General Responsibilities

• If a rider’s pick-up or drop-off address is not accessible for a RTP bus, van or volunteer driver, it is the rider’s responsibility to ensure such access for vehicles in advance. If the vehicle is not able to enter the pick-up location and the rider fails to meet the vehicle, a No-Show may be charged.
• Riders must call in trip cancellations before the scheduled pick-up time.
• Riders should be ready when the bus arrives. Drivers will only wait 3 minutes after a rider’s scheduled pick up time.
• Riders must be prepared for trips. If assistance is required to prepare for a trip, an individual other than the driver must provide assistance.
• All riders must wear seatbelts while on RTP vehicles. Drivers will assist with seat belts.
• Riders are expected to treat reservationists, schedulers, dispatchers, drivers and other passengers courteously.
• Riders must not distract the driver.
• Wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices must be properly maintained. Riders must know the limitations regarding the use and transport of their specific mobility devices.
• No smoking, eating or drinking is allowed while on a RTP vehicle.
• Riding a RTP vehicle under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol is not permitted.
• Radios, cassette, disc, mp3 or Ipods are not permitted to be played aloud when onboard a RTP vehicle.
• A rider may not bring explosives, flammable liquids, acids, or other hazardous materials onto the vehicle.
• If a rider is traveling with a child who needs a car seat, the rider must supply the child’s car seat. Riders are responsible for securing it in the vehicle and for its removal.

Seat Belts, Child restraints and Common Wheelchairs

• A rider 18 years of age or older is required to wear a seat belt while traveling on a RTP bus or van.
• A child rider less than 18 years of age is required to be properly secured while traveling on a RTP bus or van. Depending on age, height and weight, a child must be properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system, child safety seat, or seat belt.
• A rider is required to have his or her common wheelchair secured while traveling on a RTP bus or van

Seriously Disruptive Behavior

• Regional Transportation does not permit riders to engage in violent, illegal or seriously disruptive behavior. Seriously disruptive behavior includes the following:
• A rider who is physically abusive causing injury to the driver or other clients may be subject to criminal prosecution. The rider will be suspended immediately or service will be refused.
• Disturbing a vehicle driver
• Disturbing other riders
• Physically or verbally threatening the driver, another client or RTP employee
• Acting in a way that is a danger to himself/herself, the driver, other riders or RTP employee
• Damaging or destroying equipment

Cancellation Rule

Cancellations should be made as soon as possible, but no later than two hours before the appointed pick-up time

Penalties for “No Shows”

A rider who fails to cancel a ride according to the cancellation rule, or fails to be at the scheduled location at the scheduled pick-up time, will be assigned a “No Show”. A rider assigned three or more “No Shows” in a 3 month “rolling” period is subject to penalties, up to and including suspension. Penalties will be assigned within the rules and guidelines of MaineCare and the ADA.

Suspensions, and Appeals

RTP may suspend a rider for incidents of disruptive behavior, repeated no-shows, breaking of RTP rules / policies or breaking the law.

A rider may appeal an assigned suspension or penalty. Appeals must be submitted in writing to: Regional Transportation Program, Attn: Appeals Department, 127 Saint John Street, Portland, ME 04102. To qualify for acceptance, appeals must be received by RTP within ten business days of the suspension or penalty. The appeal must include the rider’s name, mailing address, telephone number and the reason for the appeal. RTP will make a decision on the appeal and notify the rider within ten business days.

* Regional Transportation Program reserves the right to cancel, suspend or delay transportation due to circumstances beyond its control.