RIDERSHIP AND PASSENGER CONDUCT POLICY
(Information is available in accessible formats upon request; contact MET Transit for assistance.)
For the comfort and safety of all passengers, the following conduct is expected of all individuals utilizing transit services and locations:
- Cooperate with requests from transit personnel including Operators and Transit Police.
- Be considerate.
- Respect the privacy of others.
- Refrain from unnecessary conversation with the bus Operator.
Passengers should remain seated while on a transit vehicle or ensure they are holding onto a stanchion if standing; vehicles make multiple stops and drivers may not always be able to visually verify every passenger is seated or holding a stanchion before the vehicle moves. Passengers may never stand in front of the white "standee" line while the bus is in operations. Passengers should refrain from behavior that violates MET Transit operating rules or intrudes on the comfort, ability to utilize transit, safety, and welfare of others including, but not limited to:
Violence, Harassment, and Interaction with Personnel and Other Passengers
- Interfering with the safe operation of the vehicle.
- Endangering or threatening the welfare of others.
- Roughhousing, horseplay, or fighting.
- Using excessive profanity or offensive language, screaming, or shouting.
- Threatening, harassing, or intimidating others.
- Weapons possession including knives and firearms.
- Throwing any object at transit property or at any person on transit property.
- Discharging a laser emitting device on a transit vehicle or directing device at a vehicle or person.
- Vandalism and tampering with equipment.
- Soliciting unless otherwise authorized by MET management.
Food, Drink, and Other Consumables
- Consumption of food on vehicles unless authorized by the Operator.
- Drinking from a container with no lid.
- Consumption of alcohol.
- Possession of an open container of alcohol.
- Drunk or disorderly conduct; to promote the safety of all passengers, highly inebriated passengers may be refused service at the discretion of transit personnel.
- Possession or use of illegal drugs, huffing, etc.
Smoking and Tobacco Products
- Smoking or using e-cigarettes or vapes in unauthorized areas or within twenty (20) feet of a facility entrance, vehicle, or bus shelter/bench.
- Spitting tobacco products other than into trash cans or containers.
- Disposing of cigarette butts other than in marked containers.
- Lighting matches or lighters other than in designated smoking areas.
Personal Items, Strollers, and Walkers
- Littering or leaving trash and other discarded items on vehicles or at facilities.
- Bringing car batteries onto a bus.
- Bringing any item on the bus which constitutes a hazard to other passengers including tools, building materials, or other items not authorized by the Operator.
- Blocking an aisle way with a stroller, walker, cart, luggage, or other items. All strollers and walkers are required to be folded and stowed out of the aisle.
- Children are to be removed from strollers and held in the passenger’s lap for safety.
- Obstructing a mobility device securement area with any item.
- Playing music, videos, or other electronic devices without using headphones.
- Viewing or using obscene or inappropriate materials.
- Playing musical instruments.
Personnel Hygiene and Dress
- Urinating or defecating except in restrooms.
- .Spitting
- To protect the health of all passengers, MET will remove or deny access to any passenger whose bodily fluids are exposed. This includes, but is not limited to, body eliminations, saliva and blood.
- .Indecent exposure
- Bringing onto transit property or vehicles any odors and substances which unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system, whether such odors or substances are from one’s person, clothes, articles, accompanying animal or any other source.
- All passengers are required to wear basic attire including shirts or styles of tops, pants or styles of bottoms, and foot coverings including shoes, sandals, or boots.
Fare Payment and Passes
- Refusing to pay required fares.
- Refusing to verify eligibility of discount fare rates.
- Sharing a pass (other than punch cards).
Seating and Utilizing Standee Areas
- Refusing to relinquish posted seating to the elderly or individuals with disabilities.
- Placing feet on seats or seat backs, or lying down in the seats.
- Hanging or swinging from stanchions.
- Loitering without the intent to use transit services.
- Using benches, vehicles, or other facilities as a place to sleep or camp.
- Using transit without an intended destination for more than one complete route trip or using transit services, vehicles, or facilities for purposes other than transportation.
TRANSIT PERSONNEL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL NOT ADHERING TO THE RIDERSHIP AND PASSENGER CONDUCT POLICY. ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE BUS AND/OR FACILITY AS WELL AS BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW
The code of conduct applies to all activities that occur in or on any Department of Aviation and Transit Properties including:
- Any transit vehicle.
- Transit centers.
- Parking areas.
- Bus stops, shelters, benches or other passenger facilities.
- Any Department administrative, operations, and maintenance facilities.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited on MET Transit:
- Gasoline or flammable liquids
- Weapons are not allowed on MET Transit vehicles, at the Transfer Centers, or on any MET property.
- Animals (except service animals and animals confined to a carry-on, lap size box).
- Car batteries.
- Fireworks.
- Roller skates, rollerblades, and metal spike shoes (you may hand carry these items on the bus).
Animals
- Small pets may not be brought aboard a transit vehicle unless they are in a pet crate or container; small pets may be leashed and held in a passenger’s lap
- Large pets that cannot be placed in a container or held in a passenger lap are not allowed
- Animals designated under the American’s with Disabilities Act as service animals are allowed as long as they are providing service to a passenger.
Mobility Devices
- All MET vehicles are equipped with a lift or ramp system to allow passengers who use a mobility device (wheelchair, walker, etc) to easily board and disembark the vehicle. Passengers do not need to use a mobility device to use the lift or ramp, simply let the driver know you need to use the lift/ramp.
- When the lift or ramp is deploying, please stand clear of the lift or ramp to ensure your safety.
