California enacted a child safety seat law that took effect on January 1, 2017.   All ESTA passenger vehicles fixed with seat belts require the use of seat belts for the driver and all passengers.  This includes all dial-a-ride passengers.  The law (VC 27318) requires the following...

1. The driver, before departure of a bus carrying passengers, to inform the passengers to buckle up.  The vehicle to have signs informing the passengers of the requirement.
2. A sign will be affixed to the interior of the vehicles to remind passengers of the law.  If an adult does not have the proper child securement device for a child, the child may not ride the ESTA vehicle. Again, this applies only to vehicles fixed with seat belts.

These are the laws regarding children:

Children Under Eight Years Old

California law requires that all children under the age of eight be secured:
• in an “appropriate” child passenger restraint system that meets federal standards
• in a seat that is not in the front next to the driver.
The appropriateness of a car seat usually depends on the age and size of the child.  But generally, it’s going to be one of three types: rear-facing, forward-facing, or a booster seat.  However, for children who are 4’ 9” or taller, the law requires only a seatbelt. (Read about the different types of safety seats and restraints.)
(Cal. Veh. Code §§ 27360(a), 27363(d) (2017).)

Children Under Two Years Old

California enacted a new child safety seat law that took effect on January 1, 2017. The legislation requires all children who are under two years old to be secured:

• in a rear-facing car seat that meets federal standards
• in the back seat, and
• in a manner that complies with the seat manufacturer’s height and weight specifications.

The rear-facing child seat requirement doesn’t apply for children weighing 40 pounds or more or who are 40 inches or taller. (Cal. Veh. Code § 27360(a) (2017).)

• On public transit, children under two years old may be held by a parent or guardian if the vehicle does not have seatbelts. 

Children Between Eight and 16 Years Old

With children who are at least eight but less than 16 years old, drivers are responsible for ensuring the child is secured in an appropriate child seat or seatbelt.  For many kids in this age range, a seatbelt—rather than a car seat—is the appropriate type of restraint. (For more information on choosing the right car seat, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.)
(Cal. Veh. Code § 27360.5 (2017).)

Exceptions

A court can make an exception to any of the child safety restraint laws when application of the law would be impractical because of a child’s:

• physical unfitness
• medical condition, or size

And generally, a driver is excused from placing a child who is under eight years old in the back seat (see requirement above) when:

• there is no back seat
• the rear seats are side-facing jump seats
• the back seats are rear facing
• the child seat can’t be installed properly in the back seat
• all the rear seats are occupied by children under the age of eight, or
• medical reasons require that the child ride in a front seat.

A rear-facing car seat can’t, however, be put in the front seat when there are active front passenger airbags. (Cal. Veh. Code § 27363 (2017).)

ESTA is a viable alternative for customers with disabilities as all buses are wheelchair accessible, equipped with either low-floor ramps or lifts.

Once on board, priority seating behind the driver is available for customers with disabilities.   In addition, securement locations are available for customers who use wheelchairs.  ESTA also provides ADA Customer Service Training for our bus operators, and they are available to assist people with disabilities.  View and download ADA Paratransit Eligibility Policy & Application (below).

An ADA personal care attendant may ride without fare.  Please notify Eastern Sierra Transit Authority at the time of travel arrangements that a personal care attendant will be traveling with you.

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities.

Well-behaved pets that are muzzled and leashed, or in a carrier are welcome aboard ESTA buses.  Service animals are also welcome aboard ESTA buses and are governed by the rules in the ESTA Service Animal Policy.

Racks will hold many wheel and frame sizes. Bicycles with wheels from 20 to 29 inches in diameter generally fit; recumbent bikes do not. Please let us know if you are traveling with a bike so as to assure space.

*Vans are not equipped with bike racks.

We offer these links to help you find connecting transit services, transportation options, and resources to help you explore the Eastern Sierra.

Transit

• Yosemite Area Regional Transit System
• Reno/Tahoe International Airport
• Greyhound Bus Lines
• Amtrak California
• Amtrak (National)
• Kern Regional Transit
• MetroLink

The Eastern Sierra

• 395.com
• Mono County Tourism and Film Commission – The Mono County Tourism and Film commission is a great resource for travel, tourism, and local information.

The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority has adopted several holidays to be observed by employees.  ESTA bus services may operate on many of these holidays in some or all of our communities.  The observed holidays are:  New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  For information on whether a particular bus service will be operational on a specific holiday, please call: 760-872-1901 ext 22

Please also review our News to get updates on holiday closures.

2023-24 Holiday Schedule:

President’s Day, Monday, February 19, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11, 2024, Eastern Sierra Transit will be operating a reduced schedule. The following routes will operate:

• 395 Routes North to Reno and South to Lancaster
• Lone Pine to Bishop 6:10am, 11:45am, & 5:00pm
• Bishop to Lone Pine 8:45am, 1:15pm, & 6:20pm
• Mammoth to Bishop 7:50am, 2:15pm, 5:15pm, & 7:05pm
• Bishop to Mammoth 6:45am, 7:25am, 1:10pm, & 6:10pm
• Bishop Dial-A-Ride Limited Service – Priority will be given to Seniors and those with Disabilities
• All Services in the Town of Mammoth

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Day After Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29, 2024, Eastern Sierra Transit will be operating a reduced schedule. The following routes will operate:

• 395 Routes North to Reno and South to Lancaster
• Lone Pine to Bishop 6:10am, 11:45am, & 5:00pm
• Bishop to Lone Pine 8:45am, 1:15pm, & 6:20pm
• Mammoth to Bishop 7:50am, 2:15pm, 5:15pm, & 7:05pm
• Bishop to Mammoth 6:45am, 7:25am, 1:10pm, & 6:10pm
• Bishop Dial-A-Ride Limited Service – Priority will be given to Seniors and those with Disabilities
• Night Rider
• All Services in the Town of Mammoth

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2025, all services will be closed except those within the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

The buses have cargo room, but we ask riders to limit baggage to one bag plus a carry-on. ESTA can also accommodate strollers.  Space is limited.

Online tickets must be paid when the reservation is made.  To make arrangements to pay the driver on the day of travel call 760.872.1901 ext 2.   

Online reservations must be booked before midnight PST/PDT of the day of travel (example: book by 11:59pm on Monday for travel on Tuesday).  For same-day travel arrangements please call 760.872.1901  ext 2.

Click Here to Make a Reservation

Walk-on service is available the day of travel on a first-come, first served basis.   Please have exact cash fare.  The driver does not carry change.

General Terms and Conditions:

• **Please Arrive 10 minutes prior to Departure Time**
• When reserving and paying for travel with Eastern Sierra Transit, you agree to and accept the full terms and conditions associated with the travel. Go to https://www.estransit.com/how-to-ride/ for more information.
• ESTA will not be held responsible for your personal belongings. ESTA cannot be held responsible for loss, theft or damage to any of your personal belongings, regardless of the circumstances.
• ESTA will not be held liable for delays due to breakdowns, weather, or other conditions beyond our control.
• All reservations and tickets expire on the date and time of travel posted on the ticket. Tickets and reservations are non-transferable. Cancellations made in advance are subject to a 20% processing fee when issuing a refund.

Fares can be paid directly to the Driver on all routes and both tickets and passes can always be purchased from drivers.

CASH FARES:  If you are paying with cash, please have the exact fare.  For security reasons drivers do not carry or make change.  

Credit card payments can be made on the Reno and Lancaster routes only.

Tickets and passes are also available for purchase at our Bishop and Mammoth Lakes offices. ESTA accepts Visa, Master Card, or Discover for advanced purchase with a minimum charge of $6.

Multiride passes for Dial-a-Ride and Town-to-Town routes can be purchased online on the Buy-My-Pass page.

Advanced Payment for tickets and passes may be made with a credit card by calling the Bishop office at 760.872.1901 ext. 22.  The full fare will be charged at the time of sale.  The reservation can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the time of reservation for a 20% cancellation fee.

Partially Used Tickets are tickets that were not used to reach a final destination.  When a rider opts to disembark at a stop short of a destination, thereby not completing the purchased trip on a one-way ticket, no portion of that ticket is refundable.

Late Bus and Missed Connections  While ESTA makes every effort to provide on-time service, it does not guarantee its departure and arrival times, which may be affected by any number of factors including weather, traffic, or mechanical problems.  ESTA is not liable for expenses incurred as a result of delay.

All ESTA passengers are expected to exhibit appropriate social behavior while on the bus, interacting with the drivers or with other passengers. Behavior that distracts the driver or annoys other passengers is not permitted.

This behavior includes but is not limited to: Smoking, Drinking, Eating, Littering, Abusive Language, Loud Music, Vandalism, Spitting and Leaving Seats While Vehicle is in Motion.

Any behavior or action that creates a safety or health issue or danger is not allowed on the bus.

Solicitation is not allowed on ESTA vehicles.