KAT Passenger Ride Guide

PURPOSE: The purpose of this information is to establish the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) policy and procedures governing passenger conduct on KAT vehicles and at KAT Transit Center as described herein.

• Interfering with the general operation of the transit vehicle and/or transit worker’s duties (includes but is not limited to the following: failure to properly board or alight, blocking the progress of transit vehicles, disturbing/touching the operator, crossing the yellow line, improper use of priority seating, etc.)
• Riders should stay seated or secure until the bus comes to a complete stop. For courtesy. Please move to the rear of the vehicle when boarding and exit via the back door.
• Minor assault: any taunts, language, or placement of one’s body that a reasonable person would perceive was intended to or could reasonably endanger the safety of any individual or interfere with a transit worker’s ability to perform their duties safely.
• Serious assault: repeated verbal taunts and or threats, without physical contact, that a reasonable person could perceive as a threat to the safety of the driver or another person.
• Battery: any unwanted or unwelcome physical contact that can include touch, hugging or other unwanted sexual advances or more serious instances of physical contact that a reasonable person could believe included an intent to harm or intimidate
• Conversations between passengers or on cell phones shall be kept at a reasonable volume. At no time will vulgar or abusive language, including profanity, be tolerated.
• Playing personal radios and other musical devices is not allowed except with earphones. Volume on the earphones shall be kept at a level that does not disturb other passengers.
• Only service animals are allowed on board a KAT bus or at its facilities. The animals are not allowed to run at large, unreasonably disturb others, or interfere with transit-related activities.
• Children aged six (6) and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
• Videotaping or taking photographs on any KAT vehicle is prohibited without prior consent of KAT.
• Soliciting money or distributing literature on KAT buses or facilities is not allowed at any time.
• Lying down or otherwise occupying more than one seat, bench or table on the bus, at KAT Central Station or service stops is not allowed.
• Flammable liquid, combustible material or other dangerous substances such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, car batteries are not allowed to be carried on the bus.
• Disruptive conduct of any nature by passengers will not be tolerated on KAT buses or in KAT facilities, including but not limited to the excretion of any bodily fluid or spit upon or at another person and obscene, threatening, or inciting language or gestures. This conduct will result in the trespass or ejection of the disruptive passenger from the bus or facilities.
• KAT may deny passage to any rider who is identified as being disruptive or a threat to other passengers.
• Vandalizing any vehicle, facility, or service stops by writing, marking, scribbling, defacing or causing damage to the vehicle, equipment, or facilities in any manner is prohibited.
• Selling, using, or possessing illegal drugs or containers of open alcohol.
• Wearing any mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered to conceal the identity of the wearer. EXCEPTION – N95, KN95 and other masks that are primarily covering only the nose and mouth to prevent disease transmission are allowed
• Carts may not be used if they obstruct the aisles and are unable to be collapsed.
• Baby strollers may be brought onto the bus, but must be folded and kept out of the aisle. Children are not allowed to sit in strollers while aboard the bus.
• Failure to pay the appropriate fare or present a valid pass
• Priority seating is for persons with disabilities. All other passengers should make these seats available to those who wish to use them.
• All packages/ bags must be held in your lap. They may not take up an extra seat or be placed in the aisle.
• Exhibiting personal hygiene and/or possessing odors which are offensive to constitute a nuisance to other persons. Odors deemed a nuisance to others can include those which arise from one’s personal clothes, articles, accompanying animal or other sources, like marijuana smell.