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FAQs
My school ID does not work in the bus fare box. What do I do?

My HEAT farecard does not work in the bus fare box. What do I do?

I lost my HEAT farecard. What do I do?

My friend/roommate/Mom wants to use my HEAT farecard. Is that OK?

Why don't HEAT buses stop more frequently along the routes?

Are the HEAT vehicles accessible to persons with disabilities?

Can I take my bicycle on HEAT and GTA buses?

Where will HEAT take me?

Tell me more about the HEAT buses and where the idea came from for the HEAT bus design

I believe I may have lost an item on a HEAT or GTA vehicle. How do I retrieve it?

What is the fare to ride on HEAT?

Can I ride the other GTA routes, too?

How will the driver know that I ride for free?

Why do certain students ride for free, and others have to pay?

My school ID does not work in the bus fare box. What do I do?
First, please make sure that you qualify with your college or university to ride HEAT on a fare-free basis. Only qualified students from Greensboro College, Guilford College, North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro use their school-issued identification card to board HEAT and GTA buses. If you attend one of these three schools and are qualified to ride HEAT and GTA routes on a fare-free basis, the problem most likely rests with your school ID card. You will have to go back to the department at your institution that issues student identification cards to have the problem corrected. To contact the appropriate person or department at your school, please visit the contacts page on this web site for additional information.
     
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My HEAT farecard does not work in the bus fare box. What do I do?
Qualified students from Bennett College, Elon University School of Law and Guilford Technical Community College (both the Greensboro and Jamestown campuses) are issued HEAT farecards to board HEAT and GTA buses. If you attend one of these three schools and are qualified to ride HEAT and GTA routes on a fare-free basis, you received your farecard at some point during your on-campus registration process. If your HEAT farecard is not working, you will need to return to the department at your institution that issued your HEAT farecard, return the nonworking card, and they will replace it. To contact the appropriate person or department at your school, please visit the Contacts page on this web site.
     
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I lost my HEAT farecard. What do I do?
If you lose your HEAT farecard you will need to return to the department at your institution that issued your HEAT farecard and they will replace it. If you find your old farecard after it has been replaced you should simply discard it. Every HEAT farecard has a unique identification number that is used to track card use. Every HEAT farecard that is reported as lost will be cancelled and will not work on the HEAT and GTA vehicle fare boxes.
     
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My friend/roommate/Mom wants to use my HEAT farecard. Is that OK?
In a word – no. HEAT farecards are not transferable and GTA reserves the right to request identification from any person presenting a HEAT farecard to board a HEAT or GTA vehicle. Misuse of the HEAT farecard could result in suspension or revocation of your HEAT farecard privileges. So in 11 words – the only person allowed to use your HEAT farecard is you.
     
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Why don't HEAT buses stop more frequently along the routes?
HEAT is designed to be an express service. Because of the distance that it covers, stops are kept to a minimum to get you to your destination on time. Careful planning and research have been conducted to establish the current HEAT stops. If you have suggestions for stops or other areas to be served by HEAT, just drop us a line.
     
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Are the HEAT vehicles accessible to persons with disabilities?
Yes. All HEAT and GTA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts. The vehicle operator will assist wheelchair users with boarding and securing the chair.
     
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Can I take my bicycle on HEAT and GTA buses?
You sure can! Most HEAT and GTA vehicles are equipped with bicycle racks that can accommodate two bikes. Racks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders are solely responsible for securing and removing bicycles from the racks. Please be sure to let the vehicle operator know that you are securing and removing your bicycle. GTA is not responsible for the bicycle while in transit. Sorry, but bicycles are not permitted on board vehicles.
     
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Where will HEAT take me?
HEAT will take you wherever life takes you. Visit friends. Go shopping. Grab a bite. See a movie. Visit a museum or gallery. All that Greensboro has to offer is a HEAT ride away. So what are you waiting for? Get Going. Get HEAT.
     
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Tell me more about the HEAT buses and where the idea came from for the HEAT bus design
The new HEAT service has acquired 10 new vehicles to serve students and the community with enhanced transportation options. The three large and seven small buses will run a total of six weekday, evening and weekend routes in air-conditioned and heated comfort, all operated by professional and courteous drivers. Each vehicle is equipped for wheelchair access, enabling persons with disabilities to use the service with a rear-mounted lift. The buses also feature bicycle racks to carry your bicycles with you. Comfortable fabric seats will make all of your commutes enjoyable. The exterior look of the buses is based on a "Bring the HEAT" design contest submission by Jennifer Homer, an advertising and graphic design student at Guilford Technical Community College. The HEAT Marketing Committee unanimously agreed that her submission accurately portrayed the image of fun and energy we were seeking and incorporated it into the bus design. The exterior of the vehicles are not painted with the chosen design, but are covered with a vinyl laminate in a process known as "wrapping." Many transit providers and other organizations find wrapping more cost effective and less damaging than custom painting. Matthews Specialty Graphics, based here in Greensboro, took Jennifer's design concept and produced and installed the wraps in less than a month's time.
     
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I believe I may have lost an item on a HEAT or GTA vehicle. How do I retrieve it?
If you lose a personal item on a HEAT or GTA vehicle, call GTA customer service at 335-6499. If possible, provide route information, bus number and the approximate time of loss. GTA will do its best to assist with the recovery of the item but is not liable for personal belongings left on vehicles.
     
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What is the fare to ride on HEAT?
Full-time, registered undergraduate students of the following institutions are qualified to ride HEAT on a fare-free basis: Bennett College, Elon University School of Law, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. All other students and the general public can ride HEAT for the regular GTA base fare of $1.10 per one-way trip. Discounts are available for all other qualified students and senior citizens; multi-ride passes also save you money. Visit the GTA website for complete details.
     
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Can I ride the other GTA routes, too?
Sure! If you qualify to ride HEAT at no charge, you can also ride the entire GTA system at no charge.
     
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How will the driver know that I ride for free?
Qualified students from Elon University School of Law, Greensboro College, Guilford College, North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro can use their school-issued identification card to board HEAT and GTA buses on a fare-free basis. Qualified students from Bennett College and Guilford Technical Community College will be issued a special fare card to ride HEAT and the entire GTA system on a fare-free basis.
     
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Why do certain students ride for free, and others have to pay?
HEAT is a joint project created as a partnership between Greensboro Transit Authority and its institutional partners. These schools have provided funding to allow their students access at no charge to them. If your school is not currently a partner, you can request that it join the HEAT partnership through your school's administration.
     
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