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Sanitary District

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1. What does the Sanitary District charge for checking or cleaning the District main line and are there any restrictions on what the District can do for me?

There is no charge for the homeowner to have the District main line checked or cleaned. The District cannot work on the homeowner's or private sewer line, the line from the main to the home, nor will the District work in the private home. 

2. What are the hours I can call for Sanitary District assistance to check or clean the District main line servicing my home?

You may call the District, 24 hours a day, at 219-874-7799. You should keep in mind that, outside of normal daily working hours, there may be an additional delay to call a crew to respond to your call for service. Also, during storms, the District employees are usually extremely busy and delays in answering calls or providing service delays are possible. The District attempts to anticipate service requirements in storm events with stand-by crews. 

3. The drains in my house are plugged or draining slowly. What should I do?

If only one drain is draining slowly or plugged and all other drains are working well, it is most likely a problem you will have to handle yourself or obtain the services of a plumber or private sewer contractor. 

If several drains are plugged or draining slowly, the problem may still be one you must handle yourself, but you should call the Sanitary District at 874-7799 to check the District's main line for any possible blockage or obstruction.

4. I have a bad "sewer gas (odor)" smell in my home. What should I do?

The most common way sewer odor can enter your home is through sewer drains in your home. The drains that connect to your home have a trap, a "p" or "s" curve, in them that holds water and prevents sewer odor from coming into the home. Sometimes that trap in the drain dries out and allows sewer odor to enter. This happens most frequently in little used drains and more often in the colder months when heating the home causes dry air which allows evaporation of the water in the traps. Pour a gallon or two of water in each drain to replenish the water in the trap and ventilate the home to remove the odor. This usually solves the problem. If the problem persists, call the Sanitary District to check the District's main line for problems before calling a private sewer contractor. 

5. I have a problem with my sewer billing. Who should I call?

You should call the Sanitary District office at 219-874-7799 from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday thru Friday. The Emergency number cannot answer account or billing questions. 

6. I have water backing up into my home from my sewer drains. What should I do?

Call the Sanitary District at 219-874-7799 and request a check for possible blockage or obstruction in the District's main line. If there is a main line blockage or obstruction, in the District main alone, it will be cleared by the Sanitary District and your drains will resume normal function. If the Sanitary District crew does not find a blockage in the main line, or if your drains are not functioning properly after the District cleans the main line, they will advise you that the problem may be in the "private" or homeowner's line from the District main to the home. The Sanitary District is not permitted to work on that line. You will be advised to contact a private sewer contractor. Private contractors will charge you for their services. They are listed in the phone book under "Sewer Contractors". The Sanitary District may not recommend or contact a private sewer contractor for you. 

7. There is flooding in the street in front of my home or at an intersection near me during a storm event. Who should I call?

The Sanitary District is responsible for surface drainage from streets. You can report blocked street drains or flooding, after the storm has abated, to the District at 219-874-7799. Please keep in mind that during storm events the District must prioritize incoming calls and may not address surface drainage until after homeowner blockage or backup calls are completed. You are requested to wait with this type of call until after the storm has abated to allow the problems, with possibly overloaded sewer lines, to resolve themselves.

8. Do I have to be home when the Sanitary District checks the main line?

No. The Sanitary District crew will be checking the street or alley line only. They will then come to the door to advise the resident of the condition of the line. If no one is home, they will leave an informational card at the door. 

9. I am digging on my property. Can you tell me where the sewer line from my house to the District's main is located?

In most cases, the District does not know where the sewer line is located on private property. Several of the private sewer contractors listed in the telephone book have locating devices and will, for a fee, locate the private property sewer line. 

The homeowner should also be aware that Indiana law requires utility notification before excavation occurs. Call Indiana Underground Plant Protection Services at (800) 382-5544 at least 2 working days before you dig. This number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

10. I want to connect to the Sanitary District main sewer line. How do I go about this?

If you know that a residential sewer line is available in the street or alley near the property, you can contact the Sanitary District office at 219-874-7799 to discuss sewer availability tap fees and how to obtain a tap permit. You may also be required, by City Ordinance, to contact the Michigan City Inspection Department for additional permits and requirements. The Sanitary District requires: 1) a valid tap permit prior to the connection to the District main line; 2) that the actual connection to the District's main line be done by a private sewer contractor who is licensed by the City of Michigan City; and 3) that the contractor or homeowner notify the Sanitary District, 874-7799 during regular business hours, for a tap inspection, before the excavation at the main line is back-filled. Failure to obtain the tap inspection may result in additional costs to the contractor or homeowner to re-excavate the tap. 

Industrial, commercial, or residential service out of the City limits should contact the Sanitary District at 219-874-7799, during regular business hours, to discuss sewer availability and/or capacity at the proposed location.

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Transit

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1. How do I know which bus I should take?

Schedule and maps can be obtained from:

• Transit Department Office
• Michigan City Public Library
• Michigan City Controller’s Office at City Hall
• Indiana State Office for Family and Children
• LaPorte County Visitors Center in the Marquette Mall
• On all Michigan City Transit buses and vehicles

Schedules and Maps can also be viewed and downloaded on our website.

2. How do I request a new route or stop?

Michigan City Transit appreciates passenger feedback and suggestions to make our system better.  If you have a route or stop suggestion please call our office and we will be glad to talk with you about it.

3. Is the bus running late?

Due to traffic issues beyond the operators control the bus could be late. Route that our running late will be updated by operator with Customer Service at (219) 873-1502. Please note, the operator driving the route cannot be contacted to determine arrival times.

4. Does the wheelchair lift work?

MCT is committed to the mobility of all and is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Should the operator find that the buses lift is not operational at the time of need, another vehicle will be immediately dispatched.

5. Why doesn’t the buses run later each day or on Sunday?

This is a very complex question and answer. The department receives most of it operating funds from the Federal government. That funding amount is based on many factors which include population and annual ridership along with many others. The funds available to MCT limits us to the hours the system is currently operating.

6. Can you hold the bus?

No, our operators work very hard to maintain the published schedule to get our passengers where they need to get to on-time. Waiting for someone in a restroom is not practical.

7. When do the buses operate?

Buses operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM CST and on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM CST.

8. What if there is severe weather? How will I know if the buses are still running?

MC Transit will post weather alerts, delays, and service suspension on our website. You can also call the department at (219) 873-1502 during business hours to get information regarding severe weather.

9. Can I eat and drink on the bus?

Eating and drinking are not allowed on MCT buses. Sealed and wrapped food and beverages may be transported but not consumed.

10. What can I carry on the bus?

We ask that you please limit your personal property to what can be carried on in one boarding. All personal property must remain in your lap or under your seat. Passengers personal property is never allowed in a seat.

11. How much does it cost to ride a MCT bus?

Full adult fare is $1.00

Children age 5 and under are Free

Students 6-18 years of age is $0.50

Senior citizens with ID and ADA passengers are $0.50

12. How do I buy a monthly pass?

Monthly passes can be obtained in the City Controller's Office, located in City Hall at 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN 46360.

13. What is the cost of a monthly pass?

Monthly Full Fare/Unlimited ride passes are $20.00

Monthly Senior, ADA and Student/Unlimited ride passes are $10.00

14. Does the operator have change?

No, our operators do not carry or have the ability to make change, regardless of the size of currency a passenger may have. Making change creates longer than desired boarding times and carrying money creates an unsafe situation for our operators.

15. Can I pay my fare with cash on the bus?

Yes, you can pay the fare on the bus by placing the EXACT fare into the fare machine. Operators do not carry ANY currency or coin to make change.

16. What happens if I leave something on the bus?

MCT is not responsible for any lost items. However, our operators conduct regular sweeps of the bus. Items found are immediately reported. Items are then turned in to the lost and found. The lost item can then be claimed the next business day at Michigan City Transit Office located at 1801 Kentucky Street, Michigan City, IN 46360. Unclaimed items are destroyed after 30 days.

17. How do I apply for the Dial-A-Ride ADA Paratransit?

Dial-A-Ride Passengers must meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. In order to apply for eligibility, individuals must do the following: complete the Dial-A-Ride application, which is available online or by calling customer service at (219) 873-1502; and have a doctor complete the professional verification form. Once these steps are complete, Michigan City Transit will determine an individual’s eligibility and notify the individual of the decision.