Capital Transit

Our new Capital Transit App provides several features:

• Schedule rides within Helena City Limits
• Choose custom pick-up and drop-off locations
• Pay fares electronically
• Receive notifications for your ride’s arrival
• Track your ride on our real-time map

To learn more about using the Capital Transit App, which is offered through Spare, Click Here to Watch Video.

Drivers do not carry change. Please have exact change when paying at the bus. In addition to paying when you board, punch passes may be purchased in advance at the Transit office with cash, check or card. You may also purchase punch passes from the driver with checks or cash - exact change required. Select unlimited passes are available on the APP or from the Transit office. The Transit office maintains a limited amount of change on hand.

Ride Rates

As of October 2, 2023, the fare rates are:

General -

Pre-scheduled General one way: $3.00; Premium same day General one-way: $5.00.

Pre-scheduled Discounted one way: $1.00; Premium same day Discounted one-way: $2.00.

Discount group - 

Discounted group includes Senior (60+), Disabled, Veteran and/or Student. To apply for discounted status, use the button below:

Discount application

We will attempt to respond to all applications within 3 business days. Please look for follow up from our staff to the email you provided.

*ADA Attendants and children under six ride free.

Passes

The cost of Passes as of October 2, 2023 -

Punch passes

valid on pre-scheduled rides only

10 Punch Pass - $20.00 for 10 pre-scheduled rides only

20 Punch Pass - $30.00 for 20 pre-scheduled rides only

30 Punch Pass - $40.00 for 30 pre-scheduled rides only

Unlimited Passes 

unlimited passes are valid on both pre-scheduled and same-day rides.

Unlimited day pass - $10.00

Unlimited week pass - $29.00

Unlimited month pass - $84.00

Unlimited quarterly pass - $250.00

Unlimited 6-month pass - $499.00

Unlimited yearly pass - $999.00

Tokens have been discontinued and will no longer be accepted as of October 2, 2023 

Pre-scheduled rides are defined as any ride scheduled at least one day ahead of the date the ride is scheduled to take place. Any changes made to a ride occurring on the date the ride is scheduled to take place will result in the ride converting to a premium same-day ride and will be charged at the premium rate.

All passes have no monetary value and are non-refundable. Unlimited Passes are non-transferable and can only be used by the originally named pass holder. There are no group passes or family passes. Purchase of a pass does not guarantee ride availability.

In person purchases: For expedited service, please call 406-447-8080 Ext. 1 to schedule an appointment to complete an in-person purchase. Please bring correct change, make checks payable to Capital Transit. Credit cards are accepted on the App or at the dispatch window.

Wallet

Capital Transit riders have a virtual wallet assigned to their profile in which they can add up to $100.00 to be used for fare payment. Fares are deducted at the riders standard fare rate (i.e. full price riders would be deducted $3.00 for a pre-scheduled ride or $5.00 for a same day ride per person). Funds can be added starting at $3.00 not to exceed a maximum of $100.00 at any given time. Funds deducted are placed into a pending status when a ride is booked until the ride is either completed or canceled. Pending fares are returned to the wallet balance if the ride is canceled for any reason.

• Funds may be added either by the rider via the App or by the dispatch center M-F 8:00am to 4:00pm. 
  • Riders can call 406-447-8080 Ext. 1 to add funds IF there is a debit/credit card on file.
  • Riders can come to the dispatch center at 1415 N Montana Ave and add funds using cash, electronic payment, or check.

Wallet balances are non-refundable, non-transferable and have no monetary value. Wallet balances can be used on more than one rider only if multiple riders are booked together on the same account, for the same trip.

Capital Transit offers curb-to-curb service within Helena City limits. Download the Capital Transit App to schedule your ride, up to 1 day in advance. Same-day service is subject to availability. If you have a specific time that you need to arrive at your destination, please be sure to schedule your ride the day prior.

Recurring Trips

Capital Transit is now accepting applications for 2 types of recurring trips, subject to terms pursuant to our Recurring Trips Policy(PDF, 93KB) . Use the button below to submit your application, more information on the policy can be found by following the link above, in the policy links under the Policy section in our website or by contacting us at 406-447-8080 EXT. – ask for the Transit Coordinator and/or Transit Manager.

Recurring Trips Application

The East Valley Bus

Capital Transit offers limited demand response service to the East Valley/East Helena service area known as the East Valley Bus. This service includes curb to curb service, as well as walk on service from designated virtual stops, to and from the East Valley service area to the Capital Transit Station during the established run times.

The East Valley Bus schedule is –

Monday through Friday 8am – 10am, 2pm – 4pm.

The bus picks up riders from Capital Transit Station at 8am, goes to East Valley service area to drop off any East Valley bound riders and pickup any riders bound for the Transit Station. The bus arrives back to Capital Transit at approximately 9am. The bus then disembarks current passengers, loads new passengers, and repeats with an expected return time of 10am. The bus is then shut down until 2pm, at which time it repeats the 2-hour cycle.

Riders may book rides on the East Valley Bus by calling the Capital Transit dispatch center at 406-447-8080 Ext. 1 M-F 8am-4pm. Voicemail request on Sunday 8am-4pm, voicemail is checked at 8am on Monday.

Walk on rides are picked up at the designated stops in the East Valley service area when picking up scheduled rides, it is recommended to be at the stop no later than 10min after the hour.

East Valley fare rates –

Pre-scheduled general ride and walk on ride - $3.00, Premium general same day ride - $5.00.

Pre-scheduled discount ride and walk on ride - $1.00, Premium discount same day ride - $2.00.

All East Valley rides are one way to or from the Capital Transit Station, rides from the Transit Station fall under the Helena service area rates as stated in the Fares section.

Walk on locations –

Current walk on locations in East Valley are:

East Helena city hall

At the corner of E Clinton St and Kalispell Ave N

Do you run on weekends or Holidays?

No – there is no service on the weekends.

Yes – service is provided on certain Holidays:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day
• Veterans Day

I am a person who uses a mobility device can I ride the bus?

Yes – buses are ADA compliant and equipped with a wheel chair lift. When booking, please inform the dispatcher -  or select the appropriate accessibility features when using the APP - to ensure scheduling availabilities and efficiencies. 

I have a bicycle. Can I put it on the bus?

Bicycles are allowed on buses equipped with a bike carrier. It is the responsibility of the rider to load and unload their bicycle from the bike racks. You must select the accessibility option for bicycle on the APP, or tell the dispatcher, when booking the ride.

Can I bring my animal on the bus?

Only service animals are allowed to ride on the buses as long as they are under the control of their owner. Other animals not meeting the definition of a service animal must be placed in an appropriately designed and constructed animal carrier, boxes are not considered animal carriers in most instances.

I have a baby, are there car seats on the buses?

All children five years old and under must utilize a child safety seat during transport. The customer is responsible for providing and securing the car seat. 

Does the Bus Driver have change?

No, please bring the correct fare amount with you.

Where can I buy bus passes?

Passes can be purchased virtually on our APP, from a bus driver, or at the Capital Transit office located at 1415 North Montana Avenue.

In person purchases: Please call 406-447-8080 Ext. 1 to schedule an appointment to complete an in-person purchase. When making a purchase, please keep in mind that the Transit station maintains a limited amount of change on site. Checks are accepted and may be made out to Capital Transit, City of Helena or HATS. Credit Cards and tap to pay are also accepted.

Can I eat and drink on the bus?

No – food and drinks are prohibited from the bus.

Do I have to pay for my child or my attendant to ride the bus?

ADA personal care attendants and children 6 years old or younger ride free.

Capital Transit Ridership Rules and Responsibilities(PDF, 627KB) 

Capital Transit strives for accessibility.

Title VI Non-Discrimination policy

Capital Transit is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination in the receipt of its services or programs on the basis of race, color or national origin or any other characteristics protected by state or federal law, including: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Further, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, no entity shall discriminate against an individual with a physical or mental disability in connection with the provision of transportation service. To this end Capital Transit has updated its Title VI program, as required by the Federal Transit Administration, and is available for review.

To obtain more information on the Capital Transit nondiscrimination obligations or to file a Title VI or ADA complaint, contact Nicole Cosby at the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) at 406.444.6334. You have the right to file a complaint of discrimination in writing no later than 180 calendar days after the date of the alleged discrimination. If you are unable to complete a written complaint, please contact MDT for assistance. Mail complaint to: 2701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT 59620.

Complaint forms may be obtained here, or a paper copy can be mailed to you by calling 406 444 6334 Those using a TTY may call 1(800)335-7592 or Montana Relay at 711.

Full Demand Response Policies

• Demand Response Policy 9/2025(PDF, 529KB)
• Recurring Trips Policy 9/2025(PDF, 93KB)

The Helena CTAC is an advisory group that cooperatively assists the local transit operator in assessing and prioritizing local needs.

Click Here to Learn More

Currently Scheduled Meetings are:

• September 9th 2025
• October 14th 2025

Click Here to View Current Transportation coordination plan(PDF, 364KB)

The current Executive Director is:

Jackie Mohler

jmohler@familyoutreach.org