Transportation

Transportation

Metzenbaum Center provides transportation services to individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in Geauga County.  Gaining access to educational programs, employment opportunities and community integration activities is key to fostering a sense of well-being, independence and inclusion in the community.  We are proud of our dedicated staff who provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation to children under the age of three, through our Early Intervention program, and to more than 150 adults attending day habilitation programs, worksites and social and athletic functions.

Safety Instructions

Routes are designed using the home address

The driver will be able to provide you with approximate pick-up and drop-off times. Routes are designed using the home address.  If a pick-up or drop-off location is to be other than the home address, notify the Transportation Department as soon as possible at 440-729-9406

If the van does not arrive, call Metzenbaum at 440-729-9406  

Emergency pick-up/drop-off arrangements

Emergency arrangements must be made with the Transportation Supervisor, not staff or the driver. Alternate emergency pick-up/drop-off locations must be in the immediate proximity of the regular stop or existing route and must be prearranged with the Transportation Supervisor.

To Cancel Transportation, call 440-729-9406

There is an answering machine from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Going home early due to illness or other reasons

Drivers will view going home before the end of the program day the same as if you called your family member in absent that day.  The driver will not pick-up your family member again until you call back to make the arrangements.

When a client is picked-up from programming for any reason, and your family member will not go home on the van, please notify the driver and the individual’s program contact person in writing.

Reporting Absences

When you know that your family member will not be coming in to the program, you are asked to call the Metzenbaum Center Administration office  at 440-729-9406 to report the absence to the Transportation Department.  Please be advised that you still must call the individual program to report the absence. 

Advise the dispatcher of the number of days the absence will last, you must call again to reschedule/restart transportation Services

Vans may pull into drives (provided there is room to turn around) for non-ambulatory students

Others will meet the van at the curb.

Drivers shall wait for pupils only if they are running ahead of schedule 

We ask that consumers are at the stop and ready to board at the time the van is due to arrive, and that someone is present to receive clients at the end of the day.  In consideration of others riding the van, please be punctual.

If no one is present to receive the consumer, the driver will proceed with the route.  Call the Administration Office/Transportation Dept. at 440-729-9406 so they can contact the van.  Arrangements will then be made for you to meet the van further on the route.  In fairness to others on the van, the driver cannot wait for you to return, nor can it return  to your home. 

Routes times may vary from day to day due to individual schedules and absenteeism

Waiting and boarding the van

Clients should be ready to board the van before it is due to arrive.

Clients should stay in a safe place (10’ – 15’ away from the stop) until the van comes to a complete stop.  Go directly to your seat and secure your seatbelt.

 There is to be no food or drink consumed on the van.  All medication should be given to the driver.

  All clients should:

o    follow directions from the driver and aid

o     remain in their seat

o    sit upright

o    refrain from touching others

o     talk quietly

o     Keep seat belts fastened

o    and follow all safety procedures for getting on and off the van. 

We thank you for your cooperation in making this a safe and pleasant ride for all.

Exiting the van

Clients should wait until the van comes to a complete stop before removing seat belts and getting out of their seats.

Clients should use handrails (where available) when walking down the stairs.

When exiting the van, clients should take care not to catch loose clothing, straps, scarves, etc. 

Clients should walk to a place of safety (10’ – 15’ away from the stop) until the van has driven away.

 Unescorted individuals may not leave the van unless we have the appropriate form on file with Transportation Department.

Please notify the driver if someone other than the designated person will be picking up a client.  Identification may be required in order to release the individual.  

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