RIDER’S GUIDE
SENIOR MEALS & SERVICES, INC.
DEVILS LAKE TRANSIT
EDDY COUNTY TRANSIT
DEMAND RESPONSE SERVICE
DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA
EDDY COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA
Adopted: September, 2014
Copies of this document are available in LARGE PRINT, from Senior Meals & Services, Inc., 202 4th Ave NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301, Telephone (701) 662-5061
Meeting Our Customers’ Travel Needs 4
Improving Demand Response Bus Service 4
Paratransit Service 4
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 6
Section 1.1 - Purpose 6
Section 1.2 - References to Federal Regulations 6
Section 1.3 - Statement of Non-Discrimination [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.5] 6
Section 1.4 - Accessible Formats 6
Section 1.5 - Application Process 6
SECTION 2.0: TRANSPORTATION SERVICES 6
Section 2.1 - Service Description [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.129] 6
Section 2.2 - Services Hours [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (e)] 6
Section 2.3 - Service Area [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (a)] 7
Section 2.4 - Trip Purpose [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (d)] 7
Section 2.5 - Passenger Fares [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (c)] 7
Section 2.6 - Rider Courtesy and Conduct 8
Section 2.7 - Driver Responsibilities 10
SECTION 3.0: ELIGIBILITY 10
Section 3.1 - ADA Paratransit Eligibility Criteria 10
Section 3.2 - Eligibility for Reduced-Fare 11
SECTION 4.0 TRIP RESERVATION PROCEDURES [ADA 49 CFR § 37.131 (b)] 11
Section 4.1 - Reservations 11
Section 4.2 - Advance Notice Requirement 11
Section 4.3 -Same Day Reservations 11
Section 4.4 - Office Hours 11
Section 4.5 - Reservation Procedures 12
Section 4.6 - Reservation Cancellation 12
Section 4.7 – Subscription Service (Standing Order Service) [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.133] 13
Section 4.8 - Same Day Requests for Early Pickups 13
SECTION 5.0 PICKUP AND TRAVEL PROCEDURES 13
Section 5.1 - Pick-up Procedures 13
Section 5.2 - Companions [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.123 (f)] 13
Section 5.3 - Personal Care Attendants (PCA) [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.123 (f) and 37.131 (c)(3)] 13
Section 5.4 – Door to Door Service [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.129] 14
Section 5.5 - Use of Ramp/Lift and Securement Inside the Vehicle [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.165] 14
Section 5.6 – Service Needs 15
Section 5.7 – Service Animals and Life Support Equipment [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.167] 15
Section 5.8 - Children 16
SECTION 6.0: TRIP CANCELLATIONS AND DENIALS 16
Section 6.1 - Cancellations Procedures 16
Section 6.2 - Penalties Imposed for "No Shows" [Federal Regulation 49 CFR '37.125(h)] 16
Section 6.3 - Service Suspension Appeals Process 16
Section 6.4 - Refusal of Service [Federal Regulation 49 CFR § 37.5(h)] 17
Section 6.5 - Condition of Service 17
SECTION 7: OTHER INFORMATION 17
Section 7.1 - Public Information [ADA 49 CFR § 37.167(f)] 17
Section 7.2 - Privacy Regarding Medical Information 17
Section 7.3 - Complaints/Compliments 18
Section 7.4 - Driver Training 18
Section 7.5 - Vehicles 18
Section 7.6 - Reporting Abuse [Vulnerable Adult Act] 18
Meeting Our Customers’ Travel Needs
This Rider’s Guide provides brief information about Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit’s 100% accessible services as well as more detailed information about Devils Lake and Eddy County Transit services – how to become eligible to use the service, where it operates, the days and hours of service, how to request a ride, fares, and other important information.
Improving Demand Response Bus Service
Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit are committed to providing transportation services that can be used by all of our customers. All “buses” have lifts or a ramp to better serve riders who use wheelchairs or have difficulty getting up and down the vehicle steps. Our vehicles are 100% accessible
A limited number of seats are usually available near the entrance of the bus for persons who have difficulty on a vehicle. Reserved spaces with tie-down straps and driver assistance are available for riders who use wheelchairs to provide a safe securement location.
Devils Lake Transit issues reduced-fare tickets for those riders who qualify. We encourage our customers with disabilities to take advantage of the flexibility, independence and reduced cost that our bus services provide.
For scheduling information, or any questions you may have about using the Devils Lake Transit services, call 701-662-5061 or Eddy County Transit services at 701-302-0324.
Paratransit Service
Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit offers door to door service called Paratransit. This service is sometimes called “ADA Paratransit Service” because it is provided to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (or ADA) and insure all individuals have the opportunity to use public transportation services. Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit shall schedule and provide service to ADA paratransit eligible persons at any requested time on a particular day in response to a request for service as space is available. The service is provided with ramp-equipped minivans or lift-equipped vehicles.
Devils Lake Transit service operates bus services from:
7:30 AM till 5:30 PM Monday – Friday
Calls after 5:20 pm will not be honored. The service can be used for any trip purpose.
Eddy County Transit service operates bus services from:
1. Regular Hours – September – May
a. 7:30 AM till 4:00 PM Monday – Friday
2. Summer Hours – June – August
- 8:30 AM till 2:30 PM
If you have questions after reading this Rider’s Guide, you can call the Senior Meals & Services, Inc. office at 701-662-5061.
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Section 1.1 - Purpose
This document outlines the operational guidelines for all individuals using Devils Lake Transit and/or Eddy County Transit Paratransit Services.
Section 1.2 - References to Federal Regulations
Devils Lake and Eddy County Transit Paratransit Services are funded in part through federal, state and local governments. Operational guidelines comply with federal, state and local regulations and conform to the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Regulation 49 CFR Parts 37.
References will be made throughout this document to specific regulations to assist the City of Devils Lake and Eddy County in updating guidelines as regulations are modified.
Section 1.3 - Statement of Non-Discrimination [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.5]
It is the public policy of the City of Devils Lake and Eddy County to declare, as civil rights, the rights of all persons, whether residents or visitors, equal opportunities in education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services, and full participation for all citizens in the affairs of these communities.
The City of Devils Lake and Eddy County shall not discriminate against an individual with a disability in connection with the provision of transportation service.
Section 1.4 - Accessible Formats
The information contained in this booklet is available upon request by contacting Senior Meals & Services, Inc. office at 701-662-5061.
Section 1.5 - Application Process
Devils Lake and Eddy County Transit Services are open to the public without application process.
SECTION 2.0: TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Section 2.1 - Service Description [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.129]
All transit coaches are accessible providing vehicle access via lifts or ramps. Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit, each transit system is a paratransit which provides door to door service for those who need it
Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit features accessible vans and/or buses with lifts.
Section 2.2 - Services Hours [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (e)]
Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit is available and operates:
Devils Lake Transit
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Eddy County Transit
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (September – May)
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (June – August)
All trips scheduled must be completed with passengers delivered to their destination by end of service hours. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays or the following holidays:
New Year’s Day (January 1) Independence Day (4th of July)
Good Friday Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Veteran’s Day (November 11) Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
Christmas (December 25) Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
Presidents Day (3rd Monday in February)
Section 2.3 - Service Area [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (a)]
Devils Lake Transit operates within the city limits of Devils Lake and Ramsey County.
Eddy County Transit operates within the city limits of New Rockford and Eddy County.
Section 2.4 - Trip Purpose [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (d)]
No restrictions or priorities are imposed based on trip purpose for rides given by Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit, with the exception of trips to Grand Forks, these trips require at least one (1) medical appointment. Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit are not an ambulance service and do not provide emergency medical transportation. Operators are prohibited from providing delivery services.
Section 2.5 - Passenger Fares [ADA Regulation 49 CFR § 37.131 (c)]
Each fare is applicable to one complete trip. Once a passenger disembarks from the vehicle or arrives at a destination, a trip is completed. Upon entering the same vehicle again, a new trip commences and the passenger will be required to pay a new fare. Riders are required to pay the fare prior to the beginning of the trip. Your driver cannot make change. Please have the exact fare ready in cash. Drivers are not permitted to access a passenger’s personal wallet, purse, or backpack, nor write and/or fill in any information on a passenger’s personal check.
Devils Lake Transit
The fare for each one-way trip is $2.50 cash. Tickets may be purchased from the driver or at the Senior Meals & Services Inc. office (a) 20 ride ticket for $50.00 or (b) 10 ride ticket for $25.00 (c) Reduced Fare Tickets – 20 ride tickets for $30.00 (these may only be purchased in the Senior Meals & Services Inc. office with a voucher presented at time of purchase and may only be used by the person for whom the voucher is issued). Tickets are available from the Senior Meals & Services, Inc., 202 4th Ave NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301, or from the Devils Lake Transit driver. The driver will collect the payment from you at the time you receive the ticket. The following conditions apply to ticket sales: (1) Tickets cannot be redeemed for cash under any circumstances. (2) Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced. (3) If the rider does not have correct fare and the driver does not have change, a ticket will be given with the number of rides equal to the change due.
This fare structure applies to both the individual and their guests. Personal care attendants also known as Escorts, ride free, on all in town trips and pay the regular fare for all out of town trips unless requested by Senior Meals and Services, Inc. (refer to Section 5.3 - Personal Care Attendants). Children (under age 16), when accompanied by an eligible adult passenger ride for $1.00. Guests are charged $1.00, and are for those riders that need help beyond the door. Only one (1) guest is allowed per person at the $1.00 fare. Others may ride at the regular fare. Escorts and trainers ride for free. Fares cannot be billed at a later date.
ALL FARES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Eddy County Transit
The fare for each one-way trip for Senior Citizens to/from the New Rockford Senior Center for noon meal is $.50; the fare for all other one-way trips is $1.00 cash. Tickets may be purchased (a) 10 ride tickets for $10.00. Fares cannot be billed at a later date.
ALL FARES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Section 2.6 - Rider Courtesy and Conduct
Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit has a list of common-sense rules to ensure the safety of all riders and drivers. All riders shall observe the following Rules of Conduct:
· Devils Lake Transit and Eddy County Transit reserves the right to refuse service to riders for the following reasons:
o Intoxication
o Belligerency
o Any other reason(s) that might harm or make it unsafe for any passenger, driver or vehicle.
· If a rider becomes belligerent or unsafe driver will stop and call Senior Meals & Services Inc. to report this and Senior Meals & Services Inc. will notify law enforcement.
· Riders shall maintain appropriate, reasonable personal hygiene.
· Riders shall conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner.
· Shirts and shoes or other footwear must be worn.
· No eating, drinking or smoking in vehicles.
· Make reservations in advance (if possible)
· Be ready at pick-up location and be on time.
· Call if the vehicle has not arrived by the end of the “10-minute window.”
· If a ride reservation request is no longer needed, please give at least a15 minutes notice of cancellation by calling 662-5061. If your scheduled ride is not cancelled, and we stop to pick you up and you do not ride, your ride will be considered a no show and you will be responsible to pay the fare ($2.50) before you are allowed to ride the bus again.
· Pay the correct fare in the exact cash amount or with a pre-purchased ride card (drivers do not make change).
· Wear seat belts.
· Avoid distracting the driver or annoying other passengers with inappropriate behavior.
· Head, arms and other body parts must be kept inside the vehicle.
· No abusive, threatening, or obscene language or actions.
· No physical abuse of another rider or the driver.
· Parents must control children.
· Expect “shared-ride” service. Others may be picked-up after you or dropped off before you reach your destination.
· No littering in the vehicle.
· Objects must not be thrown from the vehicle window.
· No riding with open containers of alcohol or with illegal drugs.
· No riding while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
· No deliberate fare evasion.
· No petting guide dogs or other service animals without the permission of the owner.
· No playing of radios, cassette tape players, or compact disk players (without headphones), or other noisy equipment while on-board.