Accessibility
How Cherriots makes services accessible to everyone, regardless of ability
- Accessibility Features
- Services
- Mobility Devices
- Service Animals
- Reduced Fare ID
- Reasonable Modifications
- ADA Policy and Grievances
Bus Accessibility Features
- Every Cherriots bus is equipped with a boarding ramp or power lift in order to best serve our riders and ensure ADA compliance. Most of our buses are low-floor buses that can "kneel," or lower the first step closer to the curb for easier boarding. Ramps, lifts, and kneeling are available to anyone who uses a mobility device or has difficulty climbing steps. Just ask the driver for assistance.
- The priority seating area is located inside near the front door. These seats are reserved for seniors and people with disabilities.
- There is a securement area on board with room for two mobility devices.
- Major stops and transfer points are announced automatically over the speaker system and displayed on a reader board near the operator. You can also ask the operator to announce when the bus is approaching your stop.
- The reader board near the operator displays when a stop has been requested.
Travel Training
Travel Training is a free instructional program designed to help anyone needing to learn how to use Cherriots services, including seniors and people with disabilities. Help is provided with trip planning and route guidance.
Cherriots LIFT
Cherriots LIFT is an origin-to-destination transportation service for people whose disability prevents them from using the Cherriots Local buses.
Cherriots Shop and Ride
Cherriots Shop and Ride is a shopper shuttle and dial-a-ride service available for seniors and people with disabilities. No application is required.
Mobility Devices
Taking your mobility device on the bus is easier than you think. Each driver is trained to assist you in securing your mobility device. Here are a few simple rules to follow when riding with your mobile device:
- Wait in view: wait in the middle of the bus stop where the driver can see you clearly. If you need to use the ramp or lift and the driver has not already deployed it, just ask.
- Find priority seating and securing areas: once on board, look for the priority seating area near the front of the bus. Two secure seating areas are provided for mobility devices. The driver will secure your mobility device per Cherriots policy.
- Request a stop: to alert the driver of your stop, simply press the marked signal strip, which will alert the driver the lift or ramp has been requested. This ensures the operator will stop in a location that is suitable for mobility devices.
- Exit the bus: when the bus stops, the driver will remove the securement straps from your mobility device and deploy the ramp or lift for you.
Service Animals
Your service animal is always welcome on the bus. While no permit is required, you may be asked if your animal is a service animal and what service the animal provides. Your animal must:
- Remain under your control at all times.
- Behave appropriately at all times.
- Remain at your feet or on your lap. Animals may not sit on the seat.
- Not be aggressive toward people or other animals.
- Be housebroken.
You are responsible for any damage or soiling caused by your animal. All other non-service animals such as dogs or cats must be in secure containers to ride Cherriots. For any questions about bringing your service animal on the bus, please call us at 503-588-2877 (BUSS).
Reduced Fare ID
The Cherriots Reduced Fare ID is a card that allows you to purchase bus fares at the reduced rate. Reduced Fare IDs can be either permanent or temporary.
Requesting Reasonable Modifications
If you require a reasonable modification to our services in order to use our Cherriots Local buses, you can make a request on our Reasonable Modifications page.
ADA Policy
The Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II, states, in part, that “no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in programs, services or activities sponsored by a public entity.” At Cherriots, we are committed to complying with the requirements of Title II of the ADA in all of its programs, services, benefits and activities.
ADA Grievance Procedure: Submitting a Title II Grievance
All grievances concerning discrimination in provision or accessibility of Cherriots programs, services, benefits or activities, or about a response to a request for accommodation or modification of programs, services, benefits or activities, should be submitted to Cherriots.
A formal grievance may be submitted to:
ADA Coordinator
555 Court Street NE, Suite 5230
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-2424
Fax: 503-588-5119
Email: sueann.coffin@cherriots.org
The grievance should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than sixty (60) days following the actions upon which it is based. The grievance must describe the facts, including, if applicable, the date, time and location of the actions that are the subject of the grievance, and must state the requested remedy. Persons submitting grievances must include their name, address, telephone number and an email address, if one is available.
Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the grievance, the ADA Compliance Officer, or his/her designee, shall meet with the person making the grievance to discuss the grievance, gather additional information and identify possible resolutions. Within twenty-one (21) calendar days following the meeting, the ADA Compliance Officer or designee shall respond to the grievance in written or other accessible format. The response shall explain Cherriots conclusions regarding the allocations made by the person who made the grievance and, if appropriate, suggest options for resolving the grievance.
Review of Grievance Request
The person making the grievance may request review of the grievance if she/he is dissatisfied with the ADA Compliance Officer’s response or proposed resolutions. Review requests must be made within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of the ADA Compliance Officer’s response and may be submitted by mail, phone, or fax.
Requests for grievance review can be made to:
Cherriots Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Attn: ADA Grievance Review Request
555 Court Street NE, Suite 5230
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-2424
Fax: 503-588-5119
Within twenty-one (21) calendar days after receipt of the review request, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or his/her designee, shall either respond to the grievance in written or other accessible format or will contact the person making the grievance to obtain any necessary additional information. If additional information from the person who made the grievance is requested the Chief Operating Officer or designee shall provide a response to the grievance within seven (7) days following receipt of the additional information.
All grievances and grievance review requests submitted to the ADA Coordinator in written, electronic or recorded format, as well as responses thereto, will be retained by Cherriots for at least three (3) years.
Feedback
Cherriots is committed to receiving feedback from our riders. You might contact us for a variety of reasons: to compliment a driver, make a complaint about an issue, share a safety concern, or offer general feedback.
Feedback regarding ADA paratransit service at Cherriots can be made by telephone, mail, or email to:
SueAnn Coffin
ADA Coordinator
555 Court St. NE, Suite 5230
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-2424
Email: sueann.coffin@cherriots.org