River Valley Transit’s (RVT’s) Dial-A-Ride program can provide curb-to-curb public transit service for all Lyme residents when their desired travel falls outside of its regular bus routes. Fares are $3.50 (one way) for most passengers; senior residents may be eligible to pay $1.75 or nothing all (details below). Some basic information on the program is provided below. For the full program details, residents should click here.
Program Basics
- Dial-A-Ride is a shared ride service, which means users may share a vehicle with other passengers and may not always be taken on a direct route to their destination.
- The program is open to all Lyme residents. No application is needed.
Application Process
- There is no application process for the Dial-A-Ride program.
- Reservations can be made by phone, online or through the RVT smartphone app. Full details can be found here (under the “Reservations” tab).
- When using the program for the first time, residents must establish an account with RVT by providing their name, mailing address, phone number and other information.
- Residents who would like to register for RVT’s senior-fare discount program will need to provide additional information. (Please note: Due to funding limitations, RVT is not currently registering new customers for its senior-fare discount program.)
Reservations
- Reservations must be made by 4:30 p.m. on the business day before the trip, but can be booked as early as two weeks prior.
Accessibility
- Many RVT vehicles have wheelchair lifts. Residents who require the use of a lift should notify RVT when scheduling their reservation.
Arrival Times & Boarding
- RVT vehicles will arrive within a half-hour window provided. Customers must be ready to board at any time during this 30-minute window.
Assistance
- The RVT vehicle operator is available to assist passengers on and off the vehicle.
- Assistance can also be provided to or from the front door of the point of origin or destination, upon request – provided the operator can maintain sight of the vehicle at all times.
Fares
- For the general public, the fare is $3.50 (one way).
- For older adults (60+) registered with the RVT senior-fare discount program, a donation of $1.75 is suggested. (Please note: Due to funding limitations, RVT is not currently registering new customers for its senior-fare discount program.)
Service Area
- The program can provide travel within Lyme, as well as between Lyme and the following towns, providing the travel falls outside of RVT’s regular bus routes: Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, Essex, East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.
- To find out if travel falls outside of RVT’s normal bus routes, residents can call 860-510-0429 or use the RVT Trip Planner by clicking here.
Hours of Operation
- The Dial-A-Ride service is available Mondays through Fridays, from 6:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., depending upon vehicle and operator availability.
[Information current as of August 2026]