Final Friday Service
Frequently Asked Questions
IMPORTANT INFO
How does the FREE Final Friday service work?
RCT’s Final Friday pilot will provide fare-free, demand-response rides during 2024 Final Friday events. RCT drivers will pick up passengers in small RCT buses and take them to and/or from the Final Friday pickup location near the Brickyard in downtown Mansfield. The service area includes Mansfield, Lexington, Ontario, and Madison Township.
How much does RCT's Final Friday service cost?
The evening rides are FREE for 2024!
What hours do RCT’s Final Friday service run?
Final Friday evening service will run during Final Friday events on May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, and September 27, 2024.
Pickup times start at 7pm, with last pickup at 11pm for all events except July. The last pickup time on July 26 will be midnight.
What is demand-response service?
Demand response means you schedule a pickup as indicated above, and we’ll pick you up and/or drop you off at home. So Final Friday service will be similar to Dial-A-Ride service.
Why is RCT providing this service for Final Fridays?
During RCT’s recent 10-year-plan outreach, RCT riders requested transit service for community events, which often occur when RCT does not typically operate. At the same time, community members and stakeholders suggested transit coverage for Final Friday events could reduce parking challenges and offer safe rides home.
The Final Friday Pilot Project also builds transit capacity, as it will be RCT’s first experience providing on-demand and night service, and it will provide experience serving an expanded coverage area. RCT will use the capacity building experiences from Final Fridays to develop detailed plans for new services in the future, such as after-hours workforce transportation. Read more about RCT’s 10-year plan at https://www.rctvision.com/.
Where can I find out info about the Final Friday events, bands, weather updates, etc.?
Event calendars and information are posted at https://www.brickyardmansfield.com/.
Final Friday events are hosted by Downtown Mansfield, Inc. (https://www.downtownmansfield.com/)
In the rare case of event cancellation due to severe weather, Downtown Mansfield, Inc. will post the first notice on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/downtownmansfield).
Transit service updates are posted on RCT’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Richland-County-Transit/100064532656658/).
SCHEDULING & PICKUP INFO
How do I request a pickup from home?
Call RCT at 419-522-4504 to schedule your pickup from home after 7pm on Final Fridays. Advance reservations are encouraged, and you are welcome to call a day or week ahead. Same-day appointments will be accepted based on availability.
How do I request a pickup from the Brickyard/Final Friday location?
For pickup from the Brickyard after 7pm on Final Friday, you have a couple choices:
- Reserve your ride ahead of time by calling 419-522-4504, and then meet at the bus pickup location on N. Diamond Street at your reservation time. Advance reservations are encouraged, and you are welcome to call the day or week ahead.
– OR –
- Walk to the marked bus pickup location on N. Diamond Street near the Brickyard and request a ride from the RCT driver or staff. You will be asked to provide your name and address. These same-day appointments will be accepted based on availability.
Do I need to call for a reservation?
Advanced reservations are encouraged but not required. On-demand trips are an option if/when space is available. Please see the “How do I request a pickup” questions above for more info.
How much time is needed for advanced scheduling?
You are welcome to schedule your pickup time any time during the month. You can also request a ride during the event, which will be scheduled as soon as space permits. For more info, see the “How do I schedule a trip” questions above.
Can I schedule a trip for my family or a group of people? How many people can I bring with me?
Depending on the bus, we can transport 15 to 20 people. If you schedule in advance for a big group, we will know what bus to send at that time.
Can I go one way, or do I have to book a round trip?
Yes, you are welcome to schedule a one-way trip. You can also schedule a round trip, as needed.
If I make an appointment for 9pm, can I change the time if I don't want to go yet?
Yes, you are welcome to call and change the pickup time. We ask that you call at least 30 minutes prior so that we do not send a bus for no reason.
Can you pick me up and stop and get my friends along the way?
Yes, we will need to schedule you all at the same time, and then the GPS system on the bus will determine the order to pick everyone up. Advance notice will help to assure we have a bus to hold the amount you may want to pick up.
How long do I have to wait before a bus picks me up?
Your on-demand pickup time depends on how busy we are at that time. We are scheduling to try and keep wait times minimal.
How do I cancel a trip if I pre-scheduled?
Call 419-522-4504 and let us know that you will not need transportation. At least 30 minutes notice is requested, more is better.
What if I want to come to Final Friday before 7pm?
Before the Final Friday demand response service starts, you can ride RCT’s fixed routes, which run through 6:30pm, to the Transit Center at 74 S. Diamond Street in downtown Mansfield. Event goers can then walk or bike roughly ½-mile to the Brickyard event location or catch one of two routes (Route 7 via Diamond Street; Route 5 via Mulberry Street/Temple Court) that run near the Brickyard every ½ hour. For routes and times, see our Schedules & Fares page or simply call RCT at 419-522-4504.
SERVICE AREA & MAP
What locations does RCT serve for Final Fridays?
For Final Friday service only, RCT will expand our usual service area to include most of Lexington, Ontario, and Madison Township, plus all of Mansfield. The service area map is linked here.
All rides must be to or from the Final Friday pickup location on N. Diamond Street near the Brickyard.
How can I tell if I am in RCT’s Final Friday service area?
If you have checked the map linked above but are not sure if you are in the service area, then call RCT at 419-522-4504, and we will confirm for you.
Why is the RCT Final Friday service not going to Shelby?
Final Friday service is being piloted in the Mansfield Urban Area, which includes Lexington, Ontario, and Madison Township, because that is where the greatest concentration of people are. Covering areas that are farther away from the Brickyard location would also require more vehicles and drivers. These options will be considered for planning in future years, funding permitted.
Why is the RCT Final Friday service not going to Lucas?
Lucas has less population density and rural roads and is also not in the Mansfield Urban Area.
Where is the RCT Final Friday pickup and drop-off location?
RCT’s pickup and drop-off location will be on N. Diamond Street in the parking spaces between the Brickyard alley and Phoenix Brewing Company. The designated area will be marked with signs and cones.
SERVICE INFO & RULES
How long will I be on the bus?
Your time on the bus depends on the distance to your home and the amount of people that will be on the bus going home also.
Will I be riding with other people?
For efficiency, RCT groups rides for people who are traveling at similar times or locations. So yes, most likely you will share the ride.
Are you going to do other events?
This is a first-year pilot, and RCT may evaluate the option of covering other events in the future. RCT accepts requests and input from the community at 232 N. Main Street, Mansfield or by calling the General Manager, Chris Terry, at 419-522-4504.
When you ride RCT’s Final Friday service, you’ll be invited to complete a satisfaction survey, and there is a question that addresses future events. Please provide any suggestions you have on our RCT Final Friday service, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win prizes!
Are we able to stop anywhere on the way home?
No, those side trips would make the ride longer for other passengers. The only stops that we will be making are the pickups and drop offs.
Is the RCT Final Friday service wheelchair accessible?
Yes, all RCT buses are wheelchair accessible.
Can I bring a stroller on the bus?
Yes, you can bring a stroller on the bus; however, the child must sit on your lap or on the seat next to you while the bus is in transport. The stroller must be stowed with the brakes on, either with you or in the wheelchair area. We cannot have anything in the aisle way.
Can I bring a bike on the bus?
Yes, all RCT buses have a bike rack on the front of the bus with space for two bikes. Additional options inside the bus may be available, space permitting.
Can we bring our lawn chairs on the bus?
Yes, you can bring lawn chairs on board. They must be able to fit into the seating area, as we cannot have anything in the aisle way.
Can we bring a cooler on the bus?
No coolers or outside alcohol is allowed at the Final Friday event or on the bus. See RCT’s rider policies.
If we get food from food trucks, can we eat on way home?
No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus. However, food that is in spill-proof containers can be brought on the bus to take home with you. See RCT’s rider policies.
What happens if someone gets out of hand while on your bus?
Safety for our drivers and passengers is our #1 priority. If someone is out of control and causing a problem for another passenger or our driver, we will contact the police. The same rules apply to misconduct on the bus as normal service. See RCT’s rider policies.
Will you still continue to take people home if it is raining?
Yes, you will still be able to get a ride home if it’s raining. Any change in RCT service would be posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Richland-County-Transit/100064532656658/).
The Final Friday event will be held rain or shine; however, if there is lightning or severe weather, watch for event cancellation notices on the Downtown Mansfield Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/downtownmansfield).
Can we ride free every month?
Yes, you can ride fare-free to and/or from all five Final Friday events.
Do I have to qualify?
No qualification is needed. Anyone can ride the service, so long as one end of the trip is at the Final Friday location and the home pickup/return location is in the service area.