LCT Policies

COVID-19 Policy

Lorain County Transit's top priority is to keep our riders and driver safe. Our protocol is to thoroughly clean the buses daily with a disinfectant solution recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As an extra level of precaution, Lorain County Transit (LCT) is spending more time wiping down touchpoints on our buses.

Drivers have been directed to wipe surfaces throughout the day and have been equipped with sanitizing wipes and alcohol-based hand sanitizer so they can keep the surfaces clean while the bus is in service.

A face covering is required while riding the bus as well as practicing social distancing.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

Lorain County Transit of Elyria, Ohio hereby announces its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals for fiscal years 2022-2024. The overall goal of DBE participation in contracting opportunities is 1.75%. Lorain County Transit's goal and information regarding the DBE program are available for public review at the address below between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm on business days. Comments regarding the goals and the DBE program will be accepted for a period of thirty days (30) days following the publication of this notice. Interested persons and qualified DBE firms should contact:

226 Middle Avenue
Elyria, OH 44035
440-329-5525
 
Pamela Novak, Chief Finance Officer, Lorain County Transit, or by phone at 440-406-3130. For more information please view the Lorain County Transit DBE Program Policy Statement (PDF).

Title VI Policy

  • The LCT operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the LCT.
  • For more information on the LCT’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact 440-329-5525; email pnovak@loraincounty.us; or visit our administrative office at 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria, OH 44035. 
  • 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., SE, Washington, DC 20590. • If information is needed in another language, contact 440-329-5525.

Title VI Complaint Form (PDF)

Aviso TíTulo VI

  • El LCT (por sus siglas en español) opera sus programas y servicios, sin distinción de raza, color y origen nacional, de conformidad con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles. Cualquier persona que cree que él o ella ha sido agraviada por cualquier práctica discriminatoria ilegal bajo el Título VI, puede presentar una queja ante el LCT.
  • Para obtener más información sobre el programa de derechos civiles del LCT, y los procedimientos para presentar una queja, contacte a 440-329-5525; pnovak@loraincounty.us correo electrónico; o visite nuestra oficina administrativa en 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio 44035. Para obtener más información, visite www.loraincountyohio.gov/280/Transit.
  • El demandante puede presentar una queja directamente con la Administración Federal de Transporte mediante la presentación de una queja ante la Oficina de Derechos Civiles, Atención: Coordinador de Programa del Título VI, edificio Oriente, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590. ▪ Si se necesita información en otro idioma, llame al 440-329-5525.

ADA Complaint Procedures

If you have a complaint about the accessibility of our transit system or service or believe you have been discriminated against because of your disability, you can file a complaint. Please provide all facts and circumstances surrounding your issue or complaint so we can fully investigate the incident. Please refer to Lorain County Transit's ADA Complaint Procedures (PDF) for more information and complete the ADA Complaint Form (PDF).

Reasonable Modification Policy

LCT is committed to providing safe, reliable, courteous, accessible, and user-friendly services to its customers. To ensure equality and fairness, LCT is committed to making reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requests for modifications can be made by calling 440-329-5525 or emailing requests.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and public transportation (including fixed-line route, demand response, and paratransit service) and mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. The ADA's current text includes changes made by the Amendments Act following the initial passing of the Act.

Lorain County Transit depends on grants from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which mandates ADA compliance. LCT, as a provider of public transportation, is subject to the requirements of the ADA and its amendments. LCT is subject to audits and investigations to assess compliance and may receive penalties for failure to comply.

References

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LCT employees when approached by individuals with disabilities who wish to request a reasonable modification in order to utilize transit service offered by LCT and to outline the process by which requests for reasonable modification will be received, approved or denied, and/or appealed.

  • This policy is also designed to educate all LCT employees about:
  • The process by which reasonable modification may be requested and authorized;
  • The process by which a request for reasonable modification is approved or denied;
  • The process for requesting an appeal of an initial determination;
  • ADA's requirements for ridership that impact their roles while working on behalf of LCT; and
  • The consequences for failing to comply with the ADA requirements.

Statement of Policy

FTA has mandated that a public entity providing fixed route or demand response service shall respond to requests by individuals with disabilities for reasonable modification to policies and practices consistent with specific guidelines as outlined in the regulations. In addition, the public entity providing fixed routes or demand responsive service is required to make information available to the public detailing how to contact individuals of the public entity to request a reasonable modification.

In response to these guidelines, LCT, as a provider of fixed route and demand response service has established the following:

  1. This means by which passengers and the public, in general, are informed that individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable modification in order to utilize existing fixed routes or demand responsive service.
  2. Process describing how requests for reasonable accommodation are to be accepted, authorized or denied, with an option to appeal the initial determination if desired.
  3. Recertification process.
  4. Procedure for handling "ad hoc" requests.
  5. Timeline for processing.

Please note: The needs of employees with disabilities are addressed in other policies. An employee who has a medical condition that may prevent him/her from performing the essential functions of his/her position should seek assistance through Human Resources. This policy is not intended to address an employee's rights and/or responsibilities under the ADA regulations.

Requests for Reasonable Modification by Passengers

Requests for reasonable modifications of policies and practices will be considered as follows:

  • The reasonable modification policy applies to passengers with disabilities for use of LCT transit services.
  • The passenger with disabilities who desires a reasonable modification will be required to describe what he/she believes is needed to use the transit service.
  • Requests for reasonable modification do not have to be written; however, it is desirable that whenever possible, requests for reasonable modification will be made in advance.
  • The passenger does not need to use the term "reasonable modification."

Requests for reasonable modifications of policies and practices can be denied due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the transportation services, program or activities;
  • Granting the request would create a direct threat to the health or safety;
  • Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability is able to fully use the services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose;
  • The request creates an undue financial and administrative burden.

Process for Submitting a Request

Whenever possible, the individual who desires to request a reasonable modification should make the request in advance and allow LCT an opportunity to determine whether the request will be granted.

Requests may be initiated by one of the following methods:

  • Contact LCT's Customer Service at 440-329-5525
  • Submit a request in writing to:
    Lorain County Transit
    226 Middle Avenue
    Elyria OH 44035
  • Email us

The Chief Finance Officer or his/her designee will be assigned as the reasonable modification reviewer. Initial requests for reasonable modification will be addressed within 10 business days.

When requests for reasonable modification cannot be practicably made and determined in advance, a Dispatcher will make a timely determination so long as such actions do not result in a direct threat or fundamental alteration of services. The Dispatcher will immediately provide a written report to the General Manager. Such determinations are made on a non-precedent setting basis based upon the facts and circumstances unique to that request.

If the passenger disagrees with the initial determination, an appeal may be filed. A request for appeal form is available at ADA Reasonable Modification Appeal Form. The form includes the procedure by which LCT processes and responds to appeal.

ADA Paratransit Visitor Policy

Consistent with federal regulation 49 C.F.R. Section 37.127 and Section 37.125, Lorain County Transit ("LCT") will provide service to eligible visitors from outside LCT's ADA Paratransit service area for a period of 21-days during any 12-month period. The 21-days can be used as single days or can be consecutive days.

Visitors to the area serviced by LCT who wish to use the ADA service may:

  • Call: 440-329-5525
  • Email us
  • Fax: 440-329-5459
  • Write: Lorain County Transit, ADA Coordinator, 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria, OH 44035

LCT requests from the visitor documentation showing that he/she has ADA Paratransit eligibility with a home agency, such as a certification letter or an identification card. For any visitor who does not have eligibility with a home agency, or resides in an area without ADA Paratransit services (e.g., international visitors), the ADA Coordinator may request additional documentation of his/her disability such as a letter from a medical professional, and SSDI letter or a state-issued accessible parking permit. Upon receipt of required documentation, LCT will provide approval within one business day.