Items you may bring on C-VAN

• Animals: Service animals and service animals in training are allowed; other animals must be in secure pet carriers or travel carriers that fit on your lap or under your seat. Animals are not allowed to sit on vehicle seats and must be under the control of the handler at all times. Please let us know when you book your ride if you will be bringing an animal on board. The policy for animals is included with C-VAN policies later in this handbook.
• Groceries: Four regular grocery‑sized bags will be allowed.
• Personal 2- or 4-wheeled collapsible cart. Riders will be responsible for pushing/pulling their carts and are required to include the cart in their reservation information. Operators will only secure the cart.
• Oxygen: Oxygen may be transported on C‑VAN. The operator will secure the tank on the bus, but cannot operate the tank mechanism. It is the rider’s responsibility to supply an ample amount of oxygen for their trip. This includes any time spent waiting for rides, time on-board the vehicle, and time at all destinations.
• Other Items: All other items, including luggage, must be small enough to fit in your lap or under your seat. Items must be clear of the aisles, seats and wheelchair securement areas on the bus. All items must remain in the rider’s possession and should be carried by you, your personal care attendant or companion. These items are not C‑VAN’s responsibility.

Examples of items we do not transport:

• Any item weighing more than 40 pounds if Operator assistance is needed carrying the item.
• Flammables
• Uncovered glass or sharp objects
• Personal items that have the potential to leak or risk spillage, like large bags of bottles and cans

Operator responsibilities

Please remember that our operators are transit operators, not personal care attendants (PCAs). If you need more assistance than our operators are trained to provide, you may bring a PCA with you at no charge to assist with your needs. A PCA can accompany an eligible C‑VAN rider at no additional charge. You must reserve space for the PCA when scheduling your trip Operators may assist with the following:

• Providing door-to-door service: Operators may not enter facilities beyond a building’s lobby, and the distance from the vehicle to the origin/destination cannot exceed 75 feet. Operators may open the outside door if asked; however, they cannot enter a residence. See page 22 for more information on door-to-door service.
• Operators must maintain sight of their vehicle.
• Helping riders get in and out of the vehicle: If you are unable to use the bus steps, you may stand on the power lift platform to enter and exit the vehicle.
• Collecting the correct fare: Riders must use exact change when paying cash.
• Fastening seat belts: All C‑VAN vehicles have seat belts installed, and it is C‑VAN’s policy for all riders to wear seat belts while riding in a C‑VAN vehicle. Riders who refuse to wear a seat belt on board C‑VAN will not be transported.
• Helping riders carry bags and other items: Operators may help riders carry bags or other items with a total weight of no more than 40 pounds to their doorstep if they can safely do so in one trip. Riders may find it helpful to bring a small cart that can hold groceries or other items on board the vehicle. Bags and other items must be contained within the cart and not hang off the outer edges. If you are bringing a small wheeled cart, please let the reservationist know when you reserve your trip.
• Safely operating the vehicle: Navigating the route according to the manifest provided and picking up/dropping off riders at the address provided in the reservation.

Boarding with a mobility device.

• All operators are trained to safely operate the vehicle lift mechanism and will secure you after boarding.
• The operator will make all attempts to secure wheelchairs, scooters or mobility chairs using a four‑point securement system, and an over-center floor‑mounted seat belt. Scooter‑type mobility devices (three or four‑wheeled scooters) are top‑heavy, with a high center of gravity, and may become unstable during transport, as they are not designed to carry an occupant while being transported on-board a vehicle. For your safety, it is recommended that passengers using three or four‑wheeled scooters transfer to a fixed seat when possible.
• For your safety, it is recommended that mobility devices are reverse-boarded, meaning the mobility device will be loaded onto the lift with the passenger facing away from the vehicle
• Boarding while seated on a mobility device other than a wheelchair, as defined by the ADA, such as a walker with a seat, is not allowed.

By request, C-VAN operators will assist riders with manual mobility devices by:

• Moving you and your manual wheelchair up or down an ADA‑compliant ramp when it is possible to do so safely. Operators may not assist riders whose combined weight with a device exceeds 368 pounds, or when the distance to the origin/destination exceeds 75 feet.
• Guiding you to/from the vehicle and on/off the lift platform of the vehicle.
• Operators must remain respectful and courteous to all riders, their companions or caregivers and service animals.

All operators for C-VAN are not allowed to:

• Accept tips
• Enter a residence or enter beyond the lobby of a facility.
• Operate your powered mobility device (like an electric wheelchair or scooter) or push the device when it is not operational.
• Assist in pushing a manual wheelchair if the weight of the device, when occupied, exceeds 368 pounds.
• Lift, support or otherwise physically manipulate a rider’s body.
• Secure child safety systems in the vehicle or secure children into such systems.
• Carry or handle pets or service animals, whether in a carrier or on a leash.
• Carry your personal items such as backpacks, purses, briefcases, etc.
• Perform any additional duties that a personal care attendant would be expected to provide.

Operators are trained not to perform these activities. Please do not make these requests of your operator.