PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the minimum standards to be met by a transportation service provider receiving state or federal funds for the operation of transportation services for persons aged sixty and over and handicapped adults aged eighteen through fiftynine and applies to all transportation service delivery systems, both direct and indirect.

Editor’s Note: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of this rule in its entirety would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. The entire text of the rule has been filed with the secretary of state. The entire text of the rule may be found at the headquarters of the agency and is available to any interested person at a cost not more than that established by state law.

1. (1) A unit of transportation service is one (1) trip, one (1) way, per individual service recipient.

2. (2) The transportation service provider shall meet the following requirements:

   1. (A) Have sufficient phones and personnel to efficiently handle calls regarding the service;
   2. (B) Develop and operate an efficient system for scheduling trips to assure that the service is dependable and no passenger is left stranded;
   3. (C) Position vehicles so that mileage accumulated and time in operation without passengers is minimized;
   4. (D) Coordinate with other service providers within the planning and service area for the purpose of delivering the most efficient, cost-effective service;
   5. (E) Make no interruption or alteration of more than fourteen (14) calendar days’ duration in administration, policy, frequency of service or types of service as agreed upon between the area agency and the transportation service provider; and
   6. (F) Have a program manual available to all employees and volunteers detailing its opera- 13 CSR 15-7

tional policies, procedures and general requirements applicable to service provision.

1. (3) Individual personnel files shall be maintained for each driver who is employed fullor part-time on a salary, hourly or commission basis and for each volunteer or partially paid volunteer, who is scheduled to contribute or actually does contribute, more than twenty (20) hours within any five (5) consecutive days or forty (40) hours within a calendar month. The individual personnel file shall contain:

   1. (A) The driver’s health record. Documentation, signed by the driver, that no physical or health limitation exists that prevents competent operation of the motor vehicle or ability to assist any service recipient in and out of the vehicle who requires or requests it;
   2. (B) The driver’s driving record showing that the driver has had no driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance conviction within three (3) years prior to driving for the transportation service provider and that the driver has not had driver/chauffeur’s license revoked within three

2. (3) years prior to driving for the provider;

   1. (C) A copy of the driver’s valid and current chauffeur’s license; and
   2. (D) Documentation of the driver’s participation in orientation and in-service training.

3. (4) Orientation and In-Service Training.

   1. (A) Prior to actual transport of service recipients, each driver who is employed fullor part-time on a salary, hourly or commission basis and each volunteer or partially paid volunteer who is scheduled to contribute or actually does contribute more than twenty

4. (20) hours within any five (5) consecutive days or forty (40) hours within a calendar month shall have completed the transportation service providers orientation training. Any volunteer who even occasionally transports (except those utilized in an emergency) shall have received at least a brief orientation on how to handle emergencies and shall be given written instructions on how to handle a problem situation.

   1. (B) Orientation shall include the following:

      1. 1. Transportation service provider poli-

cies and procedures;

1. 2. Characteristics of the aging process

and major disabling conditions;

1. 3. Use of common assistive devices by

elderly and handicapped persons;

1. 4. Methods of handling wheelchairs;
2. 5. Methods of moving, lifting and trans-

ferring handicapped passengers;

1. 6. Operation of lifts, ramps and

wheelchair securement devices if the vehicle to be operated is equipped with them;

1. 7. Use of a fire extinguisher;
2. 8. Methods of keeping accurate and

accountable records or reports, or both;

1. 9. Written instructions on proper actions

to be taken in problem situations (for example, emergency situations, passenger problems and vehicle breakdowns); and

1. 10. Successful completion of an in-ser-

vice training course in first aid or emergency care that included at least:

1. A. Basic first aid;
2. B. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
3. C. Heimlich maneuver; and
4. D. Guidelines on when to attempt

first aid or when to take alternative action.

1. (C) The transportation service provider should require drivers to participate in a defensive driving training program.
2. (D) Other personnel, such as schedulers and dispatchers, should receive training appropriate to their job functions.

1. (5) Fiscal and Program Records.

   1. (A) Fiscal and program records shall be submitted to the contracting agency on a timely and proper basis.
   2. (B) The service provider shall maintain time records that document the number of hours worked per week for each employee and volunteer.
   3. (C) Service recipients’ signatures shall be obtained as documentation of the recipients’ use of the service provider’s transportation system.
   4. (D) The transportation service provider shall have a method, approved by the contracting agency, for documenting units of service delivered and obtaining an unduplicated count of individual service recipients.

2. (6) Individual vehicle files for each providerowned or leased vehicle shall be kept by the provider that contain the following documentation:

   1. (A) Vehicle ownership or lease agreement;
   2. (B) Current vehicle license;
   3. (C) Current vehicle annual safety inspection;
   4. (D) Vehicle maintenance schedule including the date of each service, repair and replacement; and
   5. (E) That transportation service providerowned or leased vehicle is properly insured.
3. (7) Each driver, volunteer or partially paid volunteer using personally-owned vehicles to transport service recipients shall maintain proper vehicle insurance and shall sign an agreement indicating understanding and acceptance of liability.

4. (8) Vehicles shall meet the following requirements:

   1. (A) All vehicles shall be legally licensed;
   2. (B) All vehicles shall receive an annual safety inspection, shall be clean and in good repair and shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule or an approved schedule based on actual vehicle operating conditions;

   3. (C) Vehicles with a passenger capacity greater than seven (7) shall carry the following safety equipment:

      1. 1. Extra electrical fuses;
      2. 2. Fire extinguisher, two and one-half

pounds (2 1/2 lbs.), BC type;

1. 3. Three (3) reflective orange triangles

or similar emergency warning devices;

1. 4. Spare tire and jack;
2. 5. Flashlight;
3. 6. Ice scraper; and
4. 7. Emergency first-aid kit;
5. (D) Vehicles with a passenger capacity of seven (7) or less shall carry a spare tire and a jack unless they are radio-equipped and able to summon assistance. They should also carry the items listed in subsection (7)(C);
6. (E) All vehicles shall be properly equipped with radial tires, snow tires, all-weather tires or chains during icy and snowy weather;
7. (F) All vehicles shall have for each passenger an available seat that is securely fastened to the floor of the vehicle. Cars and vans shall have a useable seat belt for each person being transported;
8. (G) Vehicles shall not exceed the stated gross vehicle weight rating;
9. (H) Protected overnight housing of vehicles should be considered by the transportation provider as part of their maintenance program;
10. (I) All vans and buses shall have accessible emergency exit(s) with appropriate emergency procedures posted in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217; and
11. (J) All vans and buses shall have a stationary or removable step to aid entry and exit of the vehicle. This step shall be capable of safely supporting three hundred pounds (300 lbs.); shall be placed that it is no more than twelve inches (12") above ground level; and shall have a nonskid top surface no less than eight inches by twelve inches (8"×2"). Removable steps shall be properly secured while the vehicle is in motion.

1. (9) Vehicle requirements transporting an individual remaining in a wheelchair are as follows:

   1. (A) Wheelchair safety locks shall be available and used when a wheelchair is in use during transport if a vehicle is rampequipped;
   2. (B) All wheelchair lifts used on vehicles shall be certified as being capable of regularly servicing a minimum capacity of six hundred pounds (600 lbs.); and
   3. (C) All wheelchair ramps used on vehicles shall be certified as being capable of regularly servicing a minimum capacity of four hundred pounds (400 lbs.).

2. (10) Drivers shall observe the following sty precautions:

   1. (A) Assure that all passengers are seated before vehicle is put into motion;
   2. (B) Encourage passengers to use seat belts;
   3. (C) Not allow firearms, alcoholic beverages in opened containers, unauthorized controlled substances or highly combustible materials to be transported in vehicle;
   4. (D) Allow guide dogs in the vehicle, as needed; however, other animals shall not be allowed;
   5. (E) Assure that all packages are safely stored before putting the vehicle in motion;
   6. (F) Assist each passenger to enter and exit the vehicle;
   7. (G) Provide documentation that a designated escort is available persons needing mobility assistance;
   8. (H) Use an escort to assist wheelchairbound persons over barriers or up and down more than one (1) step;
   9. (I) Assure that passengers enter and exit the vehicle in unobstructed and safe locations;
   10. (J) Observe all posted speed limits and modify driving according to weather hazards;
   11. (K) Not use alcohol prior to or while driving; and
   12. (L) Not use any prescribed or patent medication that may impair driving ability prior or while driving.

3. (11) Drivers are authorized to deny transportation to a service recipient attempting board the vehicle who, in the judgement of the driver—

   1. (A) Is intoxicated;
   2. (B) Is too ill or handicapped to be transported safely;
   3. (C) Demonstrates violent or unruly behavior; or
   4. (D) Insists on transporting prohibited items.
4. (12) Drivers shall report incidents of denial of transportation to the transportation service provider. Written documentation of incident shall be maintained.
5. (13) Without writ approval of the contracting agency, the transportation service provider shall not suspend service to a passenger for more than five (5) consecutive days due to problems with the service recipient or because an escort is not available.

6. (14) The transportation service provider shall submit to the contracting agency a written request suspend service indefinitely to any service recipient who, in the provider’s judgement, exhibits behavior—

   1. (A) That is contrary to these standards; or
   2. (B) Which has been and continues to be hazardous to the safety of self or others.

AUTHORITY: section 660.050, RSMo 1994.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 15- 6.165. Original rule filed Jan. 6, 1986, effective April 30, 1986. *Original authority 1984, amended 1988, 1992, 1993.