FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does one register to schedule a ride or trip?

How does one schedule a NL SmartRide trip if one does not have a smartphone to register the Spare app?

  • NL SmartRide customers without smartphones can schedule a trip by calling the special SEAT phone # 860-934-5234.

Does SEAT Customer Service know about NL SmartRide?

  • Yes

When is NL Smart Ride is service hours to transport customers door-to-door?

  • The NL Smart Ride service hours are 8AM to 8PM, Monday thru Saturday

Does each person in the family or group have to request their own ride through the app?  Or is there a way for one person to request a ride and then indicate that it will be 4 people at the one pickup spot all going to the same drop-off spot?

Will the SEAT customers (ridership) be allowed to acquire 2-Hr, daily, weekly, or monthly bus passes for NL (New London) SmartRide?

  • SEAT regular fares will apply when the Pilot Program is complete and NL SmartRide approved as permanent on-demand public transportation.
  • NL SmartRide 4-Hr, daily, weekly, or monthly bus passes will be available for purchase at that time.

Is the NL SmartRide ridership allowed free transfer to regional SEAT connections to travel outside New London?

  • No, SEAT transfers will be issued on the NL SmartRide buses during the Pilot Program because customers are not required to pay regular fare.
  • NL SmartRide customers will pay regular fares on other SEAT routes/connections.
  • Regular fares and free transfers will apply after the NL SmartRide Pilot Program is approved as permanent on-demand public transportation.

Is the NL SmartRide ridership allowed to transfer to CTTransit connections to travel outside New London?

  • No, there is no direct connection nor free transfers between CTTransit, NL SmartRide, and SEAT.
  • Regular fares and free transfers will apply after the NL SmartRide Pilot Program is approved as permanent on-demand public transportation.
  • SEAT allows direct connections and free transfers between 9-Town, Windham Region Transit District (WRTD), and Northeast Transit District (NE Transit District) at the NL Transportation Center located at Union Station, Norwich Transportation Center and Lisbon Landing respectively currently.

Is the NL SmartRide ridership including Seniors able to travel directly to banks, doctors’ appointments, groceries, pharmacies, etc. in neighboring communities like Groton, Montville, Waterford, etc.?

  • No, NL SmartRide was not designed to travel outside the City of New London.
  • NL SmartRide is not a regional public transportation system.
  • NL SmartRide ridership allowed including Seniors will have to transfer to connecting SEAT, 9-Town, Windham Region Transit District (WRTD), and Northeast Transit District (NE Transit District) routes at the NL Transportation Center located at Union Station, Norwich Transportation Center and Lisbon Landing respectively to travel to final destination (Groton, Montville, Waterford, etc.) is outside New London.

What kind of inter-city transportation service is NL SmartRide?

  • NL SmartRide is a Public Transit transportation shared ride service.

How old does a child have to be to travel on NL SmartRide without adult supervision?

  • There is no defined age for a child riding without adult supervision on Public Transit, but Public Transit operators expect a child to be able function without adult supervision.
  • Public Transit operators are NOT school bus operators and have not been trained as such.
  • If an operator felt that the child was not capable of being left alone, he/she/they would call for assistance, most likely will contact the New London Police Department.
  • NL SmartRide is a shared ride service, so a child might be riding with other adults as well

Is there a QR Code for the app to schedule NL SmartRide trips?

  • Yes, a person can Scan this QR code to pull up the SEAT Connect app on your smartphone…

What does a one do if the Google Play Store Spare App cannot be put on my device or a computer or workstation with this mail account?

  • Other than some Chromebooks which run the Google Play Store, apps from Google Play can’t be installed on most computers.
  • It is important to note, this error can appear when a person tries install an Android app on:
    • Your computer
    • An Android mobile device that isn’t linked to your Google Account
    • A non-compatible device
  • Try visiting the recommended app store for your device instead: i.e., Chrome Web Store

What does a one do when they try to install the Spare app on an Android phone or tablet?

First link to one’s Goggle account to your phone or tablet, though it is important to note, most apps from any Play Sore cannot be installed on computers other than some Chromebooks.

  • On your computer, go to Google Play.
  • At the top right, click your profile picture.
  • If you’re not signed in to the right account, click Sign out, then sign in again with the right account.
  • On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play Store app .
    • New device: If your device is new, sign in with your Google Account.
    • On a device you’ve added apps to before:
    • At the top right, tap your profile picture.
    • If you want to use a different account, tap the Down Arrow.
    • If the Down Arrow doesn’t appear, add the account you want to link to your device.
  • Search for the app you want to install on your device.
  • Tap Install.
  • After you install an app, your phone or tablet links to your Google Account. Within a few minutes, you can use your computer to install apps onto your device.

What does a one do when they try to install the Spare app onto KINDLE?

  • Apps from Google Play can’t be installed on Kindle devices.
  • Try visiting the recommended app store for your device, like the Amazon Appstore for Kindle.

Can the Spare App be installed onto a non-Android phone or tablet; i.e., iPhone, iPad, etc.?

  • Apps from Google Play can’t be installed on non-Android devices.
    • Try visiting the recommended app store for your device instead:
    • Apple iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPad
    • Amazon Appstore for Kindle
    • Windows Phone App Store
  • Additional Troubleshooting
    • If the problem persists, try the following.
    • Using a work or school account?
    • Give feedback about this article

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