Northwestern Stage Lines
Rider Guide
Everything you need to know before, during, and after your trip.
To ensure you do not miss your trip, please arrive at your departure location 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Buses operate on a fixed schedule; drivers are generally unable to wait for passengers who arrive after the scheduled departure time.
No printed ticket is required. When boarding, simply provide the name on your reservation, and the driver will verify you are on the passenger list. For added convenience, you may also have the QR code from your confirmation email available on your phone, which the driver may also scan.
If you're running late, call us as soon as possible. We will make every effort to assist you. If you miss your scheduled departure, call us and we can move your reservation to the next available shuttle at no additional charge, subject to seat availability.
If you are only a few minutes away, the driver may be able to wait for up to 5 minutes beyond the scheduled departure time, but only if our office has been notified in advance.
A missed departure is considered a no-show, and the ticket is not eligible for a refund.
Please give us a call. Depending on your ticket and the circumstances, we may be able to assist you with available options for future travel. If your missed trip was due to a flight delay, rebooking due to a flight delay is provided at no additional charge.
If you'd like to pay with cash, please call us at least 1 hour before departure to reserve your seat. You'll pay the driver when you board using exact change (drivers cannot accept checks or make change). If you arrive without a reservation, you can ride only if seats are still available at departure.
Just enter the traveler's name as the passenger since boarding is by name. The confirmation email will be sent to the email address entered during checkout, so be sure it's one that you or the traveler can access.
Some stops are served on demand, meaning the bus stops only if a passenger is scheduled to get on or off there. Reserving in advance guarantees your stop.
If you book online on the same day as your trip, please also call us so we can notify the driver and make sure your stop is served.
Passengers with mobility needs have priority for the front seat. If it's available, you can reserve it for $5 per trip by calling us.
On larger buses, the front seat is the first row behind the driver. All other seating is first come, first served.
Please follow the driver's instructions and be respectful of other passengers. Smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, and weapons are not permitted. Use headphones for music or videos, keep noise to a minimum, and help keep the ride comfortable for everyone. Passengers who create a safety concern or disrupt others may be removed from the vehicle. The complete conduct policy is on our Legal page.
Still have questions?
Our team is available 24/7 for reservations and booking help.