Community Transit Service (CTS)

Program Overview

Community Transit Service (CTS) was developed to provide safe and efficient transportation to the general public and persons with special needs as specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and as defined by contracts into which Community Transit Service may enter from time to time.

Our buses have low floors, so your first step on board can be easier, equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp. Our operators are trained to assist people with disabilities in boarding and securing their wheelchairs on the bus. By Federal Law, our operators announce major transfer points, intersections, and destination points along each route.

Goal

Community Transit Service aims to implement and maintain an efficient and effective transportation system to serve the general public.

Objectives

• To provide transportation designed to accommodate the general public and persons with disabilities.
• To maintain a trained staff for the operation and control of the system.

Policy

It is the policy of Community Transit Service that no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any program or activity undertaken by Community Transit Service. Community Transit Service serves persons regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin.

General Procedures

All publicized services are made in accessible formats (i.e., large print, TDD, Braille, audio tape) “upon request.”

Service Area: Ellis and Navarro County

Eligibility Requirements:

• Trips must originate from Ellis or Navarro County
• No special requirements are needed

Program Highlights:

• Served about 100 households in a month
• New vehicles equipped with wheelchair accessibility
• Safe, Reliable, and Friendly Transportation
• Mobility Manager meets each new rider with onboarding information.

Interested? Why Wait? Get Started Today!

• Call 1-800-834-1924
• Schedule your ride
• Purchase a bus pass from your driver

25,000 passenger trips make an impact!

Donate to Community Transit Service to help us expand our transit service. Click the button below to fill out a donation form.

Meet Kim, Our Mobility Manager

“My job is to work in partnership with others in our communities by helping to ensure that individuals have the resources and the path they need to follow to become self-sufficient again.”

Coming Soon!

An innovative way of scheduling trips, tracking your ride, and online payments.

Community Transit Rural Public Transportation

Community Transit Service is a Member of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Title VI Policy

Effective February 2014

Revised: May 2017; June 2020

Community Transit Service (CTS) Commitment to Civil Rights

CTS operates as a component of Community Services, Inc. (CSI). CTS is a rural public transportation program that provides demand response in the Ellis and Navarro County area. CTS currently has 15 transit-related employees and 12 revenue vehicles. Hours of operation are Monday thru Saturday, 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. excluding holidays.

CTS is hereby given public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 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 subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice regarding CTS programs has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted to the Title VI Complaint Coordinator within 180 days following the date of the alleged occurrence. Complaint procedures and forms are available on the transit website: www.csicorsicana.org. For more information regarding civil rights complaints, please contact:

 

Community Transit Service

Physical address: 302 Hospital Drive, Corsicana, TX 75110

Mailing address: P.O. Box 612, Corsicana, Texas 75151-0612

Tel: (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924

Email: kragan@csicorsicana.org

Complaint Filing Procedure:

A Complainant should follow the following steps for filing a complaint:

1. Community Transit Service- P.O. Box 612 (Corsicana, Texas 75151-0612)
2. TxDOT- Public Transportation Division- 125 E. 11th (Austin, Texas 78701)
3. FTA-Office of Civil Right-Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator

East Building, 5th Floor-TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, (Washington, DC 20590)      

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that no person in the United States, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination may file a written complaint with the CTS office. Federal and state law requires complaints to be filed within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days of the last alleged incident. The agency will notify their PTC (Public Transportation Coordinator) by email or fax of any Title VI-related complaints received within ten working days of the receipt of the complaint, including a paper or electronic copy of the complaint form.

If information is needed in another language, contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924

SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME:

 (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924

 

Complaint Form

A complaint may be submitted in writing that contains the following information:

a. The complaint form may be obtained from our local office, website, or the Transit
Drivers. If information is needed in another language, call (903)872-2405 or 1 (800) 834-1924.

SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405 o 1 (800) 834-1924.

Office: Community Transit Services
302 Hospital Drive
Corsicana, Texas 75110
Website: www.csicorsicana.org

b.  Name, address, and telephone number of the complainant.

c.  Names of person(s) who allegedly discriminated against you, if known.

d. Date(s) of alleged discrimination.

e. Location of the alleged incident.

f.  Type of alleged discrimination.

g.  Explain what happened and how you believe you were discriminated against.

h. Name, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons who may have knowledge of the event.

i.  What other information do you have that you believe is relevant to this investigation?

j.  Have you filed a complaint with CTS before? If so, include: when, where, and how.

k.  Complainant’s signature and date.

l.  The complaint may be emailed to kragan@csicorsicana.org or mailed to CTS at P.O. Box 612, Corsicana, Tx.75151-0612, or faxed to 1 (903) 875-3779.

Formularia de Queja

Se puede obtener un formulario de queja o se puede presentar un reclamante en una
declaración escrita que contenga la siguiente información:

1. El formulario de queja se puede recoger de nuestra oficina local, sitio web, o de los
   conductores de tránsito. SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405Oficina: Community Transit Service
   302 Hospital Drive
   Corsicana, Texas 75110
   Sitio web: www.csicorsicana.org
2. Nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del reclamante.
   c. Nombres de la (s) persona (s) que supuestamente discriminaron en su contra, si se conocen.
   d. Fecha (s) de presunta discriminación.
   e. Ubicación del presunto incidente.
   f. Tipo de supuesta discriminación.
   g. Explique qué sucedió y cómo cree que fue discriminado.
   h. Nombre, direcciones y números de teléfono de la persona que puede tener conocimiento
   Del evento.
   i. ¿Qué otra información usted tiene que usted cree es relevante a esta investigación?
   j. ¿Ha presentado una queja ante CTS antes? Si es así, incluya: cuándo, dónde y cómo.
   k. Firma y fecha del reclamante.
   l. La queja puede ser enviada por correo electrónico a kragan@csicorsicana.org o por correo a CTS en P.O. Box 612, Corsicana, Tx.75151-0612, o por fax al 1 (903) 875-3779

 

What Happens To My Complaint?

The agency will notify their PTC (Public Transportation Coordinator) by email or fax of any Title VI-related complaints received within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the complaint, including a paper or electronic copy of the complaint form.

The Title VI Complaint Coordinator will contact the complainant in writing no later than fifteen (15) working days after receipt of the complaint for additional information to investigate the complaint. If the complainant fails to provide the requested information promptly, the Title VI Complaint Coordinator may administratively close the complaint.

The Executive Director and the Title VI Complaint Coordinator will complete the investigation within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the complaint. A written investigation report will be prepared by the investigator and will be kept confidential. The report shall include a summary description of the incident, findings, and recommendations. A written report will be provided to the complainant on the incident and findings.

If the matter cannot be resolved, then the complainant can make an appeal request within sixty
(60) days of the incident. The written appeal must include the complainant’s name, address,
and telephone contact number. A statement of the reason(s) why the complainant believes the
denial of accommodation requests or access to public transportation was inappropriate is
recommended. If the matter cannot be resolved, it may be taken to the CTS Board for an appeal, and if the matter cannot be resolved, the complainant will be informed of his/her right to appeal to:

Federal Transit Administration-Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator,
East Building, 5th Floor- TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE. Washington, DC 20590 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) POLICY

COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.

DBA

COMMUNITY TRANSIT SERVICE

MARCH 21, 2012

JULY 14, 2015

MAY 10, 2019

JANUARY 7, 2020

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT POLICY STATEMENT

Introduction

Community Transit Service transportation services were developed to provide safe and efficient transportation to the general public and persons with special needs as specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and as defined by contracts into which Community Transit Service may enter from time to time.

Goal

Community Transit Service transportation services aim to implement and maintain an efficient and effective transportation system to serve the general public.

Objectives

The specific objectives of Community Transit Service transportation services are:

1. To provide transportation designed to accommodate the general public and persons with disabilities, and
2. To maintain a trained staff for the operation and control of the system.

Policy

It is the policy of Community Transit Service that no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subject to discrimination under any program or activity undertaken by Community Transit Service. Community Transit Service serves persons regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin.

General Procedures

All publicized services are made in accessible formats (i.e., large print, TDD, Braille, audio tape) upon request.

Reservations

To arrange a ride, customers need to call Community Transit Service at 903-872-2405. Please be prepared to provide your name, the addresses of the pick-up and drop-off points, your arrival and departure times, and any special accommodations you may need.

Customers are required to telephone Community Transit Service to reserve a ride at least one (1) day but up to two (2) weeks in advance of the desired trip. Reservations are accepted daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If a return ride is required, it should be scheduled at that same time. If scheduling permits, Community Transit Service may accommodate customers on shorter notice.

Scheduling Tips

Many factors can affect your travel plans. Weather can affect traffic conditions and slow service. Medical appointments, for example, are often delayed, so it is better to overestimate rather than underestimate your travel and appointment times. Please consider any conditions that may affect your pick-up and drop-off times.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers are expected to be ready and waiting just inside the entrance door or other prearranged location at the agreed-upon time. Customers finding that they cannot meet the Community Transit Service driver at the location or time scheduled are expected to call Community Transit Service and advise them as soon as possible. If Community Transit Service cannot meet the customer at the agreed-upon time, Community Transit Service will make every effort to alert the customer of this change.

Cancellations Policy

Community Transit Service has a two (2) hour cancellation notice required before the scheduled pick-up time. Less than two hours of notification is considered a No-Show. Failure to cancel may result in the loss of transportation privileges.

“No-Shows”– Community Transit Service buses will wait five (5) minutes for customers at each scheduled pickup point. Customers who are more than 5 minutes late or fail to meet the bus for any reason are considered “No Shows.”Customers are given notice that three (3) No-Shows in a thirty-day (30) period will result in the suspension of services for a period of one (1) month. In the event the problem continues, the service can be suspended permanently.

Priority Seating/Flip-up Seats

Priority seats are made available to individuals with disabilities.

All persons occupying flip-up seats in the wheelchair securement area will be relocated to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs.

Passenger Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Aids

Community Transit carries all wheelchairs and occupants if the lift and vehicle can physically accommodate them unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements. “Legitimate safety requirements” includes such circumstances as a wheelchair of such size that it would block an aisle, or would be too large to fully enter a vehicle would block the vestibule or would interfere with the safe evacuation of passengers in an emergency. Wheelchairs are defined to include 3-wheeled or more mobility aids.

Community Transit Service reserves the right to deny service if the situation is determined to be unsafe for the passenger and/or the driver. Community Transit Service allows customers to travel with portable oxygen and other life support equipment. Community Transit Service may require a customer to supply his or her own Personal Care Attendant (PCA). Generally, the following conditions warrant a PCA.

Immobility

If the customer is incapable of self-mobility, or if self-mobility is possible, but the risk of falling or physical injury exists, and the assistance of a PCA would provide mobility or lessen the danger of injury, then the customer’s attendant may accompany the customer at no cost.

Disorientation

If the customer, due to a visual or mental impairment, is unable to properly orient him/herself and navigate to reach a destination, and the assistance of a PCA is required, the customer’s attendant may ride at no cost.

Non-Comprehension

If the customer, due to mental impairment, cannot adequately perform those cognitive processes necessary to handle common occurrences, or effectively control his/her own actions, thereby requiring the assistance of a PCA, the customer’s attendant may ride free.

Communication Impairment

If the customer cannot effectively transmit or receive communications due to sensory or mental problems, and if these problems prevent the customer from using the service, the customer’s attendant may ride free.

Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

Attendants are required to assist the customer, including specifically, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Assisting the customer from his/her door to the bus and back again
• Opening doors
• Pushing wheelchairs
• Carrying packages
• Communication with the driver (if the customer is unable)

If a PCA does not specifically perform some type of assistance for the customer, that person is considered a guest and is charged the full fare.

In addition to physician-related PCAs, attendants will be required to accompany under the following circumstances:

• Customers unable to orient him/herself and navigate to reach a destination
• Customers unable to effectively control his/her own actions
• Customers who will not remain seated and belted
• Customers using non-conventional wheelchairs and who are unable to transfer independently
• Children under seven (7) years of age, and
• Others, as required by the Transportation Coordinator

Animals

Community Transit Service allows customers to travel with animals trained to assist them. All animals, except those required to aid the customer (e.g., seeing-eye dog), must be contained in an approved pet travel kennel. The animal must remain restrained in the kennel throughout the trip.

Customer Behavior

To assure the safety and comfort of all customers and the driver, the following activities are prohibited on all vehicles, and persons who engage in these activities may be refused service:

• Smoking
• Eating and drinking e Playing personal radios
• Consuming alcoholic beverages, using illegal drugs
• Using obscene or abusive language
• Behaving in ways that are violent or seriously disruptive
• Shoving, pushing, or behaving in a disorderly manner
• Causing damage to the vehicle

 

Driver Assistance

Community Transit Service drivers will assist customers when boarding and exiting the vehicle. Drivers will secure wheelchairs and help with seat belts, small parcels, and up to three bags of groceries. Drivers are not permitted to carry groceries or packages up and down stairs or steps, enter homes, or accept gifts or tips.

Reasonable modification

Community Transit Service provides demand response service with a curb-to-curb policy and a no-back policy; however, Community Transit Service will make reasonable modifications of its policy upon request from individuals who would otherwise be unable to use the service. Reasonable modifications will be denied based on the following.

The request will:

1. Fundamentally alter the nature of the entity’s transit service
2. Create a direct threat to the health or safety of others
3. Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability can fully use the transit agency’s services, program, or activities for their intended purpose
4. Granting the request would cause an undue financial or administrative burden 

Accidents/Incidents/Complaints

All complaints should be directed to Katie Ragan at Community Transit Service by phone: 903-875-3736, email: kragan@csicorsicana.org, or by mail: Community Services, Inc., P.O. Box 612 Corsicana, TX 75151

All accidents/incidents and discriminatory complaints will be documented and filed separately according to complaint type, along with the response to the complainant.

When filing a complaint, please provide the following information:

• Contact information (name, address, telephone, or email)
• Mobility aid used (if any)
• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Vehicle ID number
• Name(s) of agency employee(s) or others

 

Grievance Procedures

Step l: The complainant will contact Katie Ragan to report the complaint by phone, mail, or email (contact information listed above). In response to the complaint, Mrs. Ragan will contact the complainant within two to five business days. If there is no response or resolution to the complaint, proceed to step two.

Step 2: The complainant will contact Daniel Edwards, Sr., Executive Director at Community Services Inc. by phone: 903-875-3721, by email: dedwards@csicorsicana.org

or by Mail: Community Services Inc., P.O. Box 612, Corsicana TX, 75151. Mr. Edwards will respond within seven to ten business days. If there is no response or resolution to the complaint, proceed to step three.

Step 3: The complainant will notify in writing Dairy Johnson, Chairperson of the

Community Services, Inc. Board of Directors by mail: Community Services, Inc., P.O. Box 612, Corsicana TX, 75151. If the aggrieved person needs assistance in preparing the letter, he or she may request assistance from a third party of their choice. The Chairperson shall then convene a committee to be composed of three persons. One member, who shall serve as chairperson, shall be chosen by the Community Services, Inc. Chairperson from among the Community Services, Inc. Board membership. A second member shall be a Community Transit Service user and be chosen by the aggrieved person. A third member shall be chosen by the Community Services, Inc. Board Chairperson. The Committee shall then meet the aggrieved person. The hearing is limited to the specific grievance presented in the letter. If these efforts prove unsuccessful within ten to fourteen business days, proceed to the final step.

Following deliberation, the committee shall present a written recommendation to the Chairperson for disposition by the Community Services, Inc. Board of Directors.

Final Step:

The aggrieved person shall present his or her grievance to:

Texas Department of Transportation
Civil rights Division 125 E 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Termination of Services

If a person does not follow guidelines and procedures involving the use of Community Transit Service Transportation, services will be terminated as follows:

1. If feasible, the person will receive two oral warnings.
2. If compliance is not achieved after the two oral warnings, the person shall receive a written warning stating in detail the area of non-compliance.
3. If compliance is not achieved after the written -warning, the person shall be notified in writing that his or her use of all or a portion of Community Transit Service services is terminated, with a statement of reasons therefor.