Questions that Arise Frequently

Riding with Service Animals vs. Riding with Pets

• Pets are welcome on TheRide's buses and travel free; however, they must be carried in a well-secured cage or travel container.

• Service animals are welcome on TheRide's buses and travel free; however, they must be properly controlled.

Per the PPM, Service Animals, including guide dogs and monkeys, are permitted in passenger compartment of buses in regular service. These animals must be properly leashed or harnessed and must stand, sit or lie at the feet of the passenger. All other pets must be secured in closed containers. There will be no fare for pets. No animals or birds other than domesticated pets will be allowed on AATA buses.

A request had been given by a passenger to allow her "Service Animal" to sit in a passenger seat. An animal should never be allowed to sit in a passenger seat.

A driver should never request to see the credentials of a passenger's service animal. This is in violation of the Title IV rules for passengers with disabilities. If a passenger boards with a service animal the driver may ask, "Is that your service animal?" If the passenger responds with "Yes" then no other questions should be made.

Riding with Mobility Devices

Riders with wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters are welcome to bring their mobility devices along for the trip.

• All TheRide buses are low-floor, accessible vehicles, meaning there are no steps to climb and the bus has a ramp. TheRide buses can "kneel" down to lower your step. If you need any of these aids, ask the driver for assistance.

• Buses are able to accommodate two wheelchairs/scooters at a time on a first-come, first-served basis. Drivers will help the rider to secure the wheelchair/scooter in the designated area.

• Riders with walkers can use the area designated for strollers to store the walker, but the walker may have to be collapsed and secured if the area is already occupied.

Riding with Strollers

Riders traveling with a child in a stroller must be fold the stroller before boarding unless the designated stroller area is available. For the safety of the child, when traveling on a bus with no designated stroller area, the child should be removed from the stroller and the stroller should be folded. For the safety of all passengers, the stroller should be kept out of the aisle of the bus in order to avoid any tripping hazards.

Riding with Bikes

Bicycle Policy States:

• No special permit or advance reservation is required. There is no charge to transport bikes.

• For safety reasons, the operator will not leave the bus to assist passengers with the loading or unloading of bicycles.

• Bicycle racks can carry two bikes at a time and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the bike rack is full, the passenger will have to either lock up the bike up or wait for the next bus with available space on the bike rack.

• While waiting for the bus, the passenger should have removed any loose objects or personal items that could fall off the bike while in transit.

• Bicycles that are high enough to obstruct the view of the bus operator, recumbent bicycles, motorized bicycles, tandem bicycles, or bicycle tires that will not fit into the rack cannot be accepted on the bus. Items that protrude from the bicycle, such as flags/poles and attached carts are not allowed. When loading your bicycle, please first use the available rack position closet to the bus.

• While passenger safety is important to us, TheRide assumes no liability for injuries or damages incurred to bikes, personal property or persons while using the racks or riding the bus.

TheRide prohibits the following on its vehicles and property:

• Smoking (including e-cigarettes)

• Possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal substances

• Lack of proper attire (i.e. shirts and shoes)

• Loitering at transit centers and other bus stops

• Panhandling, soliciting, harassing or intimidating any person

• Disorderly, loud or disruptive behavior, including, but not limited to:

  • Obscene, threatening, inciting or insulting language and/or gestures

  • Running, yelling or throwing objects

  • Spitting, littering, vandalism or graffiti

  • Fighting, mock fighting or roughhousing

  • Standing, sitting, or walking in a way that inconveniences, obstructs or interferes with others (i.e. blocking doors, feet on seats, etc.)

  • Any actions which may interfere with or disrupt safe operation of TheRide vehicles and properties

• Use of radios, CD players, or other sound-producing devices without the use of personal headphones

• Bicycling, rollerblading or skateboarding, or wearing skates on TheRide vehicles

• Weapons of any kind or possession of any hazardous material or item (i.e. batteries, gas cans, etc.)

• Animals, except those used for service (i.e. guide dogs), must be transported in a suitable crate or container

• AAATA is not responsible for lost items

For passenger's safety and comfort, TheRide does not permit the activities listed on any of the TheRide vehicles or property. Violations may result in banning from TheRide property and loss of riding privileges. As a driver, if you encounter a person refusing to oblige please contact the online supervisor immediately and a road supervisor and/or police will be notified to respond immediately.

RIDE THE RIDE