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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The ADA Coordinator for the City of Tampa asked me to write a commentary about announcements on fixed route systems as an instructional piece for other public transit patrons. Following is this commentary to help everyone understand these regulations and how they should be implemented. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. My contact information is below the piece that follows.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As an individual who is blind and a frequent traveler on public transit, as well as a leader in the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of any disabled consumer group in the United States, I have been asked to provide a commentary on the Federal Transit Administration’s implementing regulations concerning announcements on fixed route systems and the practical application of these regulations by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). This information is provided as informal guidance only and should not be construed as legal advice. Though this information applies to all entities providing fixed route services, it is my intention to outline the policies and practices instituted by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) as it pertains to the protocol they expect their operators to employ to comply with this regulation. These same protocol can be used as a model to comply with the implementing regulations concerning announcements on fixed route systems.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to Public (governmental) entities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The implementing regulations of the ADA, also called the code of federal regulations (CFR) outline the practical way the ADA is to be applied. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="OLE_LINK2">Title II of the ADA defines “fixed route system” as “a system of providing designated public transportation on which a vehicle is operated along a prescribed route according to a fixed schedule” (42 USC 12141(3)). </a>According to this definition, HART’s regular bus routes, limited express, express, and flex routes would all be considered fixed route systems. Some may question if flex routes are a fixed route; however, the flex routes do travel along a prescribed route with a fixed schedule in spite of the ability to deviate from the prescribed rout. HART does consider the Flex routes fixed route service. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>As it relates to announcements, the implementing regulations found at <a name="OLE_LINK5"></a><a name="OLE_LINK6">49 CFR 37.167, entitled “Other service requirements”, states, <o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=psection-1 style='text-indent:.5in'><a name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a name="OLE_LINK4"><span class=enumxml1><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>(a)</span></span></a><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> This section applies to public and private entities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=psection-1 style='text-indent:.5in'><span class=enumxml1><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>(b)</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> On fixed route systems, the entity shall announce stops as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=psection-2 style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in'><span class=enumxml2><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>(1)</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> The entity shall announce at least at transfer points with other fixed routes, other major intersections and destination points, and intervals along a route sufficient to permit individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=psection-2 style='margin-left:48.0pt;text-indent:24.0pt'><span class=enumxml2><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>(2)</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> The entity shall announce any stop on request of an Individual with a disability.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=psection-1 style='margin-left:1.0in'><span class=enumxml1><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>(c)</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> Where vehicles or other conveyances for more than one route serve the same stop, the entity shall <a name="OLE_LINK110">provide a means by which an individual with a visual impairment or other disability can identify the proper vehicle to enter or be identified to the vehicle operator as a person seeking a ride on a particular route. <o:p></o:p></a></span></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A number of specific terms are used in this regulation. The first is the phrase “at least”. This sets a minimum standard of connecting routes, major intersections, and points of interest. This regulation also has a stated purpose which is “<span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>to permit individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location.” Furthermore, it affords flexibility by providing the mandate that “The entity shall announce any stop on request of an Individual with a disability.”</span> The semantics of this regulation are very specific, utilizing the term “shall”, stating that these are not options but requirements. These regulations govern the provision of what is commonly referred to as “inside announcements”, since they are provided to passengers who have already boarded the vehicle and are seated inside the vehicle, and “outside announcements”, as they provide information to patrons who are waiting at a stop but have not yet boarded.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Even though the inside announcements are required so that individuals who are blind or have low vision are oriented to their environment, they also afford distinct advantages to those of the general public who do not have a disability. Many transit passengers spend their commute time reading, making telephone calls, or other tasks which might distract them from an awareness of their location. Verbal announcements give these passengers, along with those who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities the regulations are meant to assist, audible cues alerting them to their approaching destination. Since tourism is a major industry for our area, the regulation’s requirement to announce major destination points also provides information to visitors about some of the points of interest on the route, such as museums, stadiums, convention centers, libraries, amusement parks, shopping centers, and colleges and universities, to name a few, that support the economic health of our community. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In order to better understand the minimum requirements of this regulation, let me share with you its practical application as it pertains to a route I use frequently. The route 8 travels between the Marion Transit Center (MTC) and the Westfield Brandon Mall with a total run time of more than one hour in each direction. As it travels through downtown along the Marion Transitway, it announces each of the stations along the way. Along the Channelside District, it announces the Tampa Visitors’ Center, Amalie Arena, and the cruise ship terminal. When it enters Ybor City, it announces the route 12, the Streetcar Barn, and Historic Ybor City. From this point, the route does not intersect with another connecting route for quite some time; however, along the route, it makes several announcements in order to comply with the requirement to announce “<span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>other major intersections and destination points, and intervals along a route sufficient to permit individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The other requirement of this regulation is what is often referred to as “outside announcements” and are required where two or more routes utilize the same stop, such as at malls, transfer centers, or along roadways serviced by more than one route. This regulation allows an individual who is blind, visually impaired, or has another disability to “<span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'>identify the proper vehicle to enter”.” These outside announcements provide audible information about the route number and direction of travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=psection-1 style='margin-left:1.0in'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> Continuing my example of the route 8 which services the Westfield Brandon Mall, several other routes also depart from that point, all utilizing the same bus stop. The regulation requires fixed route operators to “provide a means by which an individual with a visual impairment or other disability can identify the proper vehicle to enter”. HART does this by means of an automated system in which the route number and direction of travel is verbally announced when the bus doors open. Since a person who is blind or visually impaired may not be aware that a vehicle has stopped behind another idling vehicle, HART’s protocol is that, where two or more routes serve the same stop, such as the Westfield Brandon Mall, along the Marion Transitway, or Britton Plaza Transfer Center, to name a few, operators are required to pull up to the actual bus stop sign and make or activate the outside announcement before proceeding. Operators are not permitted to depart from behind another vehicle but must wait for that vehicle to depart in order to proceed to the stop, as described above.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> Like many transit systems, HART utilizes what is known as an enunciator – an automated system that uses global positioning systems to identify the vehicle’s location and trigger the proper announcements. Though such enunciators are very helpful tools, like all technology, they can malfunction. When they do malfunction, the vehicle operator is ultimately responsible for making the proper inside and outside announcements as prescribed by the regulations. Additionally, complying with the letter of the regulation does not always ensure complying with the spirit of the regulations. In order to be effective and useful, announcements should be made frequently enough to provide the orientation cited, with enough notice to afford the opportunity to request the stop announced, and in a manner in which they can be heard and understood. They must also be made reliably enough to allow individuals confidence that they are and will be made.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> I want to reiterate that the use of the automated enunciator system does not absolve the operator of the vehicle from the requirement to make these announcements. In my experience, when operators are aware their enunciator systems are not working properly, they often ask a person who is obviously blind which stop is needed. My usual response is to remind them that, if the proper announcements are made as required by the regulations, I should have no problem identifying my stop. Keep in mind that not every blind person may be easily identifiable and the driver may not always remember which stop a person might ask for when boarding; therefore, when the enunciator system malfunctions, operators are ultimately responsible for making the same announcements. Though providing an operator with your stop may assist you individually, it does not assist the person the driver may be unaware also needs the announcements. The only way these announcements are effective is when they are reliably consistent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> HART promises they are working to ensure delivery of announcements that effectively comply with every element of these regulations. We are told by operators that management is consistently stressing the requirement of announcements and disciplining those who do not comply with the implementing regulations and HART’s procedures. In order for compliance to increase, HART needs patrons to report those who fail to comply with the regulations and HART policies. We realize that those of us who rely upon public transit and, as such, develop a relationship with the operators of those routes we frequently travel, might be hesitant to report an operator who is not following HART’s prescribed protocol. When we encounter an operator who is not making these announcements, a friendly reminder of their requirement may be all that is necessary when the policy is not adhered to. It is also worthwhile to know that operators reported for not making their announcements are generally counseled on their responsibility but such counseling does not result in the assessment of an infraction and the accompanying penalties. Such penalties can only be imposed when an infraction is observed by a supervisor or an official monitor. To report noncompliance with the requirement to make these announcements, you can call Hillsborough Area Regional Transit customer service line at (813) 254-HART (4278) or submit a report online at <a href="https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/YfZk11CyDrGuxcaaZ2bbQjq9/report/category">https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/YfZk11CyDrGuxcaaZ2bbQjq9/report/category</a>. Working together, we can improve transportation options in Hillsborough County.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> For more information about these regulations, other transportation matters affecting the blind, or any issue of concern to the blind, please feel free to get in touch with me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> (813) 626-2789<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'> Marion.Gwizdala@verizon.net<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#333333'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>