The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission Section 5311 Rural Transportation Program is currently operating in four of the ten counties: Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox. Within these counties ATRC Rural Transportation provides demand response transportation to the general public of all ages. The Rural Transportation Program also contracts for services to transport dialysis patients, Welfare to Work participants and the mentally impaired and physically handicapped. Also provided is transportation for the elderly to the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Centers, which are located in these counties.
The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission 5311 Transportation Program Currently operates 27 vans. There are twelve full-time employees, and three part-time employees in the program. You can reach our transportation coordinator, Heather Sims, at 334-682-6128 for your transportation needs in Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox County. For services needed in Clarke County you can reach our transportation coordinator, Marion Calhoun, at 251-275-4799. Please call 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride.
Our agency’s mission is to provide safe reliable transportation for all users throughout our service area.
General Policies
- Personal care attendants ride free.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Parents must supply and install child safety seats.
- Service animals are permitted.
- Pets are required to be in a kennel.
- Parcels are limited to five grocery bags or small packages under 10 pounds each.
- Restricted items are not allowed. ( See detailed list below.)
- No Show Policy: Non-cancelled rides will be declared a no show. To cancel a ride please call your designated coordinator in your service area.
- Must be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time.
- Driver will wait no longer than 5 minutes.
- Drivers can perform only ordinary assistance in boarding and deboarding.
- Call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride.
- Drivers do not carry money. An exact fare is required.
We have constructed a 4,000 sq. foot maintenance facility where we can perform all our routine maintenance and minor repairs on our vehicles. We also operate our own Tow Truck from an AARA Grant that we received.
The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission hereby gives public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and all related statutes. Title VI and related statutes prohibiting discrimination in Federally assisted programs require that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal assistance.
Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice regarding Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission programs has a right to file a formal complaint with Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted to Director of Transportation at Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission within one hundred eighty (180) days following date of the alleged occurrence.
A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., Washington, DC 20590
For more information regarding civil rights complaints please contact:
Fred Armstead, Jr. – Director of Transportation
Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission
107 Broad Street Camden, AL 36726
(334) 682-4234 fax: (334) 682-4205 email: lilfred72@hotmail.com
COMPLAINT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR ALABAMA TOMBIGBEE REGIONAL COMMISSION
It is the policy of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission to operate the public transportation program in an open and fair manner for employees, passengers, other transit providers, and the general public. No employee, passenger, other transit provider, or the general public will be discriminated against or suffer any reprisals from making a complaint. Complaints must be in writing and specific. Vague or general charges of unfairness that are not substantiated by facts will not be processed. When an allegation is made that a specific violation, misinterpretation, or inappropriate act has occurred, the following steps should be taken to resolve the issue. The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission will resolve the complaint within fifteen (15) business days of the date of receipt of the written complaint. 1. Employee Complaint Policy If an employee has issue with another employee, passenger, or other member of the general public, he or she should bring the matter to the attention of the Operations’ Coordinator (OC) or similar authority within three (3) days of the occurrence. Complaints must be specific and in writing. If the complaint involves the Operations’ Coordinator or similar authority, the employee should address the issue with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director. The OC or similar authority will listen to all parties involved in the situation, investigate with outside sources if necessary, and resolve the matter within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the written complaint. If the OC or similar authority cannot resolve the matter, it will be brought to the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director for resolution. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at this point, the Department Head or next higher authority will be consulted. If the employee does not feel the matter has been resolved at this point, the Personnel Director or similar authority should be consulted, and the matter brought before the Personnel Board or similar authority, if necessary. 2. Passenger Complaint Policy If a passenger has issue with a Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission employee, another passenger, or other member of the general public, he or she should bring the matter to the attention of the Operations’ Coordinator (OC) or similar authority within three (3) days of the occurrence. Complaints must be specific and in writing. If the complaint involves the Operations’ Coordinator or similar authority, the passenger should address the issue with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director. The OC or similar authority will listen to all parties involved in the situation, investigate with outside sources, if necessary, and resolve the matter within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the written complaint. If the OC or similar authority cannot resolve the matter, it will be brought to the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director for resolution. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at this point, the Department Head or next higher authority will be consulted. If the passenger does not feel the matter has been resolved at this point, the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Liaison or similar authority should be consulted, and the matter brought before the entire Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Executive Committee, if necessary. 43 3. Private Transit Operator Complaint Policy If a private transit operator has issue with Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, he or she should address the matter with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director within three (3) days of the occurrence. Complaints must be specific and in writing. The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director will investigate and resolve the matter within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of the written complaint. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at this point, the (next higher authority) will be consulted. If the private operator does not feel the matter has been resolved at this point, the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Liaison should be consulted, and the matter brought before the entire Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Executive Committee, if necessary. 4. General Complaint Policy If a member of the general public has a complaint with a Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission employee, policy, or other issue, he or she should bring the matter to the attention of the Operations’ Coordinator (OC) or similar authority within three (3) days of the occurrence. Complaints must be specific and in writing. If the complaint involves the Operations’ Coordinator or similar authority, the member of the general public should address the issue with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director. The OC or similar authority will listen to all parties involved in the situation, investigate with outside sources, if necessary, and resolve the matter within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of the written complaint. If the OC or similar authority cannot resolve the matter, it will be brought to the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director for resolution. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at this point, the Department Head will be consulted. If the member of the general public does not feel the matter has been resolved at this point, the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Liaison or similar authority should be consulted, and the matter brought before the entire Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Executive Committee, if necessary.
ALL complaints unresolved at the local level will be submitted to the Alabama Department of Transportation for final resolution, to the attention of:
Mr. Bradley B. Lindsey, P. E.
State Local Transportation Engineer
Local Transportation Bureau
Alabama Department of Transportation 1
409 Coliseum Boulevard
Montgomery, Alabama 36110
Safety of our passengers is our number one concern. This is why we have rules and regulations that must be followed by everyone.
Rules for being an ATRC Passenger:
***Our drivers can perform only ordinary assistance in boarding and unloading. We CANNOT enter homes or push wheelchairs to or from the bus, so please have a friend or family member accompany you if you need assistance. No additional charge will be made for the assistant.
Once on board the bus, the following rules apply to EVERYONE:
- Do not lean or extend the body or articles from vehicles.
- No smoking or vaping. One careless person could start a fire that could lead to disaster and many of our passengers have breathing and heart conditions.
- No eating on the bus, one quick stop and the person that is eating could choke. Another important reason for not eating is litter problems. Litter is not only unsightly but could cause harm if stepped on.
- Proper clothing and hygiene is a MUST when being an ATRC passenger. Proper clothing must be always worn; shirts and shoes are a must.
- Talk to the driver only when necessary. The driver must concentrate on driving without interruptions. The driver must be 100 % focused to ensure a safe trip and good performance.
- When unloading the bus, please wait until the bus has pulled away before crossing the street, as oncoming vehicles cannot see you.
- No loud talking, loud radios, and/or use of profanity because this infringes on the rights to all other passengers and causes distractions for the driver.
- Passengers must treat each other with respect. Every passenger has equal rights to be safe, un-harassed, and assured of their own space on ATRC buses.
- Aisles are to be clear of all items, to prevent risk of falls.
- Passengers are NEVER permitted to be on the bus unattended, if the driver must disembark for any reason, all passengers are to disembark as well. No exceptions.
- All passengers are always to wear their seat belts. The driver will not depart any stop until every passenger is buckled up.
People who refuse to follow the necessary rules will be refused service.
ATRC operators are not permitted to enter the home, office, or any other building to assist passengers.
ATRC operators are not permitted to carry bags or packages for passengers. (This includes medication.)
ATRC operators are only allowed to wait on passengers for 5 minutes at the pick-up point and then proceed to the next scheduled pick-up point. Passenger is required to be ready and wait for pick-up 15 minutes prior to scheduled pick-up time. Disabled passengers or passengers with special needs are allowed extra time to board or disembark the vehicle.
Cancellation of the scheduled ride must be done before 4:30 pm the evening before the passengers scheduled ride. Three late cancellations in a three-month period will result in suspension of service. The passenger may be offered service only after meeting with the Director of Transportation, Freddie Armstead, Jr.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of these rules and regulations, please feel free to contact Heather Sims, Transportation Coordinator at 334-682-6128.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and allowing ATRC to transport you safely to your destination.
SAFETY RULES and RESTRICTED ITEMS FOR OUR VEHICLES
Safety of our passengers is our number one concern, and these rules must be followed by everyone.
- Do not lean or extend the body or articles from the vehicle.
- No vaping, smoking, eating, or drinking on the bus.
- No consumption of any alcoholic beverage or possess an open container of any alcoholic beverage.
- No soliciting, advertising, selling, or distributing goods or services, except as authorized by Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Rural Transportation.
- Do not possess, use, or sell any controlled substance.
- Do not carry or possess any dangerous weapons.
- Do not possess or transport any flammable liquid, or other hazardous material. This includes, but is not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, propane, industrial chemicals, any other flammable chemical, and any toxic substance.
- Proper clothing consists of a top, bottom, and shoes must be worn at all times. The top or shirt must conceal the front side of torso; the bottom or pants must conceal from the waist down to approximately 18 inches and if the shoes are of lace style, these laces must be tied.
- All riders shall maintain appropriate and reasonable personal hygiene that is not seriously disruptive to fellow passengers.
- When de-boarding the bus, please wait until the bus has pulled away before crossing the street.
- Do not engage in disruptive, disturbing behavior including but not limited to: distracting the driver, disrespecting fellow passengers’, loud conversations, profanity or operating any electronic device with sound without headphones.
- All passengers must always use safety restraint equipment such as seatbelts, otherwise you will be refused service.
- Passengers who are either less than four (4) years of age or who weigh less than forty (40) pounds are required to use an appropriately sized child safety seat, and any such seat is required to be properly secured with available restraint equipment at all times. These child safety seats are the sole responsibility of the guardian of the child.
- It is the passenger’s responsibility which is using the oxygen cylinder to make sure each oxygen cylinder is secured to prevent movement and leakage. Each cylinder should be loaded and secured in an upright position. “Secured” means that the cylinder is not free to move when the vehicle is in motion.
- It is the passenger’s responsibility which is using the oxygen cylinder to make sure oxygen cylinders or other medical support equipment should never be stored or secured in the aisle. Make sure that the seating of the passenger requiring oxygen does not restrict access to exits or use of the aisle.
- Since the release of oxygen from a cylinder could accelerate a fire, it is the passenger’s responsibility which is using the oxygen cylinder to make sure each cylinder should be secured away from sources of heat or potential sparks. Securing personal oxygen tanks is the passenger’s responsibility.
- Aisles of the bus must be clear at all times.
- Do not vandalize the vehicle.
- Violation of any federal, state, county, or local criminal laws.
PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO FOLLOW THE NECESSARY RULES WILL BE REFUSED SERVICE
Click https://forms.office.com/g/4vAN0Rr8Dj?origin=lprLink to complete our passenger satisfaction survey.
To request information in different languages please contact the Transportation Coordinator, Heather Sims at 334-682-6128.