Riders Guide

Customer Service:(330) 744 - 8431

Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

website: www.wrtaonline.com

All WRTA Buses Are Wheelchair Accessible.

EFFECTIVE 6-13-04

I.GENERAL INFORMATION

SERVICE AREA

WRTA provides fixed route and paratransit (Specialized Service Transportation or SST) service to residents in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.

SST service is a curb to curb, available to individuals who are certified ADA eligible and for senior citizens 65 years and older. For information on the service area contact customer service.

WRTA operates 12 fixed routes within Youngstown, and in some portions of Boardman, Austintown and Liberty. The bus system serves all Youngstown City high schools, Youngstown State University, all the hospitals and major shopping and employment centers.WRTA serves over 1.3 million riders per year covering nearly 149 square miles.

SERVICE HOURS

Fixed Route Service:Monday through Friday: 6:10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

SST Service:
Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

For additional information on routes, hours of operation, the night service or to schedule a trip on the SST contact customer service.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

FARES

II. SERVICE GUIDELINES

EXACT CHANGE/MONTHLY PASSES & COUPONS

Exact fare is required when boarding the bus. Drivers do not give change or carry cash. A full fare must be paid at the time service is provided or you will not be permitted to ride the bus. Monthly bus passes and coupon books can be purchased at Federal Station located
at 340 Federal Plaza West. For additional information contact the WRTA during normal business hours.

BOARDING AND EXITING THE BUS

Make sure you are standing in the direction the bus is traveling. Be at the bus stop at least five to ten minutes before your bus is
scheduled to arrive. Check the route sign and route number located above the windshield and on the side of the bus. Wait until the existing passengers exit the bus. If you need directions or would like the driver to stop at a certain location, please notify driver when you board the bus.

Deposit the exact fare or bus ticket into the fare box opening. If you use a monthly pass show the driver the updated monthly sticker on your photo I.D. If you have a transfer, please give it to the driver. If you need a transfer ask the driver for one after you pay the fare. Priority seating for disabled individuals is clearly marked and located toward the front of the bus. For safety reasons do not distract the driver with conversation.

To exit the bus, press the touch strip located above the seat at least one-half block before your stop to signal to the bus driver. If you are unfamiliar with an area the driver will be happy to assist you with directions. Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.Remember to gather your belongings and exit the bus with caution.

PROPER CONDUCT

Exercise proper conduct when riding the bus:

Eating,drinking, singing,loud shouting isprohibited

The playing of radios and/or hand held video devices while in any WRTA bus is prohibited.

Smokingisprohibited.

Intoxication, abusive language, harassment and physical contact of other passengers and/or the driver will not be tolerated.

Fire arms and weapons are prohibited on public
transportation vehicles and property.

WRTA maintains constant surveillance on various equipment and locations. Riding privileges may be suspended if the health and safety of other riders and/or drivers are threatened. Should any passenger disagree with this section, a complaint may be filed under the Comments and Complaints Section described in this handbook.

CARRY ON ITEMS

Carry on packets cannot exceed a number that a rider, a personal care attendant, or companion can comfortably handle and secure. Drivers will not carry parcels, groceries or other items on or off the bus.

Only service animals which have met the criteria as per the federal regulations are permitted on a vehicle. Should any passenger disagree with this section, a complaint may be filed under the Comments and Complaints Section described in this handbook.

PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT

A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is a person who specifically helps an ADA eligible individual meet his/her mobility needs. PCA's are identified as a mobility aid in the SST certification process.

When traveling with a PCA, both riders must have the same pick up and drop off points. PCA's do not pay a fare if they are scheduled correctly.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY

All WRTA buses are wheelchair accessible. WRTA vehicles can accommodate common wheelchairs up to 30 inches in width, by 48 inches in length, with a combined weight of 600 pounds or less when
occupied. Wheelchairs must have fully functional brakes that can be locked when a vehicle is in motion or during wheelchair transport.

III.TYPES OF SERVICE

FIXED ROUTE

WRTA operates a total of 12 day time fixed routes Monday through Friday. Each schedule is identified with a route number, a route name and a brief description of where service is provided along the route. All schedules are identified with a detailed map showing the direction of travel, the arrival and departure time at major stops along the route. Scheduled times are subject to traffic, detours, and weather conditions beyond WRTA's control. Schedules are available at Federal Station located at 340 Federal Plaza West or by contacting customer service.

TRIP PLANNING/TRAVEL TRAINING

Anyone wishing to travel within the WRTA service area can request a computer generated travel itinerary. WRTA provides standard travel training by appointment only, to individuals who want to learn how to ride a bus. Anyone wishing further information can contact customer service.

SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE (SST)

WRTA operates a curb to curb paratransit service, known as the Special Service Transportation or SST. The SST service supplements the fixed route service and is provided to individuals with disabilities and seniors citizens 65 years of age and older. Disabled individuals are required to submit Section I and Section II of the SST application. Senior citizens are required to complete Section I of the application and are eligible to ride the service based on the age requirement.

The SST service is not intended to be a solecomprehensive system of transportation for individuals with disabilities. Disability alone does not qualify a person to ride the SST under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Eligibility is determined on an individual basis
by the WRTA ADA coordinators using the following criteria:

Category I - Persons who are unable to board, ride, or exit a bus even if they are able to get to the bus stop and the bus is accessible.

Category II - Persons who cannot use buses unless they have wheelchair lifts or other accommodations.

Category III - Persons with disabilities who cannot travel to or from a bus stop. A person is eligible in this category if travel is impossible because of architectural and/or environmental barriers that, when combined with the person's disability, prevent that individual from reaching a bus stop.

WRTA has a Administrative Appeals Process for those denied eligibility to the ADA Complementary Paratransit Service. All appeals must be in writing and filed with the Executive Director
within sixty 60 days from the date stated on the denial letter. Appeals shall be mailed to:

Western Reserve Transit Authority
Executive Director
604 Mahoning Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44502

For further information on the SST program, please contact customer service.

SST RESERVATIONS

To schedule or cancel a SST trip call:(330)744-8431:

Monday through Friday 7:00a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sundays only please call (330)744-8433 extention 200 leave the following information on the recorder: Name,phone number, address of pickup and drop off, time of pick up and return. You will be contacted on Monday with confirmation.

Note: leaving this information does not guarentee transportation.

Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance and are based on a first come first serve basis.
To cancel a SST trip outside normal business hours only call (330)744 - 8433, Extension 200.

SST NO SHOWS AND LATE CANCELLATIONS

A no show and late cancellation is a customer missing a scheduled pick-up without giving SST schedulers at least a twenty four hour advance notice of cancellation. No shows do not include trips missed for reasons such as vehicle operational problems, unsafe weather conditions, traffic, and late pick ups. When ever possible cancel your trip at least 24 hours before your scheduled pick up. Penalties for excessive no shows and late cancellations are combined and monitored for each registered ADA SST rider. For copies of the No Show and Late Cancellation Policy, please contact customer service.

SST SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Subscription service is for repetitive trips taken each week (i.e. employment trips taken at the same time every day or dialysis trips
taken three times per week at the same time). WRTA has the option to charge double the SST fare for subscription trips. Subscription trips are on a first come first serve basis. An individual must notify the SST scheduling office to make changes on subscription trips.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Service changes are posted on "Just For You" signs at Federal Station terminal. These signs are located at the entrance and exit doors, the customer service window, and on the wall above the fixed route schedules. Holiday service and hours are posted on each schedule and riders are reminded of holiday service by signs on the
fare box. Please remember that schedule times are subject to traffic,detours, and weather conditions that are beyond the WRTA control.

COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS

All comments and complaints should be immediately brought to the attention of:

Western Reserve Transit Authority
Customer Service Center
604 Mahoning Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44502
Phone (330) 744-8431
Fax (330) 744-7611

Include as much information as possible so that a complaint can be recorded and adequately investigated. Every effort is made to resolve complaints within 5 working days.