ADA “NO-SHOW” POLICY
MART has established the following “No-Show” policy for paratransit riders. Passengers who establish a pattern or practice of excessive “No Shows” shall be subject to suspension of service. This policy is necessary in order to recognize the negative impact “No Shows” have on other passengers and service provided.
A passenger is considered a “No Show” if the passenger fails to board at the scheduled pick up locations when the driver has waited 5 minutes during the 20 minutes pick up window. MART has a 20 minute pick up window that means your ride can arrive anytime from your scheduled pick up time until 20 minutes after your scheduled pick up time.
Example your scheduled pick up time is 9:00am the van can arrive anytime between 9:00am-9:20am.
Riders must be ready during the entire twenty (20) minute pick-up window and a driver will only wait 5 minutes before leaving for the next pick-up.
Example if a driver arrives at 9:20 the driver will wait until 9:25 before leaving.
If your van arrives before your scheduled pick up time the rider does not have to board the van until the schedule pick up time but the driver will only wait until 5 minutes after the scheduled time.
Example- if your scheduled pick up time is 9:00am and the van arrives at 8:50am you do not have to board the van until your scheduled time but the driver will only wait until 9:05 before leaving for the next pick up.
An individual is considered a “No-Show” if he/she is not available for pick-up as described above.
Each leg of a rider’s trip will be treated separately. If a rider misses a scheduled pick up, MART will not cancel that rider’s return trip. If the client does not appear for that return trip, that incident will be counted as a second no show. A rider will be counted as a no show for each leg of any trip for which they fail to cancel and do not appear.
Riders will not be penalized for no shows or late cancellations due to circumstances beyond their control.
Example: but not limited to, power outage, family emergency, illness or due to carrier error.
Excessive violations may or may not exceed 15% of the total trips taken in a three (3) month rolling period. Passengers with excessive no shows will be subject to sanctions as described below.
Please note frequency of use will be considered when determining a pattern or practice of no shows.
First No Show——— Written Warning
Second No Show——— Written Warning
Subsequent No Shows———Phone Call/Written Warning
*** If number of violations is above 15% of the average number of monthly trips, for a three (3) month rolling period and establishes a clear pattern or practice of no shows, a three day suspension will be issued. A pattern or practice involves intentional, repeated or regular no shows.
Example: Rider takes an average of 25 trips per a month multiply it by 15% to find the number of written warnings that can be received before a client receives a suspension notice. 25*15%=3.75, rider will receive 4 warnings before being issued a suspension. Example of establishing a clear pattern of no shows but not limited to, rider is a no show every Monday for rider or rider is no show every day after a Holiday.
After a three day suspension the process of written warnings will begin again. At that point violations that go beyond 15% of the average number of monthly trips will result in a seven day suspension. The process will repeat itself for ten and fifteen day successive suspension periods.
FIRST and SECOND OFFENSE – You will be notified in writing of the violation. The written notification will appraise you of your ability to invoke the appeal procedure established by MART. An appeal form will be attached to each warning letter. (Refer to appeal process on next page.)
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE – MART will call you and you will be notified in writing of the pending suspension. The suspension will be effective 30 calendar days from the date of the letter. A passenger will be able to use the service during these 30 calendar days before the suspension begins. The written notification will include the offense, the date of the offense, the effective date of the suspension, the length of the suspension, and the appeal process to be followed. An appeal form will be attached to each warning letter. (Refer to appeal process on next page)
ALL VIOLATIONS REMAIN ON RECORD FOR THREE MONTHS
APPEALS – Any warning or suspension may be appealed through the administrative procedure established by MART and which is a part of this program description. In the case of a suspension, individuals may use the MART service once their appeal is received in the MART office and they may continue using the service until the appeal process is complete. Appeals should be addressed to the Administrator, MART, 1427R Water St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.
REVISED OCTOBER 2016