Klickitat County Senior Services/ Mount Adams Transportation Services (MATS)  ADA Policy

ADA Policy

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is civil rights legislation which requires that persons with disabilities receive transportation services equal to those available on a fixed route service.

It is the policy of KCSS/MATS that, when viewed in their entirety, services, programs, facilities, and communications provided by MATS, directly or by a contracted service provider, are readily accessible and usable to individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. 49. CFR 37.105

1. Fare

Fare for MATS trips are posted on our web site and in all MATS vehicles as well as available by calling MATS offices.

2. Holiday Closures

MATS is closed on the following nationally recognized holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day and provides only essential medical transportation trips on those dates (such as: dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation appointments).

3. Approved Equipment

Passengers will be transported provided the lift and vehicle can physically accommodate them, unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements (e.g. the combined weight of the wheelchair/occupant exceeds that of the lift specifications. Additionally, Mt. Adams Transportation Service can accommodate mobility devices that meet following minimum standards:

• Wheelchair means a mobility aid belonging to any class of three or more wheels, usable indoors, designed or modified for and use by individuals with mobility impairments, whether manually operated or powered

• Walkers must be collapsible and able to be stored between seats or in the vehicle’s trunk.

• The mobility device must be in good working order; with batteries charged, tires inflated, and all parts secure. (49 CFR 37.3)

4. Mobility Device Brakes

When occupying a lift or securement area, it is recommended that passengers apply the brakes on their mobility devices; however, they are not required to do so. With power chairs or scooters, it is recommended that the power switch be turned to the “off” position. Again, this is not mandatory.

5. Portable Oxygen Use

Individuals with disabilities who use portable oxygen devices are allowed to travel with respirators and properly secured portable oxygen supplies. Oxygen supplies must not obstruct the aisle. (49 CFR 37.167(h))

6. Securement Policy

Operators will use front and rear tie-downs to secure mobility devices. Operators will secure mobility devices at the strongest parts of the device; however, the passenger can indicate the most optimal tie-down spot. The mobility device will be secured front facing unless otherwise requested by the passenger. Drivers will assist passengers with securement systems, ramps, and seatbelts; however, drivers cannot assist riders using power chairs or scooters with the operation of their equipment. MATS cannot refuse to transport someone whose mobility device cannot be satisfactorily restrained provided that mobility device fits within the definition described in Section 3. (49 CFR 37.165)

7. Stop Announcements

Stops at major intersections, transfer points, and destination points will be announced on fixed route buses. Transit operators will announce other stops upon request. (49 CFR 37.167 (a-c))

8. Personal Care Attendants

A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) may ride with you at no charge. A PCA is someone who travels with, and helps, a rider who is not able to travel alone. You must provide your own PCA if you need one. Please let us know when scheduling a ride whether or not you will be using a PCA. This information will guarantee a place for him or her to ride with you.

Guests and companions may ride with you on MATS. Guests and companions must pay regular fare. A companion is anyone who rides with you who is not designated as your PCA. (49 CFR 37 (d))

9. Service Animals

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. In order to ride MATS:

• The service animal must be on a leash, tether or harness unless use of such a device would interfere with the task the service animal performs or the person’s disability prevents use of such devices.

• The service animal must remain under control of the owner and behave appropriately at all times.

• The animal must remain under control of the owner, and behave appropriately.

• Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and cats must be kept in an enclosed carrier/container.

• The animal must remain at your feet or on your lap. It may not sit on a vehicle seat.

• The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals.

• You are responsible for any damage caused by the animal. (49 CFR 37.167 (d))

10. Boarding Assistance

Drivers shall position the vehicle to make boarding and de-boarding as easy as possible for everyone, minimize the slope of the ramp, and use the kneeling option as needed. Drivers shall provide assistance to passengers upon request. Passengers with disabilities shall be allowed adequate time to board and disembark the vehicle.

11. Maintenance of Lifts or Ramps

Drivers must test the lift or ramp during the pre-trip inspection. Break down of accessibility equipment must be reported immediately to dispatch. A vehicle with an inoperable lift or ramp must be removed from service as soon as possible and cannot be returned to service until repaired. If there is a lift or ramp failure, a replacement vehicle must be dispatched if the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in more than 30 minutes. If the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in 30 minutes or less, a replacement vehicle may be dispatched if available. (49.CFR 37.163)

12. Priority Seating

Upon request, drivers shall ask – but not require – passengers to yield priority seating at the front of the bus to seniors and persons with disabilities. Drivers are not required to enforce the priority seating designation beyond making such a request.

13. Reserved Seating

Mobility device securement areas on buses are reserved. Passengers using common mobility aids shall be boarded if the securement areas are not otherwise occupied by a mobility device, regardless of the number of passengers on the bus. Drivers are required to ask passengers sitting in the securement areas to move to other available seats or to stand.

14. Suspension of Service

A rider’s privileges may be suspended for any of the following infractions on any MATS property, including vehicles, bus stops, or stations:

• Smoking or carrying a lit pipe, cigar, or cigarette (unless in a designated smoking area).

• Discarding or dumping litter in places other than the recognized receptacles.

• Consuming alcoholic beverages or in procession of alcoholic beverages.

• Loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, or harassing behavior.

• Possessing an unissued transfer.

• Engaging in other conduct that is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the transit facility, station, or vehicle. (RCW 9.91.025)

15. Notification of Policy

MATS will notify the public of the ADA policy on the website.

16. Complaint Process

MATS is committed to providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation options for the community. MATS has established a Customer Complaint Policy and customers wishing to file a complaint and/or obtain a copy of the Customer Complaint Policy may contact MATS at (509)773-3757, or in person at MATS administration office located at 115 West Court Street in Goldendale, WA (RCW 46.07b)

17. Reasonable Modification

Requests for modifications of MATS policies, practices, or procedures to accommodate an individual with a disability may be made either in advance or at the time of the transportation service. MATS is best able to address and accommodate a request when customers make their requests for before the trip. Contact MATS office customer service for questions

18. Direct Threat

If a person is violent, seriously disruptive, or engaging in illegal conduct MATS may, consistent with established procedures for all riders, refuse to carry the passenger. A person who poses a significant risk to others may be excluded [from service] if reasonable modifications to the public accommodation’s policies, practices, or procedures will not eliminate that risk. (49CFR 37.5 App. D/ 29 CFR 36.208)

Behaviors that may cause immediate exclusion from the system include:

▪ Destruction of public property (the vehicle, and/or its furnishings)

▪ Doing violence to others or to oneself

▪ Behavior that is seriously unruly, seriously disruptive, threatening, or frightening to others

▪ Behavior that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle

▪ Violations of service animal policy by failing to control one’s service animal

▪ Violations of operating rules governing the provision of transportation system-wide

▪ Engaging in illegal conduct.

▪ Other conduct judged by MATS to represent an actual or potential threat to the health, safety or wellbeing of oneself, the operator, other passengers, and/or transit personnel.

Passengers who are excluded from the system due to a direct threat have the ability to request an administrative appeal by contacting Mt. Adams Transportation Service (MATS) at 509-773-3757.