Chapel Hill Transit is operated by the Town of Chapel Hill.  Chapel Hill Transit is a fixed route transit system; we are permitted by Federal Law to pick up and disembark customers at designated bus stops. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all of the Chapel Hill Transit vehicles are handicapped accessible and can provide ADA transportation service along our fixed route public transportation system network. It is Chapel Hill Transit’s practice to deploy the lift/ramp of the transit vehicle at any bus stop requested by the customer. It is Chapel Hill Transit’s practice to transport all mobility devices regardless of size or weight as long as the lift or ramp of the transit vehicle can safely accommodate them.

Fixed Route systems have up to 30 minutes in which to provide ADA service along its fixed route in the event a bus is full or equipment malfunctions.  Mobility devices aboard our transit vehicles are required to be secured, regardless of whether the customer remains seated in the device or not. Transit operators will provide the time required by the patron to board or disembark the bus. Our objective is to allow the necessary time required for the customer to safely embark or disembark the vehicle, irrespective of the amount of time involved.

Priority Seating

Priority Seating notices are on each vehicle. It is our objective to keep priority seating open whenever possible. If a customer with a disability boards and the priority seating is full, Chapel Hill Transit’s practice is to have the Transit Operator make a request for the person(s) to move to other seats when the disability securement area needs to be utilized or an eligible person requires use of the priority seating.

Service Animals

Service animals are defined as dogs or other animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. ADA Service Animals are permitted aboard Chapel Hill Transit vehicles. The animal must provide a service to the individual and it must be something the individual is unable to do by themselves, in order to meet the criteria to be eligible as a Service Animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals must be restrained with a leash or harness and sit on the floor by the owner's feet. Any customer traveling with an animal may be expelled if the animal's behavior compromises the safe operation of the Transit vehicle or otherwise poses a threat to the health, safety, and/or welfare of the public.

Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not recognize "comfort" or "emotional support" animals as service animals. Non-service animals on Chapel Hill Transit are considered pets. 

Pets 

Pets are allowed on Chapel Hill Transit vehicles as long as they are in a small, hand-held cage/container. The cage/container must fit on the customer’s lap and must be fully enclosed with no part of the animal exposed. It may also be placed on the floor but must not block the path of any customers and must not block any doors. Cages should be clean, free of odor and have no sharp edges. Only one cage/container is allowed per customer. If a customer is traveling on a Demand Response vehicle with a pet, please notify reservations when booking the trip. An operator may not allow a customer to board with a pet if there is a concern for the safety or comfort of other customers.

Stop Announcements

Chapel Hill Transit utilizes an Automatic Voice Annunciation System that utilizes schedule and GPS information to provide automatic announcements of the bus stop names and the bus route the bus is serving along the fixed route. Each bus also has an electronic head sign to indicate the bus route and direction of travel. In the event of an equipment malfunction or absence of technology, Chapel Hill Transit’s practice is to have the Transit Operator to make verbal announcements via the PA system to meet the requirements of this service provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Transportation of Medical Devices

Individuals with respirators, portable oxygen or other life support equipment are permitted to use the fixed route service with their medical equipment.

Complementary Accessibility Services (Para Transit)

If you are eligible for ADA Accessibility Services, you may contact our internal service provider for complementary accessibility service, EZ Rider, at (919) 969-5544. EZ Rider provides origin to destination door-to-door accessibility transportation service free of charge. EZ Rider provides accessible transportation within 3/4 of a mile from the nearest Chapel Hill Transit Fixed Route bus stop. 

If you are a visitor to our community and have your identification card from your local home accessibility provider or proof of address and documentation of a transportation disability (if not readily apparent), you may receive services through our provider. EZ Rider requires a reservation to be made at least the day prior to when you would like your accessibility trips. Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  Reservationists are also available on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

If you are a Chapel Hill/Carrboro resident, you may contact EZ Rider for an application for services. Once your physician signs the application and you complete the enrollment process, you would then be eligible to receive services through EZ Rider. Reservations are available on a first come, first serve basis.  You must meet specific criteria, as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in which to qualify for eligibility of services.  See the EZ Rider information on our website for more information on the enrollment process.

Reasonable Modifications

Chapel Hill Transit is committed to upholding and ensuring that its policies and practices follow the rules concerning reasonable modification/accommodation outlined under the ADA and all related statutes.  As a public transit agency, Chapel Hill Transit provides public information/communication in written formats, utilizing direct printed handouts, and also through various forms of social media. Braille and other accessible formats are made available on request. Direct service assistance, such as reading the materials aloud, is also available on request.  If you require a modification to be able to access or use our public transportation services, or file a complaint, please let us know.  Every effort will be made to accommodate all reasonable modifications.

Non-Discrimination

Chapel Hill Transit has adopted a non-discrimination policy that states:  No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any programs, activities, or services for which Chapel Hill Transit receives Federal financial assistance.  Chapel Hill Transit is a customer focused service agency.

Complaints 
Any person who feels they have not been treated fairly and appropriately under the American with Disabilities Act may file a written complaint with this agency.  All complaints shall be fully investigated pursuant to the Chapel Hill Transit complaint procedures policy. All complaints are addressed in a timely manner. You may review our complaint process procedure here for English(español).

Any such complaint must be made in writing or in person with Chapel Hill Transit Disability Rights Coordinator, within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the alleged discrimination occurrence. ADA Complaint forms may be obtained from the Chapel Hill Transit administrative offices at no cost by calling 919-969-4900, or by clicking here for English (español) or emailing chtransit@townofchapehill.org. Anyone who requires assistance to complete the complaint form should contact the Disability Rights Coordinator at 919-969-4900.

Limited English Proficiency

Information in non-English alternative formats may be obtained through the person listed above. 

La información en formatos alternativos distintos al inglés se puede obtener a través de la persona mencionada anteriormente.