The horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operations. Exotic animals are not considered service animals under the ADA. Comfort or therapy animals, which are used solely to provide emotional support, are also not considered service animals under the ADA. Please note that pets or emotional support animals are not permitted on Metrobus and Metrorail. In circumstances where it may not be obvious that a particular animal is a trained service animal, a WMATA employee may ask the individual with the animal if it is a service animal required for a disability and how the animal assists the customer. WMATA will not request written assurances before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with the disability. Service animals are not allowed to ride on seats in Metrobus or Metrorail vehicles. Animals in training to be service animals may be permitted for training purposes provided that: The animal is nearing the completion of the life experience phase of training; The animal is being trained by a recognized service animal training organization; The training occurs during fare periods or on weekends; The animal is wearing identification to indicate that it is a service animal in training; and The training organization has received approval from WMATA’s Office of ADA Policy and Planning to conduct training at specified times and locations. Your service animal must be under your control at all times and cannot ride on a Metrobus or Metrorail seat. Your service animal can ride in an approved animal carrier or can ride on the floor at your feet. If your service animal displays any aggressive or seriously disruptive behavior, Metro can require that the animal be removed from the vehicle or facility. Metro can exclude your service animal (but not you) from vehicles or facilities if your service animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Priority Seating Areas Under the ADA, the availability of priority seating for people with disabilities is required in all transit vehicles. Priority seating areas are designated with signs. You cannot be required to use these priority seating areas if you prefer to sit elsewhere. Metrobus priority seating areas are located in the front of the vehicle. If priority seating areas are occupied by people who do not appear to have a disability, and you need priority seating, peak
the stop unsafe. Examples of these temporary conditions might include construction or an accident. In addition to having a ramp or lift on all Metrobuses, all buses kneel or lower to make it easier for you to step on and off the bus. Wheelchair Securement on Metrobus All Metrobuses have securement systems to limit the movement of wheelchairs for safety purposes. Each bus has two wheelchair securement locations, located within the priority seating area. The wheelchair securement system on most Metrobuses includes four separate straps that are attached to the frame of the wheelchair and to the floor of the vehicle. Metro requires the Metrobus operator to ask you if you want to be secured but allows you to decide. If you request help with securement, the Metrobus operator must provide assistance to you. Metrobus operators will do best to secure your wheelchair. Metro cannot deny transportation to you if your wheelchair or mobility device cannot be secured by a vehicle’s securement system. A seat belt and shoulder harness is available in each wheelchair securement location. These are mounted to the inside of the bus and serve the same function as seat belts in a car. While many wheelchairs are equipped with “seat belts,” intended to keep you from falling out of your wheelchair, chair-mounted restraints will not provide any safety function on the bus. You may request help with a seat belt and shoulder harness on the bus, but you are not required to use these restraints. The seat belt and shoulder harness must never be used unless the wheelchair is also secured. If you use a wheelchair, you have the option of staying in your wheelchair or transferring into a standard seat on the bus. If you choose to transfer, your mobility device must be stored in the securement location. If securement locations are already occupied by other passengers with mobility devices and you use a wheelchair, it may be necessary to wait for the next bus. Metrobus Stop Announcements All Metrobuses have an automated audio stop announcement system, which also includes a visual display. Metrobus operators announce all transfer points, major intersections, and destination points to help orient individuals with disabilities to their location. In addition, Metrobus operators are required to announce any stop upon your request. Metrobus Stops There are over 11,000 bus stops in the Washington metropolitan region served by Metrobus. Most bus stops in the Metro service area are NOT owned or maintained by Metro, except for those
Each Metrorail car has a sign which outlines instructions for emergency evacuations. In the event of an emergency, information is immediately placed on the Passenger Information Display System (PIDS), and Metro staff collaborates with the Council of Governments - Fire Chiefs Subcommittee and Community Emergency Response teams in the region. Evacuations with an assessment of customers’ severity of injury. Those with the most severe injuries are evacuated first, followed by women and children, then those who need mobility assistance, and finally individuals who do not need assistance. Customers with disabilities who use mobility devices may initially be evacuated without the device and then later reunited with the device. SmarTrip® Dispenser Machines SmarTrip® Card dispensers are located at each Metro station. They are conveniently located near the fare vending machines. They are fully equipped with Braille signage and audio instructions. Customers can purchase a SmarTrip® card for $10. The card $2 and is loaded with $8 in fare value. The machines take cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Fare vending machines are organized from top to bottom in this order: TOP TIER - The screen is on top. Touch it and it will activate audio instructions which describe everything the screen displays. MIDDLE TIER - (Below the screen). The SmarTrip® Card dispenser is on the left, and the credit/debit card payment insert is on the right. BOTTOM TIER - The audio volume control, the headphone jack, and the PIN pad are located on the angled section. The cash insert tray is located on the flat area below, on the left side of the machine. A receipt dispenser is located lower on the right side of the machine. To use Audio the screen. (To use headphones in lieu of speakers, touch the screen and insert headphones to the audio jack next to the pin pad). Use the toggle button to adjust volume. To pay with cash Insert bills into the cash insert tray. When the machine has received $10 it will automatically issue the SmarTrip® card and provide you with a receipt. The machines only accept $1, $5, and $10 bills. To pay with credit card Insert your credit card into the card reader. Enter your zip code on the pin pad. The machine will automatically issue the SmarTrip® card and provide you with a receipt. To pay with debit card
Insert debit card into reader. Enter PIN number on pin pad. The machine will automatically issue the SmarTrip card and provide you with a receipt. To add fare to your SmarTrip® Card You may use any fare vending machine in our system to add fare to your SmarTrip® Card. To register your SmarTrip® Card To register your card online please visit the Metro webpage at . Once you are on the webpage click on “Fares”, then click on “SmarTrip®”, and then click on Create an Account. For Customer Service call 1-888 SMARTRIP or 1-888-762-7874
Metrobus and Metrorail operators and Metrorail station managers. Follow the of behavior that all passengers must follow. Ask the Metrorail station manager, Metrobus driver or Metrorail operator any questions you may have or to request any assistance that may be required. Pay your fare to use Metrobus and Metrorail. Use caution when the Metrorail or Metrobus vehicle is in motion.