EXPLAINER — TRANSPORTATION & ACCESS

A Rockland guide to TOR, TRIPS, and the difference between them.

The names sound as if they should be interchangeable. They are not. TOR is the bus you go to; TRIPS is a shared ride you must qualify for and arrange in advance.

TOR is the fixed-route bus system

Transport of Rockland, or TOR, is the County’s local bus network. It runs 10 routes along established roads and stops. You do not need disability certification or an advance reservation: check the route and schedule, go to the stop, and board the bus.

The County says every TOR bus is ADA compliant and equipped with a lift or ramp. That describes the vehicle, not necessarily the entire trip. A rider may still have trouble reaching a stop, waiting there safely, boarding, or navigating the route. See TOR routes and schedules ↗

TRIPS is shared transportation by appointment

TRIPS provides shared rides by appointment within Rockland County for eligible residents who cannot use—or have serious difficulty using—municipal fixed-route buses. A vehicle may make several pickups and drop-offs. Think public transportation with a reservation, not a taxi, private car, or guaranteed same-day ride.

ADA TRIPS is the federally required level of paratransit for people whose disabilities prevent them from using municipal fixed-route buses under particular circumstances. Eligibility turns on what a person can functionally do, not simply a diagnosis or parking permit. The County says completed applications are generally processed within 21 days, although it may need more information or an in-person assessment. Once certified, a rider may request a trip when both endpoints are within three-quarters of a mile of a municipal fixed route. The service runs on the same days and hours as the corresponding route. Review ADA TRIPS eligibility and the application ↗

Regular TRIPS serves Rockland residents age 60 or older and residents with physical, developmental, or mental disabilities who find fixed-route buses difficult or impossible to use. Its reach can extend beyond the ADA corridor, but rides are offered only as space is available. The County lists weekday service from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. and limited Saturday service from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Applicants must be certified and receive a TRIPS photo ID before requesting rides. Review Regular TRIPS eligibility and applications ↗

Are TOR and TRIPS free right now?

As of August 26, 2026, the County’s fares and passes page ↗ says fare collection remains waived on both TOR and TRIPS. The page also publishes the ordinary fare schedule, so treat this as a current waiver—not a promise that fares have disappeared permanently—and recheck before traveling.

A current alert may still need a second check

The County’s transit-alert page ↗ remained useful on August 26—but one notice had not caught up with events. Its TOR #59 alert still described the Route 59 bridge in Spring Valley as closed even though the roadway reopened to vehicles on August 25. The alert may still reflect an unresolved bus detour, but it should not be read as confirmation that the bridge itself remains closed. For a trip affected by construction or an emergency, check the alert and call transit information.

The simplest distinction is this: TOR is the open fixed-route system. ADA TRIPS is protected paratransit tied closely to fixed-route hours and geography. Regular TRIPS reaches a broader eligible group and area, but only when space is available.

This explainer cannot determine individual eligibility, current ride availability, the outcome of an application, or whether a particular address falls within the ADA corridor. Published accessibility features do not establish that every stop or trip is usable for every disability. Fares, schedules, alerts, and rules can change.

Sources: Rockland County Department of Public Transportation’s TOR, TRIPS, application, fare, contact, and transit-alert pages. Public pages checked August 26, 2026.