Rider Guide
Chenango County Public Transit System
Ride Nice Policy
The goal of the Chenango County Public Transit System (CCPT) is to provide a safe, comfortable commute for individuals traveling on CCPT vehicles. To ensure a pleasant commute for all, please observe the following rules:
- Respect your bus drivers and other riders.
- Fare-paying passengers are afforded one seat unless all seats are occupied and standing is required. A seated passenger may not deny another passenger an otherwise available seat because he is using a second seat for personal belongings.
- Consistent with federal guidance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, all riders must a wear a mask or a cloth mouth/nose covering in such situations when you are not maintaining social distancing, including on public transit, on busy streets, or in any location where an individual may encounter other people. Individuals will not be allowed to board CCPT buses unless a face covering is worn.
- Smoking, including all forms of tobacco, (e-cigarettes) and any other
products which emit or disburse in the air including but not limited to aerosol
products, perfumes and colognes, is prohibited.
- Personal musical devices are allowed with headphones if the sound
is not audible to others.
- Please do not distract the driver as this behavior is disruptive and unsafe.
- Eating or drinking is not allowed in the vehicle. Please do not litter.
- Proper attire, including shirts and shoes or appropriate foot coverings is required. Please exhibit appropriate personal hygiene.
- Do not damage, create graffiti, or destroy CCPT property.
- Soiling or creating remnants of waste on the bus is prohibited.
- Firearms or hazardous materials are not allowed on the bus.
- Abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Such behavior includes but is not limited to physical altercations with CCPT employees or other riders; threatening or intimidating language; excessive profanity; or shouting at CCPT employees or other riders.
Persons engaging in any of the above-referenced prohibited behaviors will be asked to cease this behavior and may be removed from the bus. Chenango County administration and/or Transdev reserves the right to ban offending individuals from CCPT vehicles and from utilizing CCPT services in cases where the individuals repeatedly engage in prohibited behavior. First time offenders will be asked to cease and abstain from such conduct; if the behavior continues, individuals will be banned from utilizing services and from physically entering CCPT vehicles. Reinstatement of transit privileges shall be handled on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of Chenango County administration and/or Transdev.
What can I bring on board CCPT buses?
We want everyone’s ride to be as safe and comfortable as possible. In accordance with Federal Transit Administration policy, persons with mobility disabilities may use devices other than wheelchairs to assist with locomotion. Canes, crutches, and walkers for example, are often used by people whose mobility disabilities do not require the use of a wheelchair. These devices will be accommodated on the same basis as wheelchairs. Please know transit agencies are not required to accommodate devices not primarily designed for use by individuals with mobility impairments. This includes items such as shopping carts, bicycles, and skateboards.
Here’s what you can and can’t bring on board CCPT buses:
Luggage, bags, backpacks, and packages
You can bring bags and packages on board, but your bags and packages cannot block the bus aisle or doorway. If you’re using a second seat to hold your belongings, please know as a fare-paying passenger, you are afforded one seat unless all seats are occupied and standing is required. You may not deny another passenger a seat because you are using a second seat to stow your personal belongings. Any bags or packages brought on by passengers must be secured by the passenger on the lap of the passenger, placed in the space in front of your seat, or stabilized at the feet of the passenger. Bags or backpacks must have covers and contents must be secured therein.
Wheeled carts and totes
CCPT allows two- or four-wheeled shopping carts, but they can’t be more than 18 inches wide or more than 26 inches long or more than 30 inches tall (excluding wheels and handles). We strongly recommend using folding shopping carts. Shopping carts must be stowed in the space in front of your seat. Storage of carts or totes must not create an obstruction to passenger movements in the bus aisle or doorway.
Walkers
We allow walkers on CCPT buses, but they cannot be more that 28 inches wide or more than 30 inches tall (excluding wheels and handles). Passengers may use the walkers to assist the process of boarding the bus using the wheelchair lift. Walkers that fold must be placed in the space in front of your seat. If a walker does not fold, it may be secured in one of the bus wheelchair positions, but will give way to allow the carriage of another passenger in a wheelchair.
Strollers
Strollers should be the folding “umbrella” type and placed in the space in front of your seat. Please make sure your stroller doesn’t block the aisle or doorway. Under no circumstances, will a child be permitted to ride in the stroller while the bus is in motion. All children must ride either on the lap of an adult guardian or in their own seat.
Mobility devices
CCPT buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts with sufficient clearances to permit the user of a wheelchair or other mobility aid to reach the securement position on the wheelchair lift.
The wheelchair lifts on CCPT buses can hold a wheelchair or scooter up to 30 inches wide and 48 inches long, weighing up to 1,000 pounds when occupied. Due to the wheelchair lift operational securement and weight restriction, only recognized mobility devices can be brought onto the wheelchair lift. Because they cannot be secured, shopping carts, non-mobility devices or any other personal items that cannot be carried by the passenger will not be permitted onto the lifts.
All wheelchairs or other recognized mobility devices must be secured on the lift by the bus operator before the wheelchair or other mobility device is loaded onto the bus. Items that cannot be secured on the wheelchair lift will not be allowed to be loaded on the wheelchair lift by the bus operator.
Anyone without a mobility device can use the wheelchair lift in lieu of the service stairs.
Bikes
No bicycles are allowed on board the bus. Bicycles will only be transported if the bus is equipped with an external bicycle rack system.
Request for Reasonable Modification of Policy
Individuals may request a reasonable modification to CCPT policies and procedures
applicable to its transportation services in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) Individuals requesting modifications shall describe what they need to use the service.
(2) Individuals requesting modifications are not required to use the term ‘reasonable modification’ when making a request.
(3) Whenever feasible, requests for modifications shall be made and determined in advance, before the transportation provider is expected to provide the modified service, for example, during the paratransit eligibility process, through customer service inquiries, or through the Chenango County administration complaint process.
Requests for reasonable modification of policy should be submitted in writing to:
CCPT Request for Reasonable Modification of Policy
Chenango County
Clerk of the Boards Office
5 Court Street
Norwich, NY 13815
(4) Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance (e.g., because of a condition or barrier at the destination of a paratransit or fixed route trip of which the individual with a disability was unaware until arriving), operating personnel of the entity shall decide of whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request. Operating personnel may consult with CCPT management before deciding to grant or deny the request.