WAPT Guidelines and Policies

WAPT Guiding Policies & Guidelines

West Alabama Public Transportation

POLICY FOR ASSISTING PASSENGERS

West Alabama Public Transportation operates under the following established policy to provide safe and courteous service to passengers. The policy states sound practices as a guide for drivers to use in their daily provision of services to the public.

Driver Guidelines to Assisting Passengers:

Boarding/Un-boarding

Drivers should make every attempt to maintain sight of the vehicle when providing service. WAPT is a door-to-door service. Therefore, the driver may provide reasonable assistance to passenger. The driver should stay within an approximate 25’ radius of the transportation vehicle to ensure the safety of passengers on board and the security of the vehicle. Drivers should greet each passenger and inquire if assistance is needed.

During pick-up, the driver is allowed to start assist the passenger from a building exit (cannot enter a building or house) to the transportation vehicle. Assistance may also include opening of a door, offering an arm for security, and helping with a minimal number of packages. (All OUTSIDE of a building or house).
During drop-off, the driver is allowed to assist the passenger to the building entrance (cannot enter a building or house) upon return. Assistance may include helping to take a minimal number of packages to the doorstep (All OUTSIDE of a building or house).

If the passenger needs further assistance, they should have a friend or family member accompany them as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Personal Care Assistants are not charged a fare to accompany the passenger but the rider should tell the dispatcher when scheduling the trip so a seat is available. The PCA should have the ability to assist the passenger with their needs.

Medical Assistance

Drivers are minimally trained to implement Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Drivers are not trained to provide extensive medical assistance.

Access Ramps

The access ramp which leads a path to the passenger’s mobility device must be properly cleared and passible. If the access ramp at passenger’s pick-up designation is impassible, the provision of transportation may not be possible. The path must be paved and/or kept clear of snow, ice, parked cars, trash, gravel, tree roots and other obstructions. The wheelchair ramp should be at least 3 ft. wide, with a slope of 1:12 (a 1” rise for every 12” of incline). Further, the access ramp must be constructed of decking boards installed crosswise for traction and have guard rails on each side.

Any passenger is able to utilize ADA vehicle accessibility features for boarding and de-boarding the vehicle.

Passengers using a mobility device may transfer to a regular seat in the vehicle if the passenger wishes to do so and is able to do so with minimal assistance from the driver. Drivers are not permitted to lift, pull or slide any individual to enable them to transfer into or out of a regular seat.

Parcels

Parcels or groceries are allowed if the passenger can reasonably carry and control them. The passenger must be able to load the parcel(s) on and off the vehicle in one trip, stabilize the parcels on the vehicle and control the parcels throughout the trip.

For non-ambulatory passengers or other passengers with disabilities, the parcels should be such that the driver or an accompanying person can carry the parcels on and off the vehicle in one trip.

Any parcel that either directly or indirectly threatens the safe transportation of passengers will not be allowed. Only the drier or the Personal Care Assistant may assist with passenger parcels. Other passengers can not assist.

For Reasonable Modification for Riders - See "Reasonable Modification Policy".

West Alabama Public Transportation

VEHICULAR ACCIDENT/INCIDENT POLICY

West Alabama Public Transportation uses the guidelines below as policy for actions to take in case of vehicular accident, incident or emergency. Drivers are trained on steps to take in various cases of emergency. Mainly, keeping in touch with the dispatcher is primary key to successfully working through an emergency.

Vehicular Accident

If a vehicular accident occurs, the Drivers should:

REMAIN CALM and immediately assess the situation.
Assess the situation and check the general condition of all passengers.
Call the WAPT Dispatcher immediately and share as much information as possible so the Office can call 911 with exact location.
If possible, place the vehicle in a safe situation.
Place markers/flares out to warn traffic.
Be prepared to use first-aid training until professional help arrives.
Cooperate with law enforcement; gather names and addresses of all parties involved including vehicle tag number, insurance carrier, and names of investigating officer. Also, be sure you have a phone and address for all passengers.
Keep in close contact with the dispatcher throughout.
Do not leave the scene under any circumstances.
Do not place blame or admit to blame. The law enforcement will investigate and gather facts of the accident.
Never speak to the media about the accident.
Once released by officials at the scene and, if needed, a substitute bus arrives to complete route, office staff will ask the driver to report for drug/alcohol testing.
The driver should then immediately complete necessary accident paperwork in detail which is to be submitted to the Operations Director at the end of shift.

If a vehicular accident occurs, the Office Staff should:

Listen and expect to keep in close contact with the Driver.
Remain calm; await the location and severity of the accident/incident.
Work together to assist the driver with radio/phone instructions.
Call 911 with exact location of the transportation vehicle.
The Director or Operations Manager may go to the scene based on the severity of the accident/incident.

REVENUE & BOOKKEEPING POLICY

West Alabama Public Transportation has set forth the following operational guidelines for financial operations as standard practice of the organization.

Fares

It is the responsibility of the driver to collect fares from passengers. Passengers are required to present exact fare when boarding. Once the fare is collected, the driver must place the fare in the collection container provided. The driver is to turn in all fares and driver manifests to the dispatcher/office staff daily. All monies are verified and balanced to the driver manifest in the presence of the driver.

Balance & Record

It is necessary that accounting staff balance and reconcile the farebox with the trip data information, record and deposit all incoming monies, including fares, donations, contracts, advertising, etc. The accounting staff must accurately enter amounts into the accounting software. All monies are verified, balanced, and reconciled to the driver manifest, bank deposits to the accounting software and to the general ledger accounting records to ensure accountability.

Deposits

Funds are always to be secured and deposited swiftly to eliminate theft. From these records of deposits certain federal, state and transit reports are generated and privy to review by Director.

*For current fare structure and available discount fares, please visit the website at:

www.westalpt.com

Petty Cash

West Alabama Public Transportation does not have a petty cash fund.

West Alabama Public Transportation

POLICY/PROCEDURES

for

ACCIDENTS, INCIDENT, EMERGENCIES, BREAKDOWNS

Accidents

An accident involves a vehicle or another vehicle. Accidents will result in disciplinary actions when:

The driver fails to obey the rules and regulations of WAPT
The driver fails to obey traffic laws

All accidents, no matter how minor, involving property and/or physical injury will immediately be reported to the Main Office and further actions and directions will be given by the Operations Manager. Failure to report an accident to the proper personnel will result in disciplinary actions up to and including immediate termination of employment. (See Vehicular Accident/Incident Policy for more information.)

Incidents

An incident is the result of something that occurs on the vehicle, in the office or with a passenger. An incident is any unusual event or illness that results in the injury or harm to an individual or vehicle i.e. a rock striking a windshield, wheelchair tipping over, a customer acting in a threatening manner, individual not responding or seizures. All incidents are to be reported immediately to the Director. A written report should be made and kept on file in the Main Office. (See Vehicular Accident/Incident Policy for more information.)

Emergencies

Emergencies are very frightening and stressful. Emergency information should be stored in the plastic sleeve on the visor of each vehicle. This information consists of emergency phone numbers, bus information, insurance information etc. The following guidelines and actions must be followed appropriately to maintain professional in emergency situations.

Keep calm
Protect your passengers, yourself and your vehicle
Never leave the scene of the accident; Take pictures of incident.
Report to the dispatcher so instructions from the Main Office supervisor can be followed. If office is closed contact your direct supervisor, who will then provide guidance. Forward, by text, any pictures of incident you may have.
Complete the required reports due to the Main Office at end of shift.
Complete drug and alcohol testing as necessary.

Vehicular Breakdowns

Vehicular breakdown is defined as anytime a vehicle will not function in a safe manner as designed. In the event the vehicular breakdown occurs while in route, the driver must adhere to the following guidelines:

Pull off the highway and park in a safe location that is level and on stable ground.
Report to the Main Office dispatcher immediately
Remain calm and reassure passengers
Set triangles properly for safety
Wait for mechanic/tow truck to arrive.