Section 840-RICR-00-00-3.3 - Passenger GuidelinesA. To promote safe, efficient, and effective service to customers: 1. Please Have the Proper Fare Your operator may deny service if you do not have proper fare or improperly use fare media, such as using someone else's ID card or using expired, damaged, or mutilated passes. RIPTA time-based fare passes are non-transferable.2. We Welcome Service Animals a. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines Service Animals as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.b. Service Animals that are trained to assist people with disabilities are welcome on board. You must keep your Service Animal under your control and ensure they remain well behaved throughout the ride. According to the ADA, Service Animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual's disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.c. Other animals or pets can ride only if they are inside a cage or case that fits on your lap.3. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Mobility Devices The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that any ADA mobility device on board a bus be secured to protect your fellow passengers and yourself. The operator will secure your device.4. Be Considerate of Others a. Passengers are asked to move from the priority seating area by the door to give seats to seniors and people with disabilities. Please cooperate with your operator to ensure everyone has a safe ride.b. Loud and disruptive behavior affects everyone. Passengers may not engage in fighting, threatening or violent or tumultuous behavior. Passengers may not direct at other passengers or at RIPTA Personnel offensive words which are likely to provoke a violent reaction on the part of the average Person so addressed.5. Turn Down the Volume Use a low speaking voice during cell phone conversations and avoid using offensive words. Use headphones with sound-producing electronic devices such as cell phones. Headphones should be kept at a low to moderate volume. Your favorite playlist should be a private experience. This includes any and all sound-amplifying or voice-projecting devices.6. Keep It Clean No feet on the seat. Do not leave trash behind. Shirt and shoes must be worn while riding. RIPTA requires that its customers maintain acceptable personal hygiene when riding the bus to the extent that such failure becomes offensive and intolerable to other riders and presents serious health or safety risks; unless such failure is the result of a medical condition or disability that can be demonstrated.7. Non-Alcoholic Beverages RIPTA permits the transportation and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages on Transit Vehicles when the beverage is in a leak-proof container with a lid.B. As stated, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's highest priority is the safety, security and prosperity of its passengers and operators and, therefore, conduct that is violent, seriously disruptive or illegal, or represents a direct threat to the health or safety of others is prohibited on Transit Vehicles and in RIPTA Facilities, as indicated by context and includes, but is not limited to: 1. Violating an exclusion order issued according to § 3.4 of this Part - Enforcement.2. Carrying any flammable liquid, explosive, acid, or other article or material likely to cause harm to others.3. Illegally carrying or storing a firearm, shotgun, rifle, or other dangerous weapon or article.4. Falsely reporting an incident.5. Falsely representing oneself as eligible for a special or reduced fare or obtaining any permit or pass related to the RIPTA transit system by making a false representation.6. Falsely claiming to be or criminally impersonating a transit operator, other transit employee, or volunteer; or through words, actions and/or the use of clothes, insignia, or equipment resembling department issued uniforms and equipment, intending to create a false impression that he or she is a transit operator, other transit employee, or volunteer.7. Interfering or tampering with mobile data computers, fare boxes, public address systems, surveillance equipment, or any other equipment.8. Wearing an article of clothing or equipment that covers the face except where the clothing or equipment is worn for religious or medical purposes, or to comply with Rhode Island Department of Health guidance or Regulations or an Executive Order.9. Consuming an alcoholic beverage.10. Engaging in any form of illegal gambling.11. Hanging or swinging on bars or stanchions, with feet off the floor.12. Hanging onto or otherwise attaching oneself at any time to the exterior of RIPTA Facilities or Transit Vehicles.13. Throwing objects, spitting, fighting, or extending an object or a portion of one's body through the door or window of Transit Vehicles in a manner that has the capacity to cause damage or injury to oneself, others, or to RIPTA Facilities and Transit Vehicles.14. Standing or remaining in front of the yellow line marked on the forward end of the floor of any RIPTA bus while the bus is in motion or after being asked to step back behind the line by the Operator.15. Obstructing the functionality of Public Transportation Services and deteriorating passenger or one's own safety and comfort by preventing access to or preventing the flow of Transit Vehicles, blocking RIPTA Patrons use of RIPTA Facilities including benches and Bus Shelter space, or by entering RIPTA Facilities or Transit Vehicles when lacking the ability to care for oneself - due to illness, intoxication, or medication(s) - becomes an actual or potential threat to the health, safety, comfort or wellbeing of oneself, RIPTA patrons, RIPTA Employees or the General Public, among other things.16. Assaulting, harassing or intimidating the operator or other passengers, destroying, damaging, or tampering RIPTA Facilities or Transit Vehicles, and any other explicitly illegal conduct could cause you to be arrested or banned from RIPTA Facilities or Transit Vehicles. Assault or Battery of a Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus driver is a felony. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-5.17. Commercial Activities, as defined in § 3.2, are prohibited in RIPTA Facilities and on Transit Vehicles. These activities include, but are not limited to, soliciting, canvassing, selling, or distributing any material with the intent to promote or sell a product or service. The carrying of signs is permitted as long as any sign does not impede upon the health, safety, and comfort of other RIPTA Patrons.18. Using any smoking device, such as "e-cigarettes" or "vaping"; or carrying or holding a lit or smoldering pipe, cigar, or cigarette on RIPTA's Transit Vehicles or in RIPTA Facilities.840 R.I. Code R. 840-RICR-00-00-3.3
Adopted effective 12/27/2020