Manatee County Government
Rider Responsibilities
Information regarding behavior policies, prohibitions and disability accommodations.
Table of Contents
MCAT Passenger Behavior Policy
To provide a quiet, comfortable transportation service, all passengers are expected to comply with certain rules. Failure to follow these rules may result in the police being called, the passenger being asked to leave the bus or bus stop area, and/or the passenger receiving a trespass order from the bus or bus stop area. Refusing to leave the bus or bus stop area when asked makes the person subject to arrest for trespass pursuant to Florida Statute § 810.08.
Shirts and shoes are required.
Service animals assisting special needs passengers are allowed on MCAT buses. Pets small enough to be carried and secured in either a cage/carrier designed for transporting animals or in a closed container are also welcome on MCAT buses. Animals must remain in their closed, secure cage/carrier/container while on-board the bus.
Please, do not distract the driver.
Prohibited on all MCAT buses:
1. No open food or drink containers
2. No smoking
3. No weapons
4. No profanity or loud talking
5. No flammable or explosive material
6. No playing personal electronics without personal headphones
7. No alcoholic beverages
8. No children in strollers
Passengers will be warned, directed to, and/or be required to leave a bus/bus stop area if they:
1. Use abusive, profane or obscene language
2. Display lewd or indecent behavior
3. Are under, or appear to be under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics
4. Eat or drink or smoke on the bus
5. Solicit or attempt to buy/sell anything other than MCAT services
6. Distribute leaflets or post unauthorized notices
7. Talk above reasonable conversational tones
8. Lay on bus seats or put feet up on bus seats
9. Physically/verbally harass passenger/MCAT employees
10. Are not properly attired (shirt & shoes required) or emit offensive body or clothing odors
11. Bring animals other than service animals or pets small enough to be carried and secured in either a cage/carrier designed for transporting animals or in a closed container and/or do not keep the animal in their closed, secure cage/carrier/container while on-board bus.
Behavior requiring police action:
1. Engaging in suspected illegal activities
2. Willfully destroying/damaging MCAT or other property
3. Engaging in fighting or threatening violence in buses/bus stops areas
Appeal Procedures
Any individual receiving a trespass order or directed to leave an MCAT bus or a bus stop area may, withing three (3) business days following the trespass order or direction to leave, file a written appeal with the Transit Division Manager. The appeal must state why the trespass order or direction to leave was not in accordance with this policy. Once an appeal is received, a hearing will be scheduled within two business days and conducted within a reasonable timeframe. At the hearing, the individual may present his/her testimony and evidence supporting the appeal and the Transit Division may also provide testimony and evidence regarding the appeal.
After the hearing, the Transit Division Manager or his/her designee will provide a written response to the individual, granting or denying the appeal with explanation. The individual may dispute the determination of the Transit Division Manager or his designee by requesting a meeting with the Manatee County Community Services Department Director. The Director shall make a final determination which shall be communicated to the Transit Division and the individual making the appeal.
Accommodation Requests Regarding Disabilities
An individual MCAT customer seeking a reasonable accommodation of a disability may direct such requests to the Transit Division Manager or his designee.
