Service Animals as defined under ADA regulation part 37 are welcome aboard CET vehicles and are the responsibility of the rider. Pets, comfort and therapy animals may travel with riders when in pet carriers.

 

Bend Area Transit
Service Animal Policy

Purpose: Explain the rights and rules for riders who wish to use Bend Area Transit services with the assistance of a service animal and those training service animals.

Reference: ADA Regulations Part 37--Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities Sec. 37.3  Definitions

“Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.”

Animals on BAT: Pets are welcome on all BAT fixed-route buses, paratransit vehicles (Dial-a-Ride) and at transportation facilities when in a carrier designed to transport animals.   Comfort and/or therapy animals are considered pets unless they have been individually trained to perform tasks or work for a disabled person and have been properly trained to behave properly in public.

Service Animals:  Service animals are welcome on all Bend Area Transit buses and vans. The driver may ask to confirm that your animal is a service animal.

Service Animal Owner Responsibilities: The rider is responsible for the care and supervision of their service animal while on board. We require riders to follow these guidelines:

1. Your animal must be on a leash or in a container, remain under your control and behave appropriately.
2. Your animal must remain at your feet out of the way of foot or wheel traffic or on your lap. It may not sit on a vehicle seat.
3. The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals.
4. You are responsible for any damage or soiling caused by the animal.

System Response to Non-Compliance: A Bend Area Transit operator or employee may exclude or remove any service animal if the service animal displays disruptive, vicious or aggressive behavior or constitutes a direct threat to the health or safety of others.  Alternatively, a Bend Area Transit operator may require any disabled patron who does not comply with this policy to disembark the fixed-route bus, paratransit vehicle or leave a transportation facility, and BAT shall transport the patron and their service animal to their destination separately.  Because a service animal is the full responsibility of its owner, repeated behavioral issues on the part of the animal may lead to temporary service exclusions.