If my connecting bus or plane is late, and I miss my bus, do I lose my ticket?
No. If you miss the bus due to flight connections, call our reservation center immediately and let us know. We will schedule you on the next available bus at no additional charge. Due to terminal security and regulations, as well as the other traveling passengers, we will not wait past the scheduled departure times. If you are aware that you will miss your bus ahead of time, you can log into your profile and make changes to your ticket as well.
What happens if my plans change and I can’t go on the bus I was scheduled to ride?
As long as you reschedule your ticket at least 24 hrs before departure, there are no additional fees. Rescheduling your ticket can be done online at northwesternstagelines.com or by contacting our reservation center. If you don’t know when you will be able to travel, a credit for the amount of the ticket price can also be added to your account. This credit is valid for 12 months. Processing fees may apply.
Do you cancel a schedule if you don’t have enough passengers?
No. We do not cancel schedules for limited passengers. However, there may be cancellations or delays due to road conditions. If there is a cancellation, we will reach out to you.
How much luggage am I allowed to take?
We allow two suitcases and a carry on. If you will have more luggage, odd or extra large size luggage (including skis/snowboards), these can be accommodated as well for an additional charge. Please contact our reservation center for special handling.
Can I bring a bicycle?
Yes. Please contact our reservation center ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate. Our preference is a 24 hour notice, but a shorter time frame may be accommodated as well. Additional charges apply.
I see that infants are free. What is the cutoff age?
Infants 24 months and younger are free. Children 25 months through 12 years are eligible for the child rate with a paid adult fare. Car seats may be required, depending on the vehicle type on any given schedule. NWS does not provide car seats, so please plan to bring one along.
What are the reservation center hours?
Though boarding location hours may vary, our reservation centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Feel free to contact us anytime!
Can I pay the driver or do I have to prepay?
Reservations can be made for cash paying customers by calling our reservation centers. However, seats are not guaranteed until full payment has been made. At the time of boarding, if there are still seats available, you may pay the driver on boarding. Exact cash payment is required.
Do I need a ticket? There is not time for you to mail me one.
No, we use electronic ticketing. Though you should have an electronic ticket at the time of boarding, it is not required. Your driver will also have a manifest that includes all passengers with reservations. If there is an issue locating your ticket, our driver will work with our reservations centers to locate your reservation.
What is the policy on children?
Customers may choose to allow a minor (under age 18) to travel with Northwestern Stage Lines unsupervised. However, there are stringent requirements within our “Child Policy”.
What is the policy on pets?
Under some circumstances, pets can travel with you. Please see our “Pet Policy” for more information.
Policies
If you still cannot find the information you’re looking for, feel free to call us for more information: (509) 838-4029.
Child Policy
Customers may choose to allow a minor child, under the age of 18, to travel with Northwestern Stage Lines unsupervised. All children traveling without an adult will be charged full adult fare. Northwestern Stage Lines will require the following from the parent/guardian; This information must be included on their reservation before it is processed:
- The names and phone numbers of the person dropping the minor off and also the person picking them up.
- Cell phone number of minor, if applicable. Cell phones are strongly recommended for children traveling alone, specifically if the child changes buses or has a layover in a connecting city.
In addition, children traveling on the bus should carry identification showing their name, address, home phone number, name and phone number of the person dropping them off and the name and phone number of the person who will be picking them up. Parents and guardians should review the details of the trip with their child prior to travel, including the bus route they will be riding and the locations where they will be getting on/off the bus. It is also suggested that this information is given to them in writing as there are a number of routes and connection points which may confuse a small child in the excitement of traveling. Persons picking up a child should coordinate a specific location at the destination point where they will meet the child. Children under 13 years old are never to be left unattended even if the person picking them up is in route. Our drivers are not responsible for underage children. The minor is responsible for getting on and off the bus at the right time and place. Our drivers are happy to guide or assist if asked but cannot supervise minors during the entirety of the trip. We want to be sure customers are aware of this.
Pet Policy
Pets are allowed to travel with a passenger for an additional fee. To book your travel with your pet or add your pet to your existing reservation, please call 509-838 4029 to speak with a customer service representative prior to your trip. Please read the below requirements to be prepared for travel with your pet.
- Individuals travelling with a pet must provide a pet carrier. The pet and carrier combined must weigh under 50lbs.
- The pet must be clean, well-behaved, quiet, and remain within the carrier at all times while in the vehicle.
- The pet carrier must be placed within the passenger’s single seating area. (ie. under the seat or in the passenger’s lap). If the size of the pet/carrier will require an additional seat, the passenger may purchase an additional seat for their pet at the child fare.
- Pets cannot travel by themselves or with unaccompanied minors.
- Northwestern Stage Lines reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any pet and may remove any pet exhibiting behavior that violates our policy.
- Service dogs are allowed to travel with the passenger as outlined by the ADA.
Northwestern Stage Lines reserves the right to change and/or modify the schedule of a passenger(s) travelling with a pet in the event that any other passenger and/or driver has allergic symptoms that could impair their health or comfort during travel.
Wheelchair Access
Northwestern Stage Lines is committed to providing equal access to transportation for all passengers. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available on any scheduled route upon receiving a reasonable accommodation request. The cost for an accessible vehicle is the same as a standard vehicle; there are no additional charges for accessible services. To ensure an accessible vehicle is reserved for your trip, please follow these steps:
- Complete a Reservation Online- Make a reservation for your desired schedule online by visiting northwesternstagelines.com. When selecting the passenger type on the first page. Select the number of passengers and mark the “Needs Wheelchair Lift” checkbox.
- Complete Reservation by Phone- Call our reservation center at 509-838-4029. While making a reservation with one of our customer service agents, please inform them that you will need a wheelchair lift. They will be able to take care of this request for you.
- If you have already made a reservation and need to add an ADA accommodation request, including a wheelchair lift, please complete and submit an Accessible Vehicle Request Form.
- You may complete this form with the assistance of a customer service representative over the phone, or
- Download the form, complete it, and email it to ada@busnws.com.
- (Click here to download the Accessible Vehicle Request Form)
- Confirmation of Request- After making a reservation online or by submitting the form, Northwestern Stage Lines will send an automated email receipt to confirm that your request has been received.
- If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact our reservation center immediately to ensure your request has been properly recorded.
- Additional Notes
- Only one form is required for round-trip reservations.
- If you need to make changes to your reservation, such as the date, time, or location, a new Accessible Vehicle Request Form must be completed and submitted..
Shipping Packages
Northwestern Stage Lines will transport packages from any of our regular scheduled stops to another regular scheduled stop. To check for a stop near you or to book a package shipment, please call our reservation centers at 509-838-4029.
Rules for shipping packages with Northwestern Stage Lines
- Packages are charged as 40% of the normal passenger ticket price and are subject to change based on demand and availability.
- Each package must weigh less than 50lbs. No Exceptions.
- Each individual item will be charged as a separate package.
- Bulky or oversized items will be subject to an additional $10 fee and require 24 hours notice.
- The driver will not wait for late packages under any circumstances.
- The individual picking up the package must be at the pick up location when the bus arrives. Packages cannot be left unattended at any location and will be sent back to one of our reservation centers. The recipient will be responsible for making arrangements to resend the package.
- All regular terms and conditions apply, including but not limited to the following:
- Northwestern Stage Lines shall not be responsible for any lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced freight. Delivery is not guaranteed for any freight item sent. Insurance is not available for freight. Customers are responsible to have freight clearly marked with a name and phone number. Northwestern Stage Lines reserves the right to open and/or inspect any item sent as freight. Proof of identification may be required for release of package.
Cash Reservations
Passengers are expected to pay their fares upon boarding the vehicle. Drivers will accept cash for fares. Checks will NOT be accepted by drivers. Passengers are NOT allowed to ride the bus without paying his/her fare each way.