Rider Code of Conduct

Common-Sense Guidelines

SVT’s Code of Conduct can be summarized by the following common- sense guidelines:

Civil Penalties

The following infractions may result in a citation and a fine of up to $250:

1. Bringing onto public transportation any package or other object which blocks an aisle, stairway, or occupies a seat – AND – if to do so would cause a danger to or displace riders.
2. Allowing any animal to occupy a seat, to run at large without a leash, to unreasonably disturb others, or obstruct the flow of passenger or bus traffic. An animal may occupy a rider’s lap.
3. Allowing an animal to leave waste on the bus.
4. Eating or drinking, except for drinking a non-alcoholic beverage from a container designed to prevent spillage.
5. Using public transportation for the purpose of sleeping rather than for the intended transportation-related purposes.
6. Extending an object or a portion of one’s body through the door or window of a public transportation vehicle while it is in motion.
7. Hanging or swinging on bars or stanchions inside a vehicle.
8. Hanging onto or otherwise attaching oneself at any time to the exterior of a vehicle.

Criminal Penalties

The following misdemeanors may result in a citation, a fine of up to $1,000, and/or arrest and detention in a city/county jail for not more than ninety (90) days:

1. Intentionally obstructing or impeding the flow of vehicle or passenger movement, causing unreasonable delays in either boarding or deboarding, reclining or occupying more than one seat, or in any way interfering with the provision or use of transportation services.
2. Possession of a lit or smoldering pipe, cigar, or cigarette while in a public transportation vehicle.
3. Discarding of litter other than in designated receptacles.
4. Playing any sound producing device except when the equipment is connected to earphones/headphones that limit the sound to the individual listener. However, the use of communication devices by driver or public safety officers in the line of duty is permitted, as is the use of private communication devices used to summon, notify, or communicate with other individuals.
5. Spitting, expectorating, urinating, or defecating except in restroom facilities.
6. Unreasonably disturbing others by engaging in loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, abusive, or harassing behavior.
7. Defacing, destroying, or otherwise vandalizing a public transportation vehicle or any signs, notices, or advertisements on the vehicle.
8. Consuming alcoholic beverages or possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage.
9. Dumping any materials whatsoever on transportation property, including but not limited to chemicals and automotive fluids.
10. Throwing an object at a public transportation vehicle or at any person on the vehicle or transportation property.
11. Failure to pay the appropriate fare.
12. Falsely representing oneself as eligible for special services.
13. Falsely claiming to be a driver or other transportation employee; or through words, actions and/or the use of clothes, insignia or equipment resembling issued uniforms and equipment, creating a false impression that he or she is a driver or other transportation employee.
14. Possessing on a public transportation vehicle any odors or aromas which unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transportation system, whether such odors arise from one’s person, clothes and articles, accompanying animal, or any other source.
15. Engaging in gambling or any game of chance for money or anything of value.