Patrons are required to follow these rules of conduct to ensure the safety, welfare, and comfort of other riders, drivers, SVTA employees, the SVTA organization, and the public at large:
Use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs is not permitted on vehicles or SVTA facilities, including covered transit sheltered areas. Riders who appear to be overly under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to board vehicles or participate in SVTA sponsored events.
Eating & drinking are not permitted on vehicles unless medically necessary and in an approved, properly working drink holder.
Abusive, threatening, vulgar, obscene, harassing, degrading, bullying, or racially charged language, actions, or discourtesy of any kind is not allowed and will not be tolerated. Patrons may not create a hostile scene.
Rider is responsible for applicable co-payment or fare and must have exact change.
Rider must not engage the driver in conversation or distract the driver in any way.
Rider must use earphones when using personal listening devices. Volume on the earphones shall be kept at a level that does not disturb other passengers or the driver.
Rider may not ask driver to make special stops during transport.
Rider is responsible for all personal items. SVTA is not responsible for missing or lost items or misplaced property.
Riders must use seat belts if available, and wheelchairs must be properly secured and fastened before the SVTA vehicle can move. It is the rider’s responsibility to buckle up.
Wheelchairs and walking devices must be in good repair.
Riders who need special assistance must have an escort. The escort must be over 18 and must be available at all times during the trip to aid the rider as needed.
Appropriate clothing (including shirt and shoes) is required.
No throwing of items.
No vandalism or graffiti of SVTA vehicles or property.
Congregating or loitering on an SVTA vehicle, transit shelter, or other passenger facility in any way that causes an inconvenience to other passengers is prohibited.
No rider shall interfere with the safe operation of any SVTA vehicle and will at all times respect the instructions of the driver in regard to the vehicle’s operation. Operating or tampering with any equipment is prohibited.
Riders must remain seated or secure themselves by provided handholds until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Conversations between riders or on cell phones shall be kept at a reasonable volume on SVTA vehicles or transit shelters, or other passenger facilities.
Possession of weapons or flammable materials is prohibited on an SVTA vehicle or at an SVTA transit shelter or event location.
Animals are not allowed unless it is a trained service animal for a disabled rider.
Passengers are prohibited from lying down or otherwise occupying more than one seat on board a vehicle, on bus benches, or seats located at any bus stops, facilities, transit areas, buildings, or any other SVTA properties.
Passengers may not bring objects on board a vehicle that blocks an aisle or occupies a seat if doing so causes danger or displaces other passengers.
Passengers are prohibited from extending an object or portions of one’s body through a window of an SVTA vehicle.
Panhandling, sales, or soliciting activities are prohibited on board an SVTA vehicle or at an SVTA shelter or other facility.
Infant strollers and similar articles must be folded prior to boarding an SVTA vehicle.
Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or guardian 18 years of age or older. Exceptions are allowed if pregnant.

PENALTIES

Persons who violate the Code of Conduct are subject to penalties, up to and including suspension of services and restriction of access to services, facilities, or meetings. This includes court actions to enforce such restrictions. A range of penalties may be used to address non-compliance with the Code of Conduct. Non-compliance with the Code of Conduct may include one or any combination of the following:

Verbal warning by transit driver or SVTA supervisor to correct non-compliance.
The offender may be put off the transit vehicle. If a passenger is put off a transit vehicle, the passenger is suspended from riding privileges on any SVTA vehicle and from using any SVTA transit shelter or other passenger facility for the remainder of the day. Anytime a passenger is put off a SVTA vehicle, their fare is forfeited.
The offender may be suspended from all use of the SVTA transit system for a determined period of time. A suspended passenger is suspended from riding privileges on any SVTA vehicle and from using any SVTA transit shelter or other SVTA facility for the duration of the suspension period. If a suspended passenger is seen on another SVTA vehicle or at an SVTA facility during the suspension period, the passenger will be trespassing, and law enforcement will be contacted.
When a passenger returns from a suspension, the returning passenger’s behavior will be closely monitored. If another incident of non-compliance with the Code of Conduct occurs, the passenger may be suspended for an additional period of time and/or have all SVTA transit privileges permanently terminated.
A passenger’s transit privileges may be permanently terminated for repeat offenses or for one major offense, including but not limited to physical threats, violence, or disruptive behavior which presents a threat to the safety and welfare of an SVTA employee, other riders, the public at large, or the SVTA organization.