Passenger Code of Conduct

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has established this policy governing conduct on all HRT properties to include and not be limited to buses, train, ferry, transfer centers, park & ride locations, bus shelters, station platforms, administrative and operational facilities. This policy also includes any property or equipment within the railroad right of way of The Tide light rail system. People present on HRT owned or operated properties (inclusive of sites, services, vehicles and vessels) are subject to this policy and all other applicable laws and regulations.

Federal law considers any intentional or reckless act that interferes, disables, or incapacitates the operator of a mass transportation vehicle to be an act of terrorism punishable by fine, imprisonment or both. 18 USC Sec. 1992 (A)(6).

Definitions

• Fare Zone – An area in which fare is expected to be prepared for the use of the transit system. Fare zones include queuing or waiting areas at HRT sites such as transit centers (interior and exterior), light rail station platforms, bus stops, and ferry docks.
• Single Trip – A single trip is defined as the point at which the passenger boards the vehicle until the vehicle reaches the next published terminal point. After reaching the terminal point, all passengers must exit the vehicle.
• Round Trip – A round trip is defined as a paid ride both outbound and inbound on the same vehicle regardless of customer’s starting point.
• Ferry Round Trip – A trip from and back to the same location of origin. This may be done in one trip (full circle trip without exiting the ferry) or two different trips at different times.

Passenger Code of Conduct

All persons on or in any Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) facility or vessel, or those present on the property of or areas within HRT’s operational control shall comply with the code of conduct, obey any instructions on notices or signs duly posted, and shall obey lawful orders and directives of any Hampton Roads Transit employee or representative acting within the scope of his or her employment. Compliance with the HRT Passenger Code of Conduct is a mandatory requirement for the use of transit services operated or provided by Hampton Roads Transit.

Prohibited Conduct on HRT Vehicles/Vessels and Property

Criminal activity is not permitted within the transit system, as this behavior is prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law or regulation. The commission of any criminal act shall also be considered a conduct violation for the purposes of this policy and shall render a passenger or present party ineligible for the use of the transit service. Additionally, it is prohibited for any person to commit the following acts on any HRT asset or on any HRT property:

• Trespassing: HRT facilities and properties are for public transportation purposes and their support operations only. Customers pay for access to HRT sites and services. Anyone found to be on or aboard HRT’s property (to include vehicles and vessels) without permission is considered trespassing.
• Restrooms in transit center are amenities only for paying customers. Customers are required to show proof of fare to gain access to the restrooms.
• Loitering: Individuals at HRT bus, light rail shelters, ferry docks and HRT transit centers are required to have valid fare or otherwise approved permission. Time limits of no more than 1 hour waiting for a bus, light rail, ferry, or trolley are enforced at all transit centers, light rail stations, bus shelters and ferry docks.
• Smoking or possessing any lighted or smoldering material or the expulsion of any such material or its residue. Additionally, the use of electronic smoking or “vaping” devices of any kind for any purpose is prohibited.
• Consuming any beverages, food, or alcohol.
  • Food items and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted within transit center properties within reason and are subject to enforcement action(s) by authorized HRT parties in exigent circumstances.
• Entering or attempting to enter any HRT facility or asset without a shirt, pants, and shoes, or removing said item or items while in transit or within an HRT operated facility. All HRT patrons will remain fully dressed while on HRT operated vehicles, vessels, and property. Patrons that refuse to be properly dressed or remove clothing may be subject to legal charges of indecent exposure (Va. Code § 18.2-387).
  • The wearing of hospital gowns alone does not constitute being fully dressed.
  • The wearing of bathing suits alone (without coverups or shirts, etc.) does not constitute being fully dressed.
• Entering or attempting to enter any HRT facility or asset with soiled clothing due to, but not limited to, body eliminations, saliva, blood, or poor hygiene. This is for the safety of transit workers and other passengers.
• Vandalizing any vehicle or vessel, facility, shelter area, park & ride area, station platform or other HRT owned or operated asset by writing, marking, scribbling, defacing, or causing damage to the vehicle or property in any manner.
• Engaging in disruptive, disturbing behavior to include and not be limited to:
  • Playing or operating any radio, television or other electronic device unless the sound can only be heard through earphones and is totally inaudible to all other passengers and or HRT personnel.
  • Loud conversation, profanity, or rude insults.
  • Playing or utilizing any musical instruments or other sound producing devices.
  • Spitting, urinating, or defecating in or upon any properties to include and not be limited to vehicles, facilities or any part of any property owned or operated by HRT.
  • Extending any object or any portion of one’s body through a door or window of a transit vehicle or vessel while it is in motion.
  • Destroying, damaging, defacing, soiling, or removing any part of the vehicle, vessel, facility, or any other property owned or operated by HRT.
• No person shall place or attempt to place any paper, article, instrument, or item, other than HRT approved fare and/or fare media, into any farebox or ticket vending machine operated by HRT.
• No one shall participate in the passing or display of handouts, flyers or advertisements unless granted permission in writing by HRT.
  • No one shall be permitted to post handouts, flyers, or other similar media on to parked cars in park and ride locations unless granted permission in writing by HRT.
• No one shall participate in the solicitation of any goods or services unless authorized in writing by HRT.
• Animals are not permitted except for animals in small cages that do not require separate seats, as well as any pet or animal whose purpose is to assist a person with a disability or to assist in training activities.
  • Animals are not allowed aboard Light Rail vehicles except for those whose purpose is to assist a person with a disability or to assist in training activities (Norfolk City Code Section 34.2-8).
• Laying on seats, benches or other similar areas aboard HRT vehicles or vessels or at any HRT owned or operated site.
• Possessing or transporting any hazardous materials, flammable liquid, radioactive or explosive or otherwise dangerous or volatile substance such as gasoline, kerosene, or propane. This includes “hoverboards” lithium cells or batteries, gas-powered scooters, car or motorcycle batteries, and fuel containers.
• Possessing, using, transporting, or selling any controlled substance.
• Carrying, possessing, transporting, or having immediate access to any illegal weapon.
• Throwing, depositing, placing, or discarding any paper, bottles, cans, or any other refuse or waste in or upon any HRT vehicle or property, unless in designated areas.
• Wrestling, scuffling, fighting, or acting in manner which disturbs the peace or safety or sense of safety of any person or impedes the safe or timely operation of any HRT service at or aboard any HRT vehicle or at any HRT site or property.
• Trespassing upon any vehicle or property not open to the public or posted as such (Va. Code § 18.2-119).
• Leaving baggage or other property unattended or placing items in an obstructive manner aboard vehicles and vessels or on, at or within facilities or other structures.
  • Personal bags allowed aboard vehicles and vessels are limited to those that may reasonably be held safely in the lap of a paying customer, and/or stored safely beneath the seat.
  • Personal bags may not be taken into transit center restrooms unless they are small enough that the patron may keep them on their person (i.e., purse, handbag).
    • HRT is not responsible for theft or damage to personal items.
  • Unattended items on transit system property or assets are subject to search, removal and/or confiscation as deemed reasonably necessary by security or other authorized personnel.
• Allowing juveniles or persons in one’s care to behave in any manner that may jeopardize the normal, safe, or timely conduct of HRT business.
• Pay-per-use scooters operated by third parties or municipalities are not allowed on HRT assets or vehicles, as they cannot be safely stored in storage compartments.
• Mobility devices that cannot be safely operated, or operated under the expected conditions of the manufacturer, are not allowed in the transit system; nor shall HRT employees be expected to jeopardize their safety or the safety of any passenger using such a device by manipulating it, even at the request of the passenger.
• Sleeping: Individuals present at HRT bus stops, light rail shelters, ferry docks, and transit centers are asked to remain awake and alert at all times while awaiting transit services. Additionally, the use of sleeping bags, blankets, or any item in a manner that it conceals one’s person is prohibited.
  • Transit property and transit services are not designed to accommodate sleeping. Laying out across benches, multiples seats, or other amenities is not permitted.

Other Prohibited Actions (Specific for Buses and Trolleys)

• Standing or remaining in front of the white (or yellow) line marked on the forward end of the floor of any bus while bus is in motion or after being asked to step back behind the line by the driver or other HRT representative.
• Interfering with the bus driver’s safe operation of the bus. (verbally or physically)
• Entering the bus through the rear door unless authorized to do so by the driver or other HRT employee.
• Blocking aisles with personal items.
  • Items must be able to fit either in the patron’s lap or in the space in front of the patron’s feet. Items may not be stored in another seat. Strollers, carts, or similar items must be collapsed prior to boarding, and may not be stored in the aisle.

Other Prohibited Actions (Specific for Light Rail trains) (Ref. Norfolk City Code 34.2)

• Standing, sitting, or lying within the colored detectable warning pavers on the edge of the train station platforms except for boarding and exiting the light rail vehicles.
• Skating or skateboarding on station platforms (City Code Section 34.2-9)
• Blocking the aisles with personal items is not allowed at any time.
  • Large items must be able to fit either in the patron’s lap or in the space in front of the patron’s feet. Items may not be stored in another seat.
  • Strollers, carts, or similar items must be collapsed prior to boarding, and may not be stored in the aisle.
• It shall be unlawful for any person to board or ride any light rail vehicle when he/she uses a fraudulent or counterfeit ticket as a means to evade payment of the posted fare published by HRT. A violation of this continues from the point of boarding through termination of the light rail vehicle’s scheduled trip. (City Code Section 34. 2-3 5(b))
• A passenger who refuses to provide proof of fare payment or conform to any lawful regulation may be removed from the public transportation system, light rail vehicle or rail transit platform by any authorized person at any rail transit platform or usual stopping place. (City Code Section 34. 2-4)
• Hanging onto or attaching his or her body to any exterior part of a light rail vehicle or touching a moving light rail vehicle. (City Code Section 34. 2-9 (2))
• Entering between coupled light rail vehicles. (City Code Section 34. 2-9 (3))
• Throwing an object at or from any light rail vehicle or at any person or thing on or in any light rail vehicle or rail transit platform. (City Code Section 34 2.9 (5))
• Lighting a flashlight, scope light, laser light, or object that projects a flashing light or beams of light while inside a light rail vehicle or towards a light rail vehicle, except in an emergency. (City Code Section 34. 2-9 (3))
• HRT staff and/or security will require any fare paying passenger riding the train for more than one round trip to exit the train. THERE IS NO LOITERING ALLOWED ON THE TRAINS OR AT THE STATION PLATFORMS.

Other Prohibited Behavior (Specific for Transit Centers)

• People are not permitted to use HRT restroom facilities for bathing, shaving, or other similar activities beyond standard hygiene.
• People are not permitted to use HRT restroom facilities to engage in illicit, illegal, or unauthorized activities.
• People are not permitted to use HRT restroom facilities to wash clothing or other personal items.
• People are not permitted to unplug HRT devices or otherwise manipulate HRT electrical power systems or supplies for the charging of personal devices.
• Transit center wait times are one (1) hour. People who remain on property for longer than one (1) hour, except for those waiting on a known delayed trip, are subject to ejection by authorized HRT personnel.
  • Authorized personnel include but are not limited to Security Staff, Transportation Management, Police Officers.
• People who have self-propelled mobility devices (i.e., bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc.) must walk these devices while on transit center grounds, and for their safety may not ride them on the property.

Passenger Expectations

• Be respectful of operator and other patrons at all times.
• When waiting for the vehicle or vessel, be within the immediate area of the stop/shelter/station/dock.
  • If a shelter/stop is obstructed (due to construction, blockage, etc.), that area may not be safe to service, and passengers should be advised to move to another stop or pick-up location.
  • If a stop’s location sign is missing or damaged, that location may not be serviced until replacement or repairs are processed. Passengers are advised to move to another stop or pick-up location and should report the missing or damaged sign to Customer Service at 757-222-6100.
• Have fare/payment ready before boarding.

• For the safety and security of the riding public, as well as the staff and assets of HRT, persons on HRT properties, when requested by an HRT Official, are expected to identify themselves.
• HRT owns all Fare Identification (ID) and Customer ID credentials issued by Customer Service. Patrons to whom HRT Identification credentials are issued must surrender them immediately when requested by an authorized HRT Official.

The information listed in this policy is subject to change and update at any time.

Ban Policy

The following are prohibited activities at any HRT property, building, structure, station, bus stop, transfer center, dock, pier, track or on any vehicle owned, operated and/or maintained by HRT:

• Disorderly, lewd, or lascivious conduct.
• Fighting, assault and battery or other threatening behavior.
• Engaging in public display “in hand” or use of any firearms or other deadly weapons.
• Damaging, destroying, and/or defacing the property of HRT, its employees, or customers.
• Harassment or stalking.
• Urination or defecation anywhere other than a restroom.
• Unsafe or reckless driving.
• Smoking, vaping, or e-cigarette use.
• Consuming alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substance on any HRT property.
• Selling, distributing, consuming, or possessing illegal substances or drug paraphernalia on HRT property.
• Engaging in any criminal activity on HRT property.
• Engaging in conduct which interferes with HRT business operations by adversely affecting the health, safety or welfare of any employee, customer, contractor and/or properties of HRT, or the public at large.
• Engaging in any form of solicitation without proper permits and permissions.
• Grounding, using hand signals, gestures and/or clothing to show gang affiliation for the purpose of threatening or intimidating HRT employees, customers, contractors, or other gang related activity.
• Attempting to elude payment of the proper fare, including, but not limited to, non-payment; use of counterfeit fare media; use of counterfeit passes; etc.
• Violation of Passenger Code of Conduct Policy (SEC-207)
• Any act that obstructs, hinders, interferes, disturbs, distracts, impedes, or harasses with the normal operation of an HRT property, vehicle, operator or employee.

Ban Appeal Process

• Individuals that have been banned from HRT property or HRT services may appeal such ban in writing. An appeal must be received by HRT within ten (10) business days from: (1) date the individual was orally advised of his/her banned status; or (2) the date of issuance of the ban notice. Appeals shall be sent via first class U.S. Mail or hand delivered to:
   
  HAMPTON ROADS TRANSIT
  ATTN: HRT Security Manager
  509 East 18th Street
  Norfolk, VA 23504
• The appeal should state the factual basis for the challenge, including any supporting witnesses.
• An appeal committee comprised of three Department of Security Services staff and/or other departmental managers. Will review the appeal and may conduct follow-up interviews and/or investigations. Security personnel directly involved in the appealed banishment will not participate in this review board.
• A hearing, if requested by the banished person, may be held in person or via telephone conference, at the discretion of the Senior Manager of Security Services or their designee.
• A representative of the Department of Security Services will notify the individual of the result of their appeal in writing within thirty (30) days of the appeal hearing date.