TIRED OF HIGH GAS PRICES, TIRED OF UNDEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION, TIRED OF FIGHTING TRAFFIC, OR JUST DON’T LIKE DRIVING, THEN WELCOME TO:

DIAL-A-RIDE

INTRODUCTION

Dear NACOLG Transit Customer:

The NACOLG Transit System is located on the campus of Northwest Shoals Community College at 103 Student Drive, Muscle Shoals, AL.  NACOLG serves the 5 counties of Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, and Winston.  The transit system operates with Federal Funds administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation, and local money.

This guide will provide helpful information regarding the transit system.  You may call 314-0047, Dial-A-Ride, with any other questions.

Thank you for riding NACOLG Transit Dial-A-Ride.

PUBLIC TRANSIT STEERING COMMITTEE

The NACOLG Transit Steering Committee is comprised of interested community leaders, local officials, private transit providers, social service agencies, private industry, the general public and NACOLG Transit staff.  The common goal of the Committee is to provide a safe, efficient, and cost effective transit service.  The Committee meets annually and is an open meeting with public input encouraged.

SERVICE AREA, SERVICE TYPE, SERVICE HOURS

“I Saw the Bus”

NACOLG Transit operates a fleet of 57 vehicles in the service area.  This means the Bus you see may be assigned a different route than yours.  These other buses run hours and schedules different than the Public Dial-A-Ride buses.

Service Area

The NACOLG Transit Dial-A-Ride operates within the police jurisdictions of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Russellville, and Hamilton. In Haleyville Dial-A-Ride operates up to 5 miles from Haleyville.

Service Hours

Monday through Friday except Holidays 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Except for Haleyville which is 8:00 A.M. until  2:00 P.M. and Russellville from 8:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.

Scheduling Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Muscle Shoals area and Russellville 256-314-0047    Haleyville  205 485-7333  

Service Type

NACOLG Transit Dial-A-Ride is “curb to curb” service.  We cannot come onto your property or into your dwelling to help you get to and from the vehicle.  In order to use our service you must be able to get to the point of the vehicle without NACOLG Transit driver’s help.  Once at the vehicle, the driver can help you board and disembark at your destination. One Rider’ helper may ride free.

HELPFUL REMINDERS:

• The vehicle may arrive within 20 minutes of your scheduled pick up time.  For example, if your pick-up time is scheduled for 9:00 A.M. the vehicle may arrive any time between 8:50 and 9:10 A.M.   Once the vehicle arrives, it will only wait 5 minutes after scheduled pick-up time before going on to its next pick-up.
   
• Please be ready at least 10 minutes before your vehicle is scheduled to arrive.
   
• If the vehicle has not arrived 10 minutes after your scheduled time please call NACOLG Transit at the number you used to setup your ride.
   
• The driver is required to collect the fare when you enter the vehicle.
   
• Before departure, buckle your seatbelt.  The driver may assist you if needed.
   
• No eating, drinking, smoking or chewing tobacco is permitted.  No radios (jam boxes), CD, or cassette players, video games will be played on the vehicle without headphones.

FARES:

$3.00 cash only each time board the vehicle. ($6.00 round trip) You must have exact change.

Drivers cannot make change.  Have fares ready and pay as you enter the vehicle.  After paying, take your set and buckle your seat belts so the route may continue.

CUSTOMER CONDUCT:

It is NACOLG Transit policy to provide safe, efficient and quality transportation.  To provide the highest quality of service we must have guidelines that assure all riders of the system are given the opportunity to use the service to its maximum potential.

TRANSIT POLICIES:

• Correct fare must be paid when entering the vehicle.
   
• Be seated promptly.
   
• Buckle up, it’s the law.
   
• No loud or offensive language.
   
• Limited talking to the driver.
   
• Stay seated while the bus is moving, do not change seats while bus is moving.
   
• Misconduct: an act, which creates the potential for injury or death to any customer, driver or the general public.
   
• Abusive conduct: a verbal or physical act that is generally offensive, invades the privacy rights of others, or touching another person in a rude insolent or angry manner.

CONSEQUENCES OF MISCONDUCT:

• First offense may result in suspension of service for that day 
   
• A 2^nd offense within a one-year period shall result in suspension of service for 30 days
    
• A 3^rd offense within a one-year period shall result in suspension of service for 90 days.

HOW TO SCHEDULE; HOW TO CANCEL

How do I make a reservation?

Call NACOLG Transit at 314-0047 between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.  Schedule both your ride and return trip (if needed).  Schedules may vary by up to 10 minutes.  You are scheduling a pick up time, not a delivery time, for example if you have a 10 o’clock doctors appointment your pick up time must be at the latest 9:30. Haleyville scheduling is from 8:00 A.M until 2:00 P.M. (205) 485-7333

You may make a reservation as late as 24 hours in advance.  This often reduces the chance of your getting the ride times you need.  You may call back later in the day or the next day (24 hour rule still applies) to see if a cancellation has occurred.  Please keep scheduling calls as short as possible, the dispatcher is very busy.

NOTE:  All reservation changes must be made before 4 P.M. the day before your scheduled ride.

How do I cancel a reservation?

To cancel a reservation call the same number you called to setup your ride during the operating hours, at least the day before.

LATE CANCELLATIONS; NO SHOW POLICY

Late Cancellation and No Show Policy

Failure to give NACOLG Transit 24 hours notice to cancel your rides is considered a late cancellation.  You will be responsible for the fares.  Cancellation before 24 hours is preferred and does not result in a fare being charged.  24 hour’s cancellation allow other riders to use the time slot reserved by you.  Three late cancellations results in your rides being removed from the schedule.  You cannot reschedule until your “back fares” from these cancellations have been paid.

If we come to your pick up point and you do not come out within 5 minutes you will be considered a “no show” and the driver will go on to their next pick up.  “No Shows” will be responsible for the fare.  Three “No Shows” in a week and you will be removed from the schedules for that and the next week.  You will not be able to schedule new rides until past due “no show” fares are paid.  Call 314-0047 for details.

HOW TO SCHEDULE:

When making a reservation, please be ready to provide:

• Name
• Pick up address (including apartment complex name if appropriate)
• Telephone number
• The day and date you want to ride (I.E. Monday August 16)
• Time of pick up
• Address of your destination (street address not just location)
• Time of return trip
• Whether you use a wheelchair or other mobility device
• Whether a personal care attendant will be riding with you
• Total number of riders planned (friends, grandchildren, children, helper, etc.)

NOTE:  We do not provide child restraints, you must supply your own.       

ACCOMMODATIONS:

How can we accommodate you?

Carry-on packages are welcome.  Limit the number of packages you can carry and hold.  Packages may not be stowed on floor or aisles.  Vehicles are not equipped for storage.  Passengers are responsible for getting packages to and from the vehicle.  Certain items cannot be carried on public transit.  Pets or animals (except service animals) are not allowed on the vehicle.  Other items not allowed:  open containers of food or drinks, containers of gasoline, kerosene, vehicle batteries, and other hazardous material.  Portable containers of oxygen, for health reasons, are allowed.  Call 314-0047 if you have a question about an item you wish to carry.

Can I bring a traveling companion?

Companions are welcome to ride for the regular fare, they must have the same pick up and destination.  You must reserve a seat for your companion.  Children pay the full fare.  Children six and under must be accompanied by an adult and ride free.

Wheelchair Lifts

Not all vehicles are wheelchair lift equipped.  If you need wheelchair or lift accommodations, tell the dispatcher when you schedule.

HOW TO ARRIVE ON TIME:

How do I get there on time?

It is NACOLG Transit goal to provide the greatest number of customers with prompt, efficient, safe and friendly service.  The following are ways you may help us serve you:

·         Make reservations as early as possible; each Monday we schedule for the nest weeks rides. 

·         No same day scheduling

·         The driver will not make unscheduled stops.

·         A customer may not refuse to ride with other customers.

                   1.  Allow at least 30 minutes to reach you destination.

2.  Be prepared for delays due to traffic or bad weather.

3.  Plan your trip, if you need to be somewhere at 11:00 your pick up should be no later than 10:30.
  

·         The driver can wait only 5 minutes beyond the scheduled pick up time, so plan your return trips with a slightly later pick up than needed.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

NACOLG Transit offers ADA Accessibility for our customers with special needs.  Upon request, drivers shall assist individuals with disabilities in boarding and disembarking, wheelchair users, visual or hearing impaired or other disabilities.  AT THE POINT OF VEHICLE all “common” wheelchair users will be loaded, secured and unloaded by the NACOLG DRIVER.  “ A common wheelchair does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length, measured two inches above the ground, and does not weight more than 600 pounds when occupied”, Section 37.165 of the USDOT Regulations.  Customers may have a personal care attendant ride; attendant will not pay a fare.  Customers with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs may use the vehicle lift to enter the vehicle.

Drivers will announce any stop on request of an individual with a disability.  NACOLG Transit shall permit SERVICE ANIMALS to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles.