ADA Accommodations
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted on board Atlantic County Transportation Services' vehicles.
Transit agencies may refuse to transport service animals that are deemed to pose a direct threat to the health or safety of drivers or other riders, create a seriously disruptive atmosphere, or are otherwise not under the rider’s control. For example, a rider with a service dog is responsible for ensuring the dog does not bite the driver or other riders. Conversely, a dog that barks occasionally would likely not be considered out of the owner’s control. 2-18 FTA C 4710.1 Chapter 2 – General Requirements
A passenger’s request that the driver take charge of a service animal may be denied. Caring for a service animal is the responsibility of the passenger or a PCA.
Section 37.167(d) does not prescribe limits on the number of service animals that accompany riders on a single trip. Different service animals may provide different services to a rider during trips or at the rider’s destination.
On complementary paratransit or other demand responsive services, transit agencies may ask riders for notification of their intent to ride with a service animal in order to help ensure adequate space is available for the animal.
Other riders’ or agency personnel’s allergies to dogs or other animals would not be grounds for denying service to a person accompanied by a service animal. The regulations explicitly state that service animals must be allowed to accompany individuals on vehicles and in facilities. Encountering a service animal in the transit or other environment is an expected part of being in public.
Portable Oxygen Tank
Portable oxygen tanks are permitted on board Atlantic County Transportation Services' vehicles.
Atlantic County Transportation Services will transport portable oxygen cylinders and respirators as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and cannot prohibit these devices on public transit vehicles. Only cylinders that are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions will be transported. Cylinders and respirators must be in good working condition and all cylinders must be secured.
Before boarding a bus with an oxygen cylinder, drivers will listen to/for leaks in the cylinder and inspect the cylinder for dents, gouges, or pitting. If any of these conditions exist, the cylinder will not be transported.
Drivers will never drag or roll a cylinder or carry a cylinder by the valve or regulator. Drivers will handle the cylinder with care during passenger loading and unloading. No more than three (3) cylinders will be transported at a time on one vehicle.
Drivers will secure each cylinder to prevent movement or leakage. “Secure” means the cylinder is not free to move when the vehicle is in motion. Unsecured cylinders pose a serious threat of injury in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
Drivers will never store cylinders in the aisle of the vehicle and passengers requiring oxygen must not restrict access to exits or use of the aisle.
Upon reaching the passenger’s destination, cylinders will be immediately removed from the vehicle. Smoking and open flames are always prohibited on (name of transit agency) vehicles. Because a release of oxygen from a cylinder could accelerate a fire, cylinders will be secured away from sources of heat or potential sparks.
Passengers are asked to notify Atlantic County Transportation Service of oxygen cylinder and respirator use when scheduling their trip.