rose Access notes, senior and college rider guidance, contact numbers, map discovery, FAQs and smart internal links in one mobile-friendly WordPress block.