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RULES FOR RIDERS

> RULES FOR RIDERS

RULES FOR RIDERS

Island Transit Bus Service is Fare Free
Island Transit does not charge a fare to ride its buses. That makes it easy to ride with us! Island Transit service is primarily funded through voter-approved sales tax of 9/10’s of one-percent. That means that for every $10 taxable purchase in Island County,
9 cents in sales tax is collected for Island Transit service. State and federal funds also help pay for our bus service.

What type of service does Island Transit provide?

As the bus approaches, raise and lower your arm over your head several times to catch the driver’s attention. Be sure to stay back from the edge of the road to allow the bus enough room to pull off. During dark or foggy weather we suggest you have a flashlight that you can wave for the driver to see you.

• Fixed route bus service described in this service guide
• Paratransit service
• County connector service
• Rideshare/Vanpool
• On Demand

Paratransit Service
To accommodate persons with disabilities who may have difficulty riding the bus, Island Transit operates a system of paratransit buses. To find out if you might be eligible for paratransit service, please go to the Island Transit website or call 360-678-7771.

Reasonable Modification
Island Transit provides reasonable modification of policy and practice upon request
to ensure that our services are accessible to registered persons with disabilities. Please contact Island Transit for more information.

Bike & Ride
Island Transit vehicles are equipped with bike racks, available on a first-come-first-serve basis. As the bus approaches, have your bike ready to go. Remove water bottles and any loose items which may fall off during transit. For safety reasons, the Operator may not get off the bus to assist. Bikes are only allowed inside the bus at the Operator’s discretion.

Observed Holidays/No Service

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Scheduled Changes
During adverse weather conditions such as snow, power outages, windstorms, load limits, and more, Island Transit may be required to detour, suspend, or cancel bus services. Riders will be kept informed during these service disruptions on the website, through a news e-alert, and via social media. In some cases, schedules may also be impacted by road closures, ferry service delays, and accidents. Please allow for extra travel time and we thank you for your patience.

Flag Stops
What is a flag stop? A flag stop is when a rider boards the bus at a location that is not an established bus stop with a posted bus stop sign. Flagging the bus down is an option only in certain areas.
How do I flag a bus? As the bus approaches, raise and lower your arm over your head several times to catch the driver’s attention. Be sure to stay back from the edge of the road to allow the bus enough room to pull off. During dark or foggy weather we suggest you have a flashlight you can wave for the driver to see you.

Express Routes
Express Routes do not perform flag stops within the defined route.

Lost & Found
If you believe you have left a personal belonging on the bus, please contact our office at 360-678-7771, Monday-Friday, 8am–4pm. We will check to see if the item described has been turned in. If an item has been found, arrangements will be made for pick up at Island Transit’s offices located at 19758 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239.
Island Transit is not responsible for items lost or left behind on buses, any items that are found or turned in will be kept for a maximum of 60 days with the exception of illegal drugs, alcohol, and perishable food items.

Your Rights under Title VI
Island Transit operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes they may have been unlawfully discriminated against for these reasons may file a complaint with Island Transit. Please call 360-678-7771 for more information.
Para obtener información sobre la política de no discriminación del Título VI en relación con la discriminación por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional, comuníquese al 360-678-7771.

Language Assistance
Information and assistance in your language is available upon request. Please contact us at 1-360-678-7771.
Asistencia lingüística para los pasajeros de Island Transit. La información y asistencia en su idioma se encuentra a su disposición, previa solicitud. Comuníquese con no-sotros a través del 1-360-678-7771.

Disembarking the Bus
After disembarking the bus, you must stand clear until the bus has pulled away. Never cross in front or directly behind the bus, Operators are not responsible for passengers once they have departed the bus.

Policies & Procedures DO:

• Please remove children from strollers and collapse the stroller prior to entering the bus.
• All children six years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
• Shirt and shoes required.
• Please be courteous to other passenger.
DON’T:
• No smoking within 25 feet of Island Transit property.
• No food or drink on the bus (drinks in closed lid containers are allowed).
• No loud music (if it is audible from earphones—it is too loud).
• No disruptive behaviors.
• Do not carry more packages than manageable in one trip.

• No handtrucks, dollies, wagons, fuel containers, fireworks, or batteries allowed on the buses.

Pets/ Service Animals
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as dogs that are individually trained or in training to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Service animals and service animals in training are welcome on all our buses.
When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal, or service animal in training, required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask the dog to demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Service animals and service animals in training must be harnessed, leashed, or teth-ered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s and service animal in training’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

Service animals and service animals in training, regardless of training or certification, may be denied transportation if the animal is out of control or if the animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Non-Service Animal: Pets and non-service animals are allowed on the buses with the following rules: Pets may ride if they are placed in a small carrier or container. Riders bringing a pet onboard are responsible for the animal and will be held liable for the behavior and action of the animal. If transferring to a transit system outside of the Island Transit service areas—please review their pet policy before traveling. Animals, insects, or reptiles known to be venomous are not allowed under any circumstances.

Comfort and Emotional Support Animals: Comfort and emotional support animals do not meet the definition of a service animal or service animal in training under state and federal guidelines. Animals other than dogs who are not working service animals or service animals in training, must be in a pet carrier or container.

For more information regarding traveling with a service animal, visit the Federal Transit Administration—FTA Website: Frequently Asked Questions | FTA (dot.gov)

Audio/Video Cameras
All transit vehicles are equipped with audio and video cameras.
It’s the Law—RCW 9.91.025: Unlawful Transit Conduct
The Revised Code of Washington RCW 9.91.025 states that a person is guilty of unlawful transit conduct and/or unlawful bus conduct if, while on or in a municipal transit vehicle as defined by RCW 46.04.355 as now or hereafter amended or reenacted, or in or at a municipal transit station, he or she:

• Transporting dangerous, flammable, or explosive materials.
• Discarding hazardous substances or automotive fluids.
• Obstructing transit vehicles, services, or passengers.
• Consuming or being under the influence of illicit drugs, alcohol, or any intoxicating beverage, or possessing open alcoholic beverage containers.
• Unreasonably disturbing or harassing others by being unruly, loud, harmful, raucous, or intimidating.
• Throwing an object with intent to do harm.
• Destroying, defacing, or damaging property.
• Gambling.
• Smoking or using electronic smoking devices on the bus.
• Littering.
• Spitting.
• Urinating or defecating, except in a restroom.
• Playing sound-producing equipment without earphones or similar device.
• Skating or riding skateboard-type equipment.
• Possessing or trying to use an unissued transfer or fare media.
• Impersonating a transit employee.
• Engaging in other conduct inconsistent with transit operations and refusing to obey the lawful command(s) of an agent of the transit authority or a peace officer to cease such conduct.

Unlawful Transit Conduct (UTC) is a misdemeanor offense with a maximum fine of
$1,000, incarceration for 90 days, or both fine and imprisonment. Violators may also be excluded from transit services.
Don’t touch the driver

Assault on a Transit Employee. Assaulting a transit operator or any transit employee is a Class C Felony (RCW 9A.36.031). It is also a federal offense, and is punishable under the U.S. Patriot Act.

Island transit Personal Property Disclaimer
Island Transit is not responsible for personal property of passengers on Island Transit vehicles, including lost, stolen, or damaged personal property. This disclaimer also includes and covers all mobility aids on transit vehicles onboard, during boarding, securing and disembarking.

Know the LAW - Weapons

As of June 6th, 2024, state law prohibits weapons on any property owned or operated by Island Transit including:

facilities, stations, buses, and stops.

Thank you for helping our community be safer.

Washington Senate Bill 5444

No Weapons of Any Kind: