Customers with Disabilities

It is the policy of all Academy companies to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide accessible service to all passengers and help make your trip as pleasant as possible.

Please advise Academy at the time of booking, of any individual(s) with a disability that may require specific assistance. If for any reason notice is not provided, Academy will nevertheless make a reasonable effort to provide such service, and we will be glad to help.

Academy does not provide interline service, a trip completed partially by another bus company. All schedule service ends with the Academy destination. Should you be travelling beyond that point, please make arrangements directly with whatever provider will handle your transportation from that point.

If you know ahead of time that your trip will include scheduled stops it is always helpful to let us know before the trip so that we can best accommodate your needs. If you need any assistance during a rest stop from the bus operator (including retrieving a mobility device, operating the lift, etc.) please ask the bus operator and we will be happy to assist you.

If you are travelling on an Academy bus making a 3 hour trip or longer, that does not have any scheduled rest stops, and is equipped with a lavatory that is inaccessible to your disability, you may request an unscheduled rest stop.

Our staff is happy to assist you whenever possible if you are travelling alone. If you require special assistance of a personal nature you should consider traveling with a personal care attendant as our staff will not provide that level of assistance.

Animals

Our policies prohibit animals on board our buses; however the exception is any ADA service animal.

A “service animal” is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vi¬sion, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetch¬ing dropped items. 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.

Emotional support and comfort animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.

All service animals are the sole responsibility of the owner and must be in control with a leash, carrier, or other restraints that are appropriate. Any damage to the bus or clean up required is the responsibility of the owner of that service animal. Service animals cannot travel in the aisle or occupy a seat that may otherwise be available to other passengers. Service animals will not be transported in the luggage compartments under the bus. Academy will not transport any animal that is considered a threat to the health and/or safety of other passengers or Academy personnel.

Oxygen

Oxygen containers are a fire and explosion hazard. Personal use containers (those carried with the person either on wheels or as baggage) while in active use, are allowed on the bus. The containers are not to consume any seating otherwise available to other passengers or be kept in the aisle. Up to two spare containers per person will be transported free of charge but are to be equipped with protective cases and safety caps and securely stored in the baggage compartment. We will not carry oxygen containers without safety caps and installed or larger than 26 inches long and 4.5 inches in width.

Mobility Aids

Mobility aids for persons who require their use but are ambulatory, can load such apparatus in the baggage compartment of the bus, space providing. Such apparatus is not to be brought into the passenger area of the bus unless using a lift equipped bus with space designated for mobility aids and the person remains in the mobility aid, the exception being canes or walkers that can be folded and kept with the passenger or fit in an overhead baggage area. Maximum size/weight of any mobility aid to be stored under the bus is limited to 200 pounds and 33”x33”x48”. If you request the use of the onboard lift, we will do our best to accommodate your requests but such requests will be subject to our ability to safely deploy the lift in any given location or conditions outside the control of our operations.

Capacity

Each lift equipped bus has a maximum capacity to hold two occupied mobility aids. Some smaller model units will have a capacity of one mobility aid. The weight limit of the lift is 600 pounds including the occupant and the mobility aid. 48 inches in height and 30 inches wide is the maximum dimensions of any mobility aid to be secured with an occupant inside the passenger compartment. Mobility aids that are brought on board require some seating to be removed for proper placement and securement of the mobility aid. Should a bus already be at capacity, we will not be able to accommodate a mobility aid on that particular regular route bus.

Assistance

Academy will assist you as best as can be accommodated with your request. Please advise the driver on scheduled service operations and advise your sales agent at the time of booking your charter. We will assist you where possible but will not provide assistance of a personal nature. If you have such needs, please arrange to travel with a companion.

Baggage

Academy does not check baggage. Any baggage/personal property brought onboard or stored in the luggage compartments is transported free of charge. Academy assumes no responsibility or bailment for any luggage/ property. You are responsible to take all property with you when departing the bus at any time for any reason. No claim for lost, stolen, damaged property will be accepted for any reason by any person except where it is legally determined that such damage or loss was due solely to the gross negligence of Academy and such property loss can be reasonably evidenced and supported. Any such qualifying claim will be limited to $250 per incident as per tariff filings.

Carry-on bags are limited in size to those that easily fit in the overhead baggage compartment in the passenger area or under your seat. All other bag(s) will be stored in the luggage compartments under the bus. Bags are limited to one bag per passenger, unless storage room in/under the bus is available. Each bag stored in the luggage compartment is limited in size to 24”x36” and weighing no more than 75 pounds. Any item or luggage larger or heavier will be accommodated only where possible, based on space and ability to move/store such items. The right to accept or refuse any item is the sole discretion of Academy personnel.

Prohibited Items Onboard

Firearms, ammunition, any hazardous, caustic, radioactive, or flammable material of any kind. Any item emitting an odor, any food products, any biohazard of any kind, any knives or any kind of weapon, any illegal material or item of any kind as described by any state or federal law as such, any item of any kind that may cause damage or harm to a person or property. Academy personnel have the sole discretion to refuse any item aboard any bus/coach. If you have questions, contact Academy BEFORE you travel.

Academy retains the right to request any person bringing any luggage onto the bus to demonstrate none of the aforementioned items are contained therein. Refusal to allow/assist with inspection and/or for any other reason where any Academy personnel may suspect any potential concern that may involve illegal activity or concern for passenger safety, authorities will be notified and bus departure delayed.

Conduct

All passengers aboard our coaches are expected to act with restraint and courtesy toward other passengers and Academy personnel, especially your driver. Any misconduct that may be construed as interfering with the comfort or safety of other passengers or the driver will be grounds for removal from any coach at anytime with no ticket refund. Police will be summoned in the event of an incident where such assistance is required or may be interpreted as such by Academy personnel.

It is a federal offense under the US Patriot Act to interfere with the operation of any bus or threaten or interfere with the driver. It is Academy policy to prosecute any offense that is a threat to our passengers or employees.

Smoking/vaping, eating and drinking are prohibited onboard any coach/bus at any time.

Please refrain from using audible music players or other devices that maybe overheard by other passengers or the driver. Please use earphones where such equipment is used. If you use your cell phone, please keep the conversation short and quiet. Do not speak to our driver while the coach is under operation unless such communication is required as to your travel accommodations. As a public common carrier, you may be recorded by audio/video equipment at any time for the safety of our operations.

Child Safety Seats

Passengers are welcome to use their own child safety seats onboard our equipment. It is your responsibility to ensure that such seats are approved for use onboard buses and that you bring any and all additional equipment that may be required to properly use such seats such as safety strapping and belts. Academy does not provide strapping, belts or other child safety seat equipment. The use of such safety seats may require the purchase of a second ticket. Contact your Academy representative BEFORE travelling.

Your Rights As A Customer

Academy is dedicated to your safe and enjoyable travels with us. We will attempt to accommodate any reasonable request to assist you. That ability will be dictated by the conditions and situations that are presented at that time.

If you feel you have not be treated in a professional manner you may contact Academy at: 1-800-442-7272 or www.academybus.com

If you feel your rights under the ADA were violated, please contact Academy at: 1-800-442-7272, Ext: 2210.

Please provide as much information as possible such as your travel date, bus number, driver name, charter number or any other information that can help us identify your particular itinerary.

Contact: If you have any questions regarding these polices, you are welcome to contact us prior to traveling.