Rider Policies
>  Rider Policies
It is CATA’s goal to provide reliable, safe and affordable transportation to ALL residents of Crawford and Venango counties. In order to do so, it is important that our riders understand some basic policies for using the CATA bus.

Shared Ride Bus Policies

Pick Up Time
It is CATA’s goal to pick up passengers within 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the scheduled time. It is the rider’s responsibility to be ready during this time frame.

Waiting
When CATA arrives to pick you up, the driver will wait a maximum of 5 minutes. If you are going to be late or need to change your trip, please call us so we can notify the driver.

Door-to-Door Service
Drivers may assist the passenger to enter or exit the vehicle upon request if the path from the door to the vehicle is clear. Drivers are not responsible for clearing your sidewalk or driveway. Under no circumstances will a driver enter your home.

Packages
Riders are permitted to carry packages and bags on the CATA bus. Please refrain from purchasing large items or excessive groceries. Package amounts are limited to that which can be carried on in one trip and held on your lap or placed on the floor directly in front of you. No packages can be placed on other seats or in the aisle. A small “personal” shopping cart is permitted. Drivers may assist with putting bags on or off the bus only if the rider requests assistance. Drivers are not responsible for accidental damage to packages or contents.

Entering Homes/Buildings
Drivers can assist you to the exterior door of the home or building but are not permitted to enter under any circumstances. 

Rider with an Escort, Aide or Companion 
Qualified persons using Shared Ride service may have an escort or companion accompany him/her for free. The Rider must fill out an escort application with CATA prior to scheduling their trip and notify CATA that an escort will be riding with them when scheduling each trip. The escort must get on and off at the same time as the rider.

Accessible Access and Assistance
All CATA vehicles are ADA accessible. Passengers must have an accessible and clear path from the door of the residence to the door of the vehicle. Wheelchair ramps must be clear of snow and other debris and driveways must be plowed and/or salted to prevent ice. Drivers are not authorized to lift a manual wheelchair over more than 1 step, or to push a wheelchair through snow or yards. Under no circumstances will a driver push or lift an electric scooter. Use of the vehicle ramp or lift is available to any passenger upon request. 

Cancellations
A passenger who needs to cancel a scheduled trip must notify CATA at least one hour before the trip. Failure to cancel could result in the rider being charged the full fare for that trip.


Fixed Route Bus Policies

  • All schedule times are approximate. Please be at your bus stop a few minutes early.
  • The bus will pick you up at designated stops only. You must be standing at a bus stop sign in order to board.
  • The bus can not wait at a bus stop. Please be ready to board the bus when you see it coming.
  • Bus drivers do not carry change. All riders must have their pass or payment ready when boarding the bus.
  • All buses are wheelchair accessible.
  • Preferential seating is available for seniors and persons with disabilities. Any person sitting in a seat marked for preferential seating must transfer seats if asked by the bus driver.
  • Passengers are not permitted to bring food on the bus. Passengers may carry drinks as long as the liquid is in a seal-able container.

Package Policy

  • A rider may carry on only as many bags as they (the rider) can carry on and off the bus in one trip by themselves. A rider cannot enter and exit the bus to load packages. Drivers will not assist in carrying bags on or off the bus.
  • If a rider attempts to board the bus with more bags than what is allowed for according to this policy, the driver has the right to refuse bus service to the rider.
  • No grocery carts or other wheeled storage units such as wagons are permitted on the bus. Small fold-up pull carts are permitted but must be collapsed when on the bus or outside of the aisle so not to create a safety hazard.
  • No bags or packages are to be left unattended at any time on the bus by the rider.
  • All bags must be held by the rider or placed on the floor under the seat. At no times are bags allowed to be placed in the aisle way or placed on other seats.

Wheelchair Ramp and Kneeler Policy

  • For the purpose of this policy the term "wheelchair" refers to wheelchairs (motorized or manual), motorized scooters or other riding devices that are of medical necessity for the rider excluding bicycles.
  • Some CATA vehicles are equipped with a ramp entry system (as opposed to a 3 step entry) that allows for a fold out ramp to be deployed to ground level for passenger entry. The wheelchair ramp on the CATA bus will only be deployed for persons that need to enter/exit the bus via a wheelchair, mobility aid device such as a walker or cane or upon request of the passenger. The wheelchair ramp will be deployed by the driver for all wheelchairs, but riders with other mobility aid devices such as walkers or a cane or riders requesting usage of the ramp must request that the driver kneel the ramp..
  • Prior to a wheelchair/scooter entering the bus, the bus driver may ask other passengers to temporarily move from their seat to allow proper room for the wheelchair to board. All passengers must temporarily move from their seat if asked by the driver.
  • All wheelchairs on the CATA bus must be properly secured by the bus driver to ensure proper safety while riding. If a wheelchair is not designed for vehicle transportation as described in the owner’s manual/specifications for the unit, CATA reserves the right to deny service to the rider in such a wheelchair. CATA will work with all riders to help determine if your wheelchair has a manufacturer’s notice that restricts the unit from being properly secured for vehicle transportation.
  • Any wheelchair with an “after market” alteration that increases the dimensions of the wheelchair may result in the wheelchair being too large to fit in the CATA bus. CATA will make an assessment of any wheelchair that has been modified by the rider to determine if the wheelchair can be safely transported on the bus.

Stroller Policy

  • Strollers are permitted on the bus.
  • Strollers must be placed in the designated area behind the driver so that the stroller does not interfere with other passengers. Should a passenger utilizing a wheelchair need the space directly behind the driver, the stroller must be folded and moved.
  • Should a stroller be too big to fit in the designated area or the designated area is already occupied, the driver may request that the stroller be folded prior to entering the bus.
  • Strollers cannot be left in the aisle and must be held by the rider at all times to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Other Policies

  • Animals are not allowed on the bus except for those designated and defined as “service animals” by the Federal Government.
  • The following are not allowed on the bus: Smoking, loud, vulgar or disruptive language, radios (unless using a headphone), food, drinks (unless in a sealed container) any hazardous material or weapons.
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