Rider Code of Conduct

In order to provide a high-quality public transit service, Sonoma County Transit expects safe, courteous, and respectful behavior from our staff and passengers. This Rider Code of Conduct has been established to promote the safety, security, comfort, and convenience of all those who use Sonoma County Transit, and to ensure that no one person may adversely affect others using or operating the Sonoma County Transit system. Members of the public are expected to follow this Code of Conduct on all Sonoma County Transit vehicles and at transit stops and facilities.

Prohibited Conduct

The following acts are prohibited on Sonoma County Transit vehicles, transit stops, and facilities:

Littering or dumping.

Smoking or vaping tobacco, cannabis, or any other material via any means, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.

Possessing or consuming illegal drugs or alcohol, or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances to a degree that poses a safety risk to oneself or others.

Eating or drinking, except for water.

Listening to music or other media without headphones or earbuds, or using speakerphone during phone conversations, at a volume audible to others.

Carrying or possessing a weapon or any object that can reasonably be considered a threat to safety.

Carrying any explosive, acid, flammable liquid, or toxic or hazardous material. Oxygen for personal medical use is permitted.

Throwing any object while on a transit vehicle, from a transit vehicle, or anywhere at a transit stop or transit facility.

Creating or maintaining an unsanitary condition, including through bodily fluids, waste, or other substances, or boarding a vehicle when one’s clothing, body, or belongings are contaminated in a manner that poses a health or safety risk or unreasonably interferes with the use of transit by others.

Interfering with the provision or use of transit services, including blocking the progress of a vehicle, disturbing the operator, failing to properly board or alight, or preventing others from safely accessing transit stops or facilities.

Damaging, defacing, vandalizing, or tampering with any transit vehicle, property, or the belongings of other passengers.

Engaging in threatening, harassing, intimidating, or abusive conduct toward transit personnel or other passengers, including language that is reasonably likely to provoke violence or interfere with safe transit operations.

Threatening, harming, harassing, or assaulting transit personnel or passengers.

Making inappropriate physical contact of any kind with transit personnel or passengers.

Remaining on transit property after being directed to leave by authorized personnel, or occupying transit facilities for purposes unrelated to transit in a manner that interferes with transit operations or other passengers.

Soliciting money or other items of value in an aggressive manner, or distributing materials in a way that impedes transit operations or the movement of passengers.

Abandoning personal items on transit vehicles or at transit facilities.

Engaging in criminal conduct on Sonoma County Transit property.

Rules for Riding

In addition to the above, all passengers are expected to abide by the following rules to ensure the safety and comfort of all using Sonoma County Transit:

Wear appropriate clothing at all times, including shoes and a shirt or other upper body covering.

Keep aisles, doorways, and boarding/alighting areas free and clear of obstruction.

Do not lean on, block, or hold open doorways.

Do not stand on or forward of the yellow line while the vehicle is in motion.

Yield priority seating at the front of the vehicle to older adults and people with disabilities.

Each passenger may occupy only one seat. Personal belongings may not occupy a seat needed by another passenger. Feet are not permitted on seats.

Personal belongings must not block seats, aisles, doorways, or exits. Foldable grocery/utility carts are permitted provided they do not block access to seats, aisles, doorways, exits, or otherwise present a hazard to other passengers or the safe operation of the vehicle. Grocery/utility carts blocking the aisle must be folded and/or stowed clear of the aisle.

Mobility devices, including but not limited to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers/rollators, canes, and crutches, must not block seats, aisles, doorways, or exits. Mobility devices blocking the aisle must be folded and/or stowed clear of the aisle.

Maintain control of children at all times while in or near transit vehicles or facilities.

Children may not ride in strollers while on board. Strollers must not block seats, aisles, doorways, or exits. Children must be removed from strollers when boarding or alighting the vehicle.

Pay all required fares.

Animals

Pet Policy: Pets are allowed on Sonoma County Transit buses provided they are secured in a carrier that is designed for the purpose of transporting the animal. The carrier may not occupy or otherwise block another passenger’s access to a seat and must be clear of the aisle, doorways, and exits.

Service Animal Policy: Service animals are allowed on Sonoma County Transit. The service animal must remain under the control of its owner at all times, may not occupy, or otherwise block another passenger’s access to a seat, or block the aisle, doorways, or exits. Service animals must remain under the control of their handler and must not interfere with the safe or orderly use of the transit system by other passengers. A service animal that is out of control and whose handler does not take effective action to control it, or that is not housebroken, may be removed from the vehicle.

Enforcement

Sonoma County Transit may take appropriate action to enforce this Rider Code of Conduct, including:

refusing service;

directing a person to leave a vehicle or transit facility;

requesting assistance from law enforcement; and

suspending a person’s privilege to use Sonoma County Transit vehicles or facilities.

Suspensions may be imposed for conduct that threatens the safety or security of passengers, employees, or transit operations, or for repeated violations of this Code. Suspension lengths will be determined based on the nature, severity, and frequency of the violations. Riders will receive written notice of any suspension and information regarding the appeal process. A rider who is suspended may appeal the suspension in accordance with Sonoma County Transit procedures. Most violations will be addressed through rider education or a warning. Serious misconduct, or repeated violations after warning, may result in suspension.