RFTA ADA Policies

Policy Statement

It is the policy of RFTA to comply with all the legal requirements of federal and state laws and regulations as they pertain to individuals with disabilities. If state and federal regulations are contradictory, the federal ADA regulations prevail. RFTA provides quality transportation services without discrimination to all persons including individuals with disabilities. Discrimination on the basis of disability against any person by RFTA employees will not be condoned or tolerated. Persons with or without a disability may file a complaint under the ADA.

Goals

Service is provided in a manner that meets these goals to:

Provide safe, accessible, and dignified services to all persons, including individuals with disabilities.
Ensure that eligible individuals who are unable to board, ride or disembark from the fixed route service are provided complementary paratransit with comparable service availability and quality to the fixed route service.
Expedite the safe and efficient boarding, securing, transporting, and alighting of all passengers, regardless of mobility status.
Accommodate the wide range of mobility aids within the confines of available vehicles and commercial standard equipment.

Facility and Vehicle Accessibility

RFTA’s administrative facilities, passenger facilities, and vehicles shall meet or exceed the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 27, 37 and 38 and requirements of the State of Colorado. If state requirements do not meet federal requirements, the federal ADA regulations prevail. All vehicles purchased for fixed route and route deviation service will be accessible. Vehicles purchased for demand response service will only be non-accessible to the extent that the demand response system, when viewed in its entirety, provides the same level of service for individuals with disabilities as for individuals without disabilities. The transit system will conduct an analysis of service equivalency prior to the acquisition of any inaccessible vehicles for demand-responsive service.

Vehicle and Route Assignment

To the extent possible, the assignment of particular types of vehicles will be based upon rider needs. All vehicles assigned to fixed routes and deviated routes will be accessible. In addition to fixed route and route deviation service, RFTA also operates ADA Paratransit. To the extent that inaccessible vehicles comprise any proportion of the fleet, RFTA ensures that equivalent service is provided to individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users, that is consistent with U.S. DOT ADA regulations under 49 CFR Part 37, Section 37.77. This transportation will be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual and will be equivalent to the service provided other individuals with respect to:

Response time
Fares
Geographic area of service
Hours and days of service
Restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose
Availability of information and reservations capability
Any constraints on capacity or availability

Maintenance of Accessible Features

Accessibility features on vehicles, including lifts, ramps, wheelchair securement devices and public address systems, will be maintained in operative condition. The preventive maintenance program of RFTA provides for regular and frequent maintenance checks of these features as well as preventive maintenance as recommended by the equipment manufacturers. In addition, the lift must be cycled as part of each pre-trip inspection.

Drivers are required to report lift or ramp failures immediately. Vehicles with inoperative lifts or ramps will be removed from service and replaced with an accessible vehicle until the inoperative lift or ramp is repaired.

Wheelchair Accommodation

All accessible vehicles meet or exceed the requirements of 49 CFR Part 38. Transportation providers are required to carry a wheelchair and its user, as long as the lift can accommodate the size and weight of the wheelchair and its user, and there is space in the securement area for the wheelchair on the vehicle without blocking the aisle. If a vehicle lift/ramp and securement area can accommodate a wheelchair (or other mobility device), RFTA will transport the device and its user.

An individual who uses a wheelchair that, when occupied, exceeds the weight rating of the vehicle lift/ramp, will be offered the opportunity to board and disembark from the vehicle separately from the wheelchair. However, RFTA personnel are prohibited from operating a passenger’s wheelchair. The individual may travel with another individual who can assist with operating the unoccupied wheelchair to maneuver it on and off the lift/ramp.

Boarding

Drivers and scheduling practices will provide adequate time for a passenger with a disability to board and/or disembark the vehicle, which includes adjusting the schedule if necessary and waiting for passengers to be seated before moving the vehicle. Only a properly trained transit system employee can operate the lift or ramp and secure the wheelchair in the securement station. Passengers may board facing toward or away from the vehicle.

Priority Seating

With the exception of the wheelchair securement stations, RFTA does not require any passenger to sit in designated seating. Priority seating for seniors and individuals with disabilities is designated by permanent signage in each vehicle. In cases where an individual with a disability requests use of priority seating that is currently occupied by another passenger, the driver will ask that passenger to move so as to allow the individual with a disability use of the priority seating. In cases where a wheelchair user requires the use of a securement location, the driver will ask any passenger (including other passengers with disabilities) to vacate the securement location.

Driver Assistance

Drivers will make themselves available for assistance to individuals with disabilities and will assist passenger upon request. Drivers will leave their seat to assist a passenger with using the vehicle ramp, lift and/or securement system. Drivers will use the accessibility-related equipment and features on their vehicles as described in these policies.

Wheelchair Securement

RFTA does not require that wheelchairs be secured on board the vehicle. However, the driver will secure a passenger’s wheelchair if requested by the passenger.

Securement of wheelchairs is the responsibility of the driver. Drivers are trained in the proper operation of all securement equipment based on the equipment manufacturer’s specifications. Drivers will listen to and respect riders’ instructions on how to secure their equipment. Drivers cannot be expected to be familiar with each and every wheelchair type that may come aboard, and securement attachment points may differ by wheelchair manufacturer. The rider may be in the best position to instruct the driver on how to properly secure their mobility device.
If the securement system is not compatible with the wheelchair the passenger is using, the driver will still attempt to safely secure the wheelchair. If the wheelchair cannot be secured because of the wheelchair design, the passenger still has the right to ride in the vehicle.
Drivers must secure wheelchairs in the designated securement area only, even if the passenger wants their mobility device to be secured in a non-designated area. The wheelchair is not allowed to block the aisle.
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses are recommended but not required for passengers riding in their secured wheelchair.Seat belts will never be used instead of independent securement of the passenger’s wheelchair.
In cases where an individual using a wheelchair attempts to board and requires use of a securement location that is currently occupied by another passenger that is not using a wheelchair, the driver will ask that passenger to allow the individual using a wheelchair to use the securement position.

Use of Lift or Ramp by Individuals Not Using a Mobility Device

Upon request, RFTA bus operators will deploy the lift or ramp for any individual to board or alight the vehicle.

Accommodation of Other Mobility Devices

Mobility devices that are not wheelchairs, but which are primarily designed for use by individuals with mobility impairments, will be accommodated to the extent that the ADA-compliant lift or ramp and securement areas can safely do so. However, these devices are the responsibility of the individual passenger, and must be secured in a manner that does not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicles and the transport of other passengers.

Transfer to Fixed Seating

All passengers using wheelchairs have an option of transferring to fixed seating once on board the vehicles. Drivers may recommend, but never require, wheelchairs users to transfer to fixed seating. No waivers are allowed to be required.

Accommodation of Portable Oxygen

Individuals are allowed to travel with respirators and portable oxygen supplies on board, consistent with applicable U.S. DOT rules on the transportation of hazardous materials in 49 CFR Subtitle B, Chapter 1, Subchapter C.

Service Animals

In compliance with 49 CFR Part 37, RFTA permits trained service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities on vehicles and within facilities. A service animal is “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.” Operators may NOT require passengers to provide documentation for service animals. If an animal is wearing a vest, leash, or other visible item that states that it is a service animal, it must be accepted as a service animal without question. If a passenger tries to board with an animal that is not identified as a service animal, operators must state “Pets are not allowed on RFTA buses.” If the passenger indicates it is a service animal, the animal may ride without any further questions from the operator. If the animal fails to behave appropriately (by roaming the bus or displaying any signs of aggression, such as growling or snarling, urinating or defecating) or is not under the control of the handler, the animal is no longer permitted to ride the bus.

Alighting (Exiting the Vehicle)

It is the responsibility of the driver to determine that the location for passenger alighting is safe. For fixed route, the driver will allow a passenger who uses the lift or ramp to alight at any stop, unless the lift or ramp cannot be deployed, will be damaged if deployed, or conditions at the stop would present unsafe conditions for all passengers. Only the driver will unsecure the wheelchair and operate the lift or ramp to return the passenger to the ground level.

Staff Training

All drivers and transit system staff are trained to proficiency in the use of accessibility equipment, in operating policies related to each of the service requirements described, and in properly and respectfully assisting and treating individuals with disabilities with sensitivity. Mechanics are also trained to properly maintain lifts and other accessibility equipment.

Rider Information

All printed informational materials are made available in accessible formats upon request, for example, large print for individuals with low vision or audio for blind individuals, as well as accessible electronic formats.

Complaint Procedure

All complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability will be forwarded to RFTA’s Civil Rights Compliance Officer and promptly and objectively investigated. RFTA will promptly communicate its response to the complaint allegations, including its reasons for the response, to the complainant. The response will be documented. Corrective or disciplinary action will be taken for behavior prohibited by this policy, up to and including termination of employment. Documentation of each complaint will be kept on file for at least one year and a summary record of all such complaints will be kept for at least five years.

For more information, please visit ADA Complementary Paratransit Service – RFTA | Colorado

Lifts and Ramps

All RFTA fixed route buses are lift or ramp equipped, and some have a kneeling feature. Operators must be familiar with how to deploy these features and must allow any passenger to utilize these features upon request, even if a disability is not apparent.

Operators must offer assistance when it appears that a passenger may require help in boarding or alighting or if requested by the passenger. Operators are required to ensure that lifts, ramps, and securement equipment are in good repair during their pre-trip inspections. If any of this equipment is deficient during the pre-trip inspection, maintenance will be notified. If maintenance is unable to correct the problem, another bus with functional equipment will be provided. If any of this equipment becomes non-functional while in service, dispatch will be notified by the Operator and the defective bus will be switched out as soon as possible.

Route Identification to Passengers Waiting at Shared Stops

Bus Operators will stop and announce their route to passengers waiting at any stop on their route.

Route Orientation Announcements

All RFTA fixed route buses are equipped with audio and visual bus stop announcements. Operators are required to note any deficiencies of this equipment during their pre- and post-trip inspections. If the buses’ Automated Stop Announcing Technology is not functioning or is not sufficiently audible in all parts of the bus, Operators must announce any requested stops, transfer points, major intersections, and at sufficient intervals along a route to permit individuals who have vision impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location. Stop announcements must be made regardless of whether the driver is aware of the presence of a passenger with a disability. Stop announcements must be audible in all parts of the bus, so the PA should be used where available. If the external route and stop announcement technology is not functioning at any stop that services more than one line or route, the Operator must announce the route or line name and the destination in such manner as to be audible to anyone waiting at the stop.

Bus Stop Accessibility

When establishing new bus stops, it is RFTA’s policy to select locations that are accessible to riders using mobility devices, to the extent feasible. When installing improvements at existing bus stops, the improvements will be made accessible in accordance with US DOT ADA standards for transportation buildings and facilities. In the event that a particular stop is not accessible, the transit system will provide complementary paratransit to any individual who is unable to use the fixed route system because that stop is inaccessible. If an individual with a disability requests that an existing stop be made accessible, RFTA will work with the jurisdiction that is responsible for the street and sidewalk (if applicable) to include accessibility improvements to the stop within the jurisdiction’s ADA transition plan for sidewalks.