TARTA questions/help

I'm about to become a first time TARTA customer. (Live in Sylvania, work downtown. Don't really care to continue spending $50+ a week in gas just to get back and forth to work. Buying a monthly bus pass will save me at least $200 a month, not to mention saving the wear and tear on my vehicle.)

Anyhow, my experience with public transportation is pretty limited...just riding subways while on vacation. I've never really used a bus system before.

Anyone have any pointers on navigating TARTA? Seems like they have many routes that depart near my residence...I'm just having trouble deciding which one would work best. The route maps and info on TARTA's website are a little confusing...I'm fine with understanding the outlying routes, but "the loop" downtown is looks a little confusing. Probably looks worse on paper than it actually is in person, but I'm still a little intimidated to try navigating it for the first time!

Does TARTA provide assistance to help a confused rider figure out which route is best to take? (Either someone you can call, or even just asking the bus driver for help.) Anyone have any pointers?

Thanks for your help. :)