▼

Transportation

Show All Answers

1. How much does it cost to ride the V-Line?

Single rides on the V-Line cost $1.00. Students and seniors with an ID are $0.50. Half fare cards are available for those with qualifying disabilities. Monthly passes can be purchased at City Hall for $30/month.

2. Can I bring bags on a V-Line bus?

You may bring two personal bags on board V-line buses. Bags may not be placed on empty seats or in the aisles.

3. What is a V-Line deviation?

The V-Line is a deviated-fixed route. This means that our buses have set routes around town; however, they may 'deviate' or leave the route to drop off or pick up passengers. There are a few restrictions to the deviations. They cannot go further than 3/4 mile from the route, there can only be one deviation per hour, and deviations must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.

Deviation Application

4. How much does it cost to ride the ChicaGo DASH?

Single rides on the DASH are $8.00. 10-Ride passes are available for $70. Monthly (calendar months) are available for $230.

5. Where does the DASH pick up and drop off?

The ChicaGo DASH's Valparaiso station is located at 260 Brown Street. The DASH has three stops in downtown Chicago. There are stops at the following locations: intersection of Michigan/Randolph, intersection of LaSalle/Wacker, and 555 S. Franklin Street.

Station Maps

6. The DASH parking is full, where can I park?

There is ample overflow parking available within walking distance to the DASH pick-up in Valpo at 260 Brown street. Riders can park in the lower west lot for overflow or overnight parking.Please do not park on the end cap of the parking aisle. You may be towed or ticketed. There is also a parking garage located three blocks away at the Porter County Admin Building (155 Indiana Ave)

7. Who operates the DASH and V-Line?

The ChicaGo DASH and V-Line are both public transportation services provided by the City of Valparaiso. The City hires a contractor through a competitive bid process to operate the two services. Currently, Royal Excursion operates both the DASH and the V-Line. The contractor hires all drivers, performs maintenance on the vehicles, and oversees the day-to-day operation of the buses while the City handles all grant funding, marketing, and administrative duties.

8. Can I bring my pet on the bus?

Pets are prohibited on both the ChicaGO DASH and V-Line this includes pets on leashes, unleashed, in carriers, purses, or carried on an individual; however, individuals with a disability may be accompanied by a service animal.

9. Can I bring my bike on the bus?

There are bike racks on both the V-Line and Dash buses. They are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

10. Is my seat reserved?

Both the ChicaGO DASH and V-Line are first-come-first-serve services. To ensure your seat, it is always advised you arrive early at the pickup location/stop.

11. Can I be dropped off at another location along a route?

No. Buses stop at designated stops only. This is to ensure buses stay on time and stop only where it is safe to do so. The V-Line does do deviations which allow for a rider to be picked up or dropped off at another location off route (certain restrictions apply, see deviations page for more information).

12. Can I hire a bus as a charter?

No. Federal regulations prohibit our buses from running charter service.

13. Is alcohol allowed on the bus?

No. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on board any City of Valparaiso bus. Bringing alcohol on board a bus or being intoxicated is a violation of the Code of Conduct policy and may result in the person being removed from the vehicle or suspended from using the bus services.

14. Can I 'Flag' or 'Wave' down a V-Line Bus if I am alongside a street which the buses go down?

No. The V-Line only stops to pick up or drop off passengers at designated V-Line bus stops.

15. What is a V-Line Transfer, how do I use it?

Transfers are a way for riders to get from one area of town to another. For example, if you are picking up the Yellow Route on the west side of town, but would like to go to the Target on the east side of town, you could transfer from the Yellow Route onto the Green Route since the Yellow does not go to Target but the Green does. On your way back, you could then transfer from the Green to the Yellow. There are two transfer locations: The Heart Center on Roosevelt and at the corner of Indiana and Michigan.

16. Where can I buy a Monthly V-Line Pass? What do I get with a Monthly V-Line Pass?

Currently, V-Line monthly passes are only available at Valparaiso City Hall. Open M-F 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Each monthly pass is good for unlimited rides for one individual for the entire calendar month. Reduced fare passes are available for individuals with a disability. To be eligible for a reduced fare, riders must complete the reduced fare application which requires a signature by your doctor and submit it to the City of Valparaiso.

17. Can I 'Flag' or 'Wave' down a Transit Connect Bus if I am alongside a street which the buses go down?

No. The Transit Connect only stops to pick up or drop off passengers at 260 Brown street Parking lot or the Dune park South Shore Train Station at boarding locations only.

18. Can I schedule a deviation for a Transit Connect Bus?

No! This is an express bus service with no route stops. Deviations are not scheduled or permitted for this service.

19. Can I use my ChicaGO Dash or V-Line monthly pass to ride the South Shore Transit Connect?

Yes! your V-Line or Dash monthly pass will be valid for your fare on the Transit Connect buses. All part of the Valpotransit.com community.

20. How do I know if my pass is active on Token Transit?

Active passes will be displayed under “passes in use,” which immediately appears when the Token Transit app is opened.

21. Once Activated, how long do I have to use my single ride pass through Token Transit?

Single ride passes will expire 90 minutes from the time of activation.

22. Is there a record of expired passes on Token Transit?

Yes, you can view a log of your past actions by going to your Account Settings and selecting “History.” There will be a new entry every time you use a pass.

23. Can I have a receipt for my pass purchase on Token Transit?

Yes, but in order to do so, you will need to make sure that you include your email address when you register your account. Receipts will be sent to the email address associated with your account.

24. What if my phone battery dies while my pass is active on Token Transit?

You are responsible for keeping your phone charged while using your pass. Refunds will not be issued if your phone’s battery dies while your pass is active.

25. What happens if I loose my phone?

Your passes and payment information are linked to the account associated with your phone number. They are not linked to your physical phone. Logging in with your phone number on a new device will restore your previous pass and payment information.

26. Can I schedule a deviation for a V-Line Bus?

Yes! Anyone is eligible to schedule a deviation. You must complete the application prior to scheduling any deviations. Locations of the deviations must be 3/4 mile or less from a scheduled route and there can only be one deviation per hour. Deviation scheduling is on a first-come-first-serve basis. For the deviation application, CLICK HERE.

27. Is my credit card information secure on Token Transit?

All personal and credit card information is securely stored, using encrypted Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant servers.

28. I don’t have a credit or debit card; can I go to Valparaiso City Hall and pay with cash or check to pay for and load passes onto the Token Transit app?

The only form of payment accepted by Token Transit is credit, debit or a prepaid debit card. 

29. I am taking a group of students on a field trip; can I use the Token Transit app?

Yes, you can purchase more than one pass, but you will need to activate each individual ride using the Token Transit app.

30. Can I request a refund on Token Transit?

Passes are not transferable or replaceable. All sales are final. However, if you experience technical issues, please contact Token Transit at help@tokentransit.com.

31. When do I need an internet connection for the Token Transit App?

An internet connection is required in order to purchase your pass. An internet connection is also required to use your pass for the first time, and to refresh once each day if your pass is active for multiple days (e.g. monthly pass).

32. I need help with the Token Transit app; who can help me?

Should you experience any technical issues with the app, please contact Token Transit, at help@tokentransit.com, or by using the “help” section of the app, under account settings which will have Token Transit email and phone number. Transportation staff can assist you with other questions at 219-476-9393.