Policies & Guidelines

Information for Riders

Passengers shall recognize that OCPT services are based upon coordination of transportation and therefore shall not expect individual trips even upon request. Passengers may be requested to take an out of the way route in order to accommodate other passengers.


Drivers and passengers are prohibited from smoking or using chewing tobacco while in OCPT vehicle. 


A trip is considered a "no show" when the driver has made every reasonable effort to locate the passenger for a period of five minutes. In the event of a trip being considered a "no show," OCPT dispatch will investigate as to whether the client made a good faith effort to cancel the trip. A passenger who records three (3) no shows in a 90 day period will be suspended from service for a period of time to be determined by OCPT management. 


Passengers are expected to be capable of caring for themselves. Drivers are not required to act as personal attendants, baby sitters, caretakers or to provide any medical services. Passengers who require a "Personal Care Attendant" to complete their trip must identify that need when scheduling a trip to ensure enough room on the vehicle for all passen­gers. 


If transportation services will be cancelled due to inclement weather, OCPT Dispatch will notify all drivers and scheduled passengers for the respective day. 


OCPT will schedule trips placing as many clients as possible together when traveling in the same direction or to the same destination. 


A child must be 10 years of age, as a general rule, in order to ride independently without being accompanied by a responsible companion.

 

OCPT requests all passengers give at least 24 business hours notice when scheduling a local trip, or 48 business hours notice when scheduling an out of area trip. OCPT will make every reasonable effort to provide next day service. 


OCPT will operate all vehicles in a safe and careful manner with regard to traffic and the use of the roadway by others. All passengers, ambulatory or in a wheelchair, and drivers must be secured with the restraint devices available in each vehicles.


Ottawa County Public Transportation will provide origin-to-destination service for passengers. Passengers should be prepared to board the vehicles up to thirty (30) minutes prior to and after the scheduled pick-up time. OCPT drivers shall not wait longer than 5 minutes past scheduled stop or pick­up time for any client unless otherwise communicated. 

Rules of the Road

  • Passengers are responsible for all personal belongings. Drivers are not required to assist passengers with loading or unload­ing of packages. No Furniture or Applianc­es. 
  • Packages must be placed in totes provided.
  • Walking aids, strollers and empty shopping carts must be collapsed and secured.
  • No smoking or tobacco use is permitted on vehicles. 
  • Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerat­ed.
  • No open containers, weapons, ammunition or hazardous materials (gasoline, propane, car batteries, etc.) are allowed on the vehicles. 
  • Pets are allowed in vehicle as long as they are in a crate and/or contained.
  • Check radio/TV for weather related clos­ings. 
  • "Personal Care Attendants" are required to travel with passengers when he/she needs assistance to complete a ride.
  • Expressive activity is prohibited by all pas­sengers and is defined as an activity such as but not limited to soliciting, advertising, selling, lecturing or preaching. 


FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ALL POLICIES MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF SERVICE 

Holidays

Ottawa County Public Transportation will be closed for the following holidays, unless otherwise announced. If the holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, an alternate day may be designated. The dates will be published annually. 


  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr Day
  • President’s Day 
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans’ Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day 


TITLE VI


Ottawa County Public Transportation offers its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Ottawa County Public Transportation Administrator.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

 
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Ottawa County Public Transportation will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities.

The ADA does not require Ottawa County Public Transportation  to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of Ottawa County Public Transportation, should contact the Transit Administrator.