Please follow these rules when riding Dutchess County Public Transit buses to ensure a safe and efficient ride.
Regulation 49 CFR Section 37.167(d) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires transit agencies to allow service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. 49 CFR Section 37.3 defines Service Animals as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
It is The Department of Public Works Public Transit Division policy that all Service Animals will be allowed to ride in Public Transit vehicles and be allowed entrance into Public Transit facilities.
At no time will pets, emotional support animals or comfort animals be allowed to travel on Dutchess County Public Transit vehicles or inside Public Transit facilities. These animals do not fall under the regulatory training-based definition of a Service Animal.