CAT: Bus: Chartering

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Transit Etiquette and Rules of Conduct

We have enjoyed having some new riders to our system and feel this is a good opportunity to communicate some policies we have regarding the use of our facilities. We want every rider to have a pleasurable experience on our busses, vans and streetcars and at our facilities. This list is not inclusive. If you have a question about anything, please ask the Operator or a Supervisor. Please follow the instructions of the Operator at all times. For the exclusive list, please refer to “The Rules of Conduct and Inappropriate conduct Transit Exclusion Procedure”

Please yield priority seating areas when requested by persons with disabilities or the Operator on their behalf.

There is no eating or drinking on the bus.

Use of audio devices is allowed as long as they are used with earphones and can only be heard by you.

If seats are available, you must be seated when the bus is in motion. If there are no available seats, you may stand. If standing you must stay behind the standee line so as not to interfere with the operator and hold onto a stanchion post while the bus is in motion.

Be considerate when bringing packages on board. Generally, they should be in your lap. If that is not possible, store them where they do not block the aisles.

Bringing on board any non-collapsible stroller, baby buggy or cart which blocks the aisle and restricts free movement of passengers. Children must be removed from the stroller/buggy/cart and held in passenger’s lap.

Cell phones may be used, but be considerate of those around you. Keep your conversations short and at a low volume so that you do not affect the other passengers or the Operator.

Loud, profane, indecent or otherwise disorderly conduct is prohibited.

Please do not distract the Operator with unnecessary conversation.

When you need to top, pull the cord and the Operator will stop at a safe location, normally a bus stop.

Always have the correct cash fare, pass, rider card, or CATA ID (if required) ready when boarding as our Operator does not make change.

Smoking or use of the tobacco products is not permitted in any of our vehicles.

Drinking alcoholic beverages or having open containers of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in CATA vehicle.

Assaulting or threatening other passengers or CATA employees is not allowed.

Only service animals assisting those with disabilities are allowed on CATA vehicles.

Note: All CATA property, including vehicles, is subject to electronic surveillance and monitoring, both video and audio.

The Travel Center is provided for the use of CATA passengers who are boarding, disembarking, or waiting on a CATA vehicle. Other uses are strictly prohibited.

Passengers in the Travel Center should always take the next bus available to their destination.

Persons waiting to meet passengers at the Travel Center should leave promptly after the arrival of their party.

Persons in the Travel Center must identify to any CATA employee or representative the vehicle they are waiting to meet.

Loud boisterous, and disorderly behavior is not allowed at the Travel Center.

Smoking and use of tobacco products is not allowed inside the Travel Center.

Drinking alcoholic beverages, possessing open containers of alcoholic beverages, sale or use of illegal substances, is not permitted at the Travel Center.

CATA will prosecute anyone who steals or willfully damages, defaces or destroys CATA property.

Unauthorized canvassing, selling, soliciting or distributing any material on any CATA property or vehicles is strictly prohibited.

Threatening, harassing, stalking or assaulting another passenger or CATA employee is not allowed and law enforcement authorities will be called.

Use of cell phones is permitted, however, please be courteous and do not disrupt other passengers with loud, boisterous or profane language while using the phone.

Electrical outlets are for the use of passengers with wheelchairs to charge batteries. Other usage is not allowed.

CATA has a policy that allows the company to ban chronic and repeat offenders from using CATA facilities and vehicles. You may obtain a copy of this policy from the Travel Center, at CATA’s main office, or from a CATA supervisor. We want to always ensure passenger safety and comfort. If you have any questions or comments, please see a CATA Supervisor or an employee at the travel Center. Should you have a complaint or wish to comment on the service, please contact the main CATA Office at:

Central Arkansas Transit Authority
901 Maple Street
North Little Rock, AR 72114
Telephone: 501-375-6717, FAX: 501-375-6812

Note: All CATA property, including vehicles, is subject to electronic surveillance and monitoring, bothe video and audio.

Rules of Conduct and Inappropriate
Conduct Transit Exclusion Procedure

CENTRAL ARKANSAS TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Rules of Conduct and Inappropriate
Conduct Transit Exclusion Procedure
Adopted by CATA February 4, 2010

1. Purpose
It is the mission of Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) through the efforts of dedicated, well-trained employees, to provide safe, reliable, convenient, and efficient public transportation to the citizens and visitors of the CATA service area. CATA has established this Policy to promote the safety and comfort of its riders, to facilitate the proper use of transit facilities and services, to protect transit facilities and employees, and citizens, to assure the payment of fares and to ensure that CATA vehicles and facilities are safe, welcoming and provide equitable access for CATA passengers. Responses to inappropriate and/or illegal conduct are outlined here.

No individual man engage in inappropriate conduct on, at or in the facilities of CATA, including at Transfer Points, in shelters, at bus or trolley stops, and at administrative, operational, and maintenance facilities, or on buses or streetcars used to provide CATA fixed route or paratransit services.

Inappropriate or threatening conduct includes any individual or group activity which is disruptive or injurious to other individuals lawfully using CATA facilities or services; damaging or destructive to transit facilities or services; or disruptive, harassing, threatening or injurious to transit employees and customers. Inappropriate conduct may also constitute a violation of an ordinance, state or federal law. The fact that an individual is or is not charged or convicted of an incident of inappropriate conduct does not bar investigation and/or exclusion under this Policy.

The term “facilities” means all property and equipment of CATA, including, without limitation, inside and outside areas of CATA property, bus or streetcar shelters, bus or streetcar stops, transfer points, signage and buses, vans or streetcars used to provide CATA Transit service.

The term “CATA facilities” includes both the public and non-public areas of CATA facilities.

The term “public area” of CATA facilities includes those portions of facilities tat are open for public use for transit or transit related purposes.

The term “transit services” means fixed route bus service, streetcar service and paratransit service.

For any of the following inappropriate conduct on CATA vehicles, passengers will be given a first warning by the vehicle Operator not to engage in the conduct. Vehicle Operators shall complete a report of the incident to their Supervisors prior to ending their assignments that day. If further warning by the Vehicle Operator is necessary for failure of the passenger to comply, a CATA Supervisor may be contacted and may be called to the scene by the Operator. The Supervisor is authorized to and may ask the passengers(s) to leave the vehicle. An individual who declines to leave a vehicle, after being ordered to do so by the CATA Supervisor is subject to arrest and prosecution for trespassing and or disorderly conduct. Continuous repeat infractions may result in exclusion from buses for not less than 7 days or more than 6 months. See Section VI, Exclusion Procedure.

Refusing to vacate designated front seats and designated wheelchair areas in vehicles for senior citizens and people with disabilities when requested by those person or by the driver on their behalf.
Eating or drinking with the exception of vehicle operators who have permission to do so when vehicles are not in motion.
Using an audio device (e.g. portable radio, tape, CD player, TV, etc.), unless such equipment is used with earphones so that sound is limited to that person only.
Refusing to be seated while the vehicle is in motion if a seat is available or standing in front of the standee line at the front of the vehicle near the driver’s seat when the vehicle is in motion.
Only service animals that assist those with disabilities may be brought on vehicles. Animals must be under control of the passenger at all times.
Bringing on-board any non-collapsible strollers, baby buggies or carts which block the aisle and restrict the free movement of passengers. Children must be removed from the stroller/buggy and held in the passenger’s lap.
Bringing on-board any bags of empty aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles or any material that has an offensive odor.
Bringing on-board any packages, bags or articles that cannot be held in the lap of the passenger, other than bags of groceries. Bags of groceries, if not held in the lap of the passenger, may not block the aisle or restrict the free movement of passengers.
Engaging in indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which such conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance. This is not intended to prohibit ordinary conversation between passengers in normal conversational tones.
Engaging in indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conversations while using a cell phone in which such conversations are disturbing other passengers or affect the Operator’s ability to operate the vehicle.
Having distracting conversations with CATA Vehicle Operators.
Engaging in unauthorized canvassing, selling , soliciting or distributing any material on-board vehicles.
Changing a child’s diaper.
Exhibiting inappropriate personal hygiene, i.e., an individual whose bodily hygiene is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other passengers.
Boarding unattended minors: children five years of age and under must be closely accompanied at all times by an older responsible individual.
Hanging or swinging from stanchions or other vehicle equipment with feet off the floor.
Hanging out, reaching out, or putting anything out of vehicle windows.
Willfully refusing to pay a fair, or show specific fare media (pass, ride card, transfer or CATA ID if required) to the vehicle operator.
Using or bringing a Segway (or like device) on the vehicle.
Otherwise disorderly or inappropriate conduct which is inconsistent with the orderly and comfortable use of transit vehicles for their intended purpose.

The following conduct is prohibited in all CATA facilities, including but not limited to, buses, streetcars, transfer points, and bus or streetcar shelters except as specifically limited below. Any individual observed engaging in the conduct may be told by a Vehicle Operator or Supervisor or other authorized individual to leave the facilities immediately and may be subject to arrest by proper authorities. The Operator is authorized to request police assistance if necessary. Operators shall complete a report of the incident to their Supervisors prior to ending their assignments that day. These offenses may also subject passenger(s) to the Exclusion Procedure described in Section VI. Further legal action may be taken as applicable and appropriate.

Smoking or using any tobacco products on CATA vehicles or inside CATA facilities. (See Section V below concerning lighting an incendiary device: e.g. match, lighter, or torch).
Fighting
Gambling or solicitation.
Bringing any items of a dangerous nature onboard vehicles or inside any CATA facility, including but not limited to: weapons (firearms, knives or swords); flammable liquids; dangerous, toxic or poisonous substances; vessels containing caustic materials, chemicals, acids or alkalis.
Behavior that is disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to CATA passengers or employees.
This includes following or stalking passengers or employees.
Causing sounds that are unreasonable and highly disruptive of other individuals using CATA facilities or services, including but not limited to: prolonged loud, abusive, indecent, profane or drunken conduct.
Rover-skating, roller-blading, or skateboarding on CATA property.
Drinking alcoholic beverages or possessing open containers of alcoholic beverages.
Otherwise disorderly or inappropriate conduct which is inconsistent with the safe and orderly use of transit facilities for their intended purpose.

The following conduct in all CATA vehicles and facilities, including buses, streetcars, transfer points, and shelters will be cause for police intervention, arrest and/or prosecution. An emergency situation can be defined as any situation in which and individual’s actions present an imminent danger to the life or safety of him/her self or others, or to CATA property. The Vehicle Operator is authorized to request police assistance. Operators shall complete report of the incident to their Supervisors prior to ending their assignments that day. An individual found to have engaged in any of the following activities will be excluded from transit facilities and/or services pursuant to the process in Section VI, Exclusion Procedure.

Use of counterfeit or stolen fare media (pass, transfer, ride card, or CATA ID).
Assault or threat of assault.
Stealing or willfully damaging, defacing or destroying CATA property. CATA will prosecute anyone who steals or willfully damages, defaces or destroys CATA property.
Lighting an incendiary device (e.g. match, lighter, torch).
Obstructing or interferieng with the Operator’s safe operation of the vehicle.
Indecent exposure.
Entering or remaining on CATA vehicles and inside CATA facilities after having been notified by and authorized individual not to do so, or boarding or remaining on CATA vehicles during the period when an individual has been banned from the premises. See NON-COMPLIANCE WITH EXCLUSION ORDER (VIII).

The River Cities Travel Center exists for the convenience of passengers.

No person shall occupy or use any CATA facility except for the purpose of boarding, disembarking, waiting for a CATA vehicle, or conducting CATA related business.
Children five years of age and under must be closely accompanied at all times by an older responsible individual.
No person occupying the River Cities Travel Center for the purpose of waiting to ride a CATA vehicle shall fail or refuse to take the next available vehicle to the person’s destination.
Roller Blading and skate boarding are prohibited.
No person occupying the River Cities Travel Center for the purpose of waiting to greet passengers on any arriving CATA vehicle shall fail or refuse to leave the facility promptly after the arrival of the CATA vehicle for which the person is waiting.
Electrical outlet boxes inside the travel center are for use of passengers that have a need to recharge their electric wheel chairs only. Other use is not permissible.

After the Transportation Director determines that there have been repeated or serious incidents of inappropriate conduct by an individual, and it is determined that the individual involved should be excluded from transit facilities and/or services or that conditions should be placed on the individual’s continued use thereof:
The Transportation Director will issue, or cause to be issued, to the individual involved a written exclusion letter from CATA facilities, including services as may be warranted. The letter will be mailed to the individual by regular U.S. Mail if the Transportation Director is able to obtain the last know address from the police report. The letter shall indicate the reasons for the exclusion, the time period of the exclusion, and the facilities and/or services to which the exclusion order applies. If continued use of transit facilities and/or services is made subject to safety conditions or restrictions (e.g., presence of a parent or guardian in the case of a juvenile; accompaniment by a personal care attendant or aide), a conditional exclusion letter may be issued specifying that the individual will be subject to exclusion unless the imposed restrictions are complied with. The Transportation Director shall provide a copy of the letter to the Executive Director and will inform all staff involved who have a need to know, about the reasons for and length of the exclusion. At the discretion of the Transportation director, a juvenile may be restricted to use of CATA services only when the juvenile is accompanied by a responsible designated adult for a designated period of time. The juvenile’s parent or guardian must be notified of the restriction via certified mail. Failure to abide by the restriction may lead to exclusion under this policy.

The excluded person may appeal in writing within ten (10) days after the commencement of the exclusion to the Executive Director or designee for de novo review of the exclusion. The appeal may request that the Executive Director or designee rescind or waive the exclusion, alter the laces of exclusion or reduce the duration of the exclusion. An appeal shall contain a copy of the exclusion notice, a request for a hearing or request for written review without a hearing, and a statement setting forth the reason that the exclusion should be rescinded, altered, or reduced. The appeal must be mailed or delivered to the Executive Director, c/o CATA, 901 Maple Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114. The Executive Director or designee shall render a decision no later than ten (10) days after the receipt of an appeal unless the appeal requests that a hearing be held. In addition to or in the alternative to an appeal, at any time during the exclusion, an excluded person may petition in writing to the Executive Director or designee for a temporary waiver of the exclusion which may be allowed or denied at the discretion of the Executive Director.

If the appeal by an excluded person includes a request for a hearing, a public hearing will be conducted by the Executive Director or designee within ten (10) days after the receipt of the appeal and the Executive Director or designee will render a decision within fifteen (15) days after the hearing. The order of the hearing shall be as follows: presentation of documentation and testimony supporting the exclusion, followed by presentation of documentation and testimony opposing the exclusion. The Executive Director or designee may question witnesses and review all documentation referred to by the witness. The hearing may be tape recorded at the discretion of the Executive Director.

If an individual subject to an exclusion order enters the specified facilities or services before the return date listed in the exclusion letter, police will be called and the individual will be subject to arrest for trespassing.

All CATA buses are equipped with electronic surveillance devices including cameras and microphones and are only used to view accidents, incidents and complaints received from passengers.