Policies

SEAT BELT POLICY

The driver and all passengers are required to use seat belts. If a passenger refuses to wear his or her seat belt, the driver should call the dispatch office for further instructions.

Proof of a physician’s statement of a passenger’s inability to wear a seat belt must be shown to waive this requirement.

Passengers utilizing mobility devices including common and non-conventional wheelchairs will be required to have their mobility device properly secured with a six point tie down safety restraint system, including shoulder and lap belts. If the passenger is unable to wear a shoulder or lap belt due to a medical reason, then they must provide proof of a physician’s statement.

If a passenger is unable to fit within the seat belt due to size, then an extension will be utilized. If an extension is unavailable at the time of transport, the driver will ask the passenger to sit in the furthest back seat possible for their safety before transporting. They will also notify the Operations Manager so that a seat belt extension can be ordered.
 

ESCORTS/GUESTS

Personal care attendants are persons who are directly involved in the mobility assistance of their attendee and will be allowed to ride free of charge while accompanying their attendee. Generally, the following conditions would warrant a fare free attendant: immobility, disorientation, non-comprehension, and communication impairment, and others as recommended by the General Manager.

Personal care attendants are required to specifically assist the passenger. This assistant includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:

• Assisting the passenger from his/her door to the bus and back again;

• Opening doors;

• Pushing wheelchair to and from the vehicle;

• Carrying packages; and

• Communicating with the driver (if passenger is unable).

Any other person riding with a passenger will be considered a guest and will be required to pay full fare.

CHILD RIDER POLICY

It is the policy of C.A.R.R. to provide the most effective, efficient, safest, and uninterrupted transportation service. In providing this service it is necessary to establish policies that govern C.A.R.R.’s role and responsibilities in the transportation of children under the age of 15. All children must follow all rules, regulations, and policies. Violations of these rules by either the child or parent may lead to service suspension. These roles and responsibilities are as follows:

• All children who are under eight years of age are required to be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat unless the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height as State law mandates.
• Passengers traveling with infants, as their escorts will be required to provide their own infant carrier approved for use in vehicles.
• Children under 1 year of age should have child safety restraint facing seat.
• The passenger escorting the child will be responsible for placing the infant into the carrier and securing the carrier with a safety belt.
• An adult must accompany children under the age of fifteen (15). The General Manager must approve exceptions to this policy.
 

SERVICE ANIMALS & ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ANIMALS

Animals other than service animals as described are allowed to ride a C.A.R.R. vehicle in a secured pet travel carrier.

It is the policy of C.A.R.R. to allow service animals to accompany their owner without restraint. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal that is required to aid the owner and that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or retrieving dropped items.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 allows for the imposition of legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for the safe operation of C.A.R.R. C.A.R.R. can generally require use of a secured pet travel carrier for any animal that, in the opinion of the General Manager or his/her designee, is a health or safety hazard regardless of the kind of training it has received and what function it serves for its owner.

BACKING POLICY

No backing of C.A.R.R. vehicles is permitted, unless absolutely necessary.

MEDICAL OXYGEN FOR PERSONAL USE

Oxygen will be transported only when medically necessary. It will be in a cylinder maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The manufacturer’s instructions and precautions are usually printed on a label attached to the cylinder. Drivers will inspect each cylinder to assure that it is free of cracks or leaks, including around the valve area and pressure relief device. Drivers will also listen for leaks. Leaking, dented, gouged, or pitted cylinders will not be transported. Cylinders will be limited to the extent practicable. Cylinders will be secured to prevent movement and leakage. They will not be placed in aisle or sources of heat or potential sparks. Under no circumstances should smoking or open flames (cigarette lighter or matches) be permitted in the passenger compartment when medical oxygen is present.

CARRY-ON PACKAGES

Passengers shall limit their carry-on packages to not more than the equivalent of five (5) full brown paper grocery bags at one time unless they have an attendant traveling with them to load/unload the packages. Oversized packages will be refused for transport. Packages must be limited to no larger than a brown paper grocery bag. No one package shall weigh more than 20 pounds. Passengers must make other arrangements for delivery of any item larger than specified.