Bus Services (Monroe Transit)
The Monroe Transit System, operated by the City of Monroe, provides public mass transportation to the citizens of Monroe, Louisiana. The system offers Fixed Route and Complementary Paratransit (ADA) services.
The Fixed Route service operates on a pulse system for rides and transfers. Buses arrive at the Downtown Terminal every 50 minutes, starting at 6:00 am Monday through Saturday.
View Routes & Schedules
The Monroe Transit System offers paratransit service within 3/4 mile of all fixed routes.
Paratransit is an origin to destination transportation service for passengers who are unable to use fixed bus Monroe bus routes due to a disability.
All paratransit passengers must be approved by Monroe Transit prior to scheduling a trip. For your convenience, the application (to be completed by you and your physician) and the eligibility criteria is available on this website through the link below. The Paratransit Rider’s Guide is also available below. This guide explains the application process, rules and regulations, and how to use the paratransit service. All paratransit passengers should be familiar with this guide prior to using our service.
Monroe Transit operates Monday through Saturday from 6:00 am through 6:30 pm. Buses do not operate on Sundays, New Year's Day, MLK Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Forth of July, Veterans Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Bus passes may be purchased either on your mobile device or at MTS Transportation Centers located at 700 Washington St or 207 Catalpa St. If you wish to make a purchase using your mobile device, click here.
Monroe Transit: the Nations' Oldest Publicly Owned Transportation System
Since 1906, Monroe Transit, the nation’s oldest publicly owned transportation system, has been continuously owned and operated by the City of Monroe. Over 100 years after its inception, Monroe Transit remains the public transportation provider to the City, offering fixed route and paratransit services. For more information about MTS’ rich history, click here.
Monroe Transit Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal
Monroe Transit has established a Disadvantaged Business (DBE) Program (PDF) in accordance with regulations of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), 49 CFR Part 26. Monroe Transit proposes a 10.11% DBE participation goal for FY 2023-2026.
- Please click the link to review the DBE goal document.
- Please click the link to view the DBE goal presentation.
Monroe MPO, in coordination with the City of Monroe’s Transit System
Monroe Transit and Ouachita Council of Governments (OCOG) continue relationship in the development of the Monroe Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Connecting Ouachita 2045) and the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) put together by the Monroe Metropolitan Planning Organization in accordance with 23 CFR Part 450 Subpart C.
View the Monroe Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Connecting Ouachita 2045)
Click the link above and scroll to the bottom half of this pageView the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)
Click this link above (Highway Element begins on page 20)
Want to share feedback with Monroe Transit or have a question or comment? Please call us at 318-329-2506, visit us on Facebook, or ask your bus driver!
Each Monroe Transit bus is equipped to hold two bicycles. Paratransit vehicles are not equipped for bikes. There is no extra cost or special certification required to use the bicycle racks, and they are available on a “first come, first served” basis.
How to transport your bike:
- If there are no other bikes on board the bus, load your bike into the front slots of the bike rack.
- Exit from the front door and remind the driver that you will be getting your bike. Please fold up the bike rack as you leave if there are no other bikes.
Bikes left on buses are held at the Administrative Building. To claim a lost bike, call 329-2506 to set a pick-up appointment between 9am and 4pm. Bikes can be held for only 10 days due to space constraints.
For more information about bikes and transit, contact Monroe Transit at 329-2207
Want to share feedback with Monroe Transit or have a question or comment? Please call 318-329-2506, visit us on Facebook, or ask your bus operator!
MTS History
Monroe Transit System 1906
Monroe Transit has a long, rich history. In 1903, at the urging of Mayor A.A. Forsythe, the Monroe City Council voted to begin the first municipal railroad in the United States. The city awarded a $100,000 contract to the Westinghouse Electrical Co. in 1904 to build the city-owned street railway. Construction began in May of 1905 but was later delayed due to a Yellow Fever epidemic.
On June 11, 1906 Mayor Forsythe, city officials, and prominent Monroe residents made the first official run of the Monroe Municipal Street Railway. Revenue service on the four lines began June 15, 1906. By this time, West Seattle, WA had already begun the first municipally owned street railway, making Monroe the second in the U.S. to introduce this new model of public transportation.
The street railway continued to operate until 1938. Although many extensions were made to the railway throughout its operation, Monroe was expanding, making buses a more economical and practical option. The final streetcar ran down the Lee Avenue line on August 21, 1938 and the evolution of Monroe Transit as the modern transportation system we know today had officially begun.
Green Initiatives Promote "Clean Air For Our Future"
Over the past decade, Monroe Transit has claimed a leadership role in the green movement by utilizing greener technologies and cleaner fuel. There are 20 state-of-the-art buses in our fleet, all of which are fueled by an environmentally friendly biodiesel blend. In 2009, Monroe Transit introduced the system's first hybrid bus, reflecting the city's pride in providing the community with the best transit system possible in a manner that protects our air quality in the future.
Monroe Transit: Striving for Excellence with Enhanced Rider Experience and Expanded Services
Monroe Transit has achieved remarkable success, witnessing a significant increase in ridership of over 80% throughout the past decade. This achievement earned Monroe Transit a prestigious accolade at the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2008 Success in Enhancing Ridership Annual Awards Banquet held in Washington, D.C.
The FTA’s award program acknowledges exemplary practices in the transit industry that contribute to the expansion of ridership. Selected from a pool of over 800 eligible transit systems nationwide, Monroe Transit was among the ten honored recipients. Within the small urban category, which encompasses systems serving populations ranging from 50,000 to 200,000, Monroe Transit was proudly distinguished as one of the top three systems in the country.
This recognition positions Monroe Transit as a model and an inspiration for transit systems across the nation, highlighting the dedication and innovative strategies that have propelled their success.
