The current version of the passenger handbook can be found here Passenger Guide.  Below is an abbreviated version.

Person Area Transportation System (PATS) is a shared-use public transportation service that operates as a branch of the Person County Government. PATS provides transportation for many human services agencies, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the general public to anywhere in Person County for a fee.

PATS provides shared use demand, subscription, contract, deviated fixed, and out-of-county medical appointment transportation services.

Fare/Payment

Passengers must pay the driver the EXACT fare amount, as drivers do not carry change. Passengers must pay for their ride at the time of service, NO EXCEPTIONS! Passengers must pay for their ride with cash, check, or prepaid tickets. Make checks payable to Person Area Transportation System or PATS.

Scheduling a Ride

All transportation requests must be made by 11:00 am on the business day before the scheduled appointment. Please refer to the Holiday Schedule for deadlines around observed holidays. Exceptions to this rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the Director's discretion.

Please provide the following information to the staff member:

Name (First & Last), Phone Number, Date of travel(s), Appointment times(s) & pick-up times, exact address of origin and destination, notice of personal care attendant or companion, and if you have a need for additional assistance

WILL-CALLS: All will-calls (call when ready) must be called in no later than 4:45 pm to ensure pick-up, as our offices close at 5:00 pm. Passengers are encouraged to call as early as possible to ensure that will-calls closer to 5:00 pm are accommodated. Passengers who know they won't be ready until after 5:00 pm MUST call the officer before this time to ensure staff schedules your pick-up and notifies the driver. PATS has limited vehicles in service after 5:00 pm, so it is highly recommended that you advise staff as early as possible to ensure you can be picked up.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PATS is a public transportation shared-ride service, meaning we make every effort to group passengers to be more efficient and meet the needs of all riders. It is important that, if you need to be somewhere at a specific time (for an appointment or work), you tell us the time you need to be there, rather than the time you want to be picked up. If you don't have to be somewhere at a specific time, you can request a pick-up time. Since we cover the entire county, passengers might not be picked up at the exact time they requested. We make every effort to pickup passengers close to their requested time.

MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS,

For Medicaid Transportation Request please call Social Services at 336-599-8361 ext. 3.

No Show Policy

Drivers will wait up to a maximum of five (5) minutes for a response, and if there is no response, they will leave and continue their route. If you are a no-show, you will be required to pay a no-show fee. Payment for the no-show must occur before your next ride or at the time of your next ride (if approved). 

No Show Definition:

• A passenger who fails to show up for their scheduled transit reservation
• A passenger who fails to be ready to board the vehicle within the 5-minute wait time
• A passenger who fails to cancel their scheduled transit reservation within 1 hour of the pick-up time
• If the driver shows up at your door and you cancel at the door and do not ride

Cancellation

Passengers are expected to call at least 1 hour prior to their scheduled pick-up time to cancel their ride. Failure to do so will result in a no-show fee. Cancellations may be left on our voicemail as the date and time of the call is recorded.

Passenger Responsibilities

• Pay for your ride at the time of service
• Wear your seat belt
• Passengers under the age of 8 years old AND who weigh less than 80 pounds must be in an approved child restraint seat provided by the adult passenger
• Passenger 16 years or older may ride alone
• Passengers 18 years and older may supervise a child(ren) riding the vehicle

Conduct

• Physical conduct is not permitted.
• Use of or possession of illegal drugs and/or alcohol is not permitted on any PATS vehicles. PATS has the authority to deny service to any person thought to be under the influence.
• Weapons are not permitted
• Smoking and Vaping are not permitted
• Eating and open drinking containers are not permitted. Closed drinking containers are permitted.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices

• Wheelchairs may not exceed 30 inches wide and 48 inches in length. The weight must not exceed 800 pounds when occupied.

Inclement Weather

PATS normally follows the Person County Government during times of inclement weather. The Director may suspend operations even if the County Government opens. If operations are suspended, our voicemail will be updated to reflect the closing. The local radio station and social media will be updated. If operations are suspended midday, all passengers will be given the option to be picked up; otherwise, it will be their responsibility to find their own ride home. Riders can learn more about inclement weather closings by calling our office at 336-597-1771 and selecting option #3 when the automated message begins.

Lost & Found

Items will be turned into staff and held for 30 days. After 30 days, they will be discarded.

Passenger Comment/Complaint Procedure

Call our office at 336-597-1771 and press option #4 when the automated message begins or email mfleig@personcountync.gov.

Reasonable Modification Requests

Please refer to the Title VI/ADA section for more information.

Appeal Process

If you have been suspended or revoked from transportation services, you may appeal the decision in writing, along with supporting documentation, to the Director.