Customer Conduct Policy

Supported by California State laws and regulations, this Code of Conduct policy expects you to treat others as you would like to be treated and show respect for the coach operator, your fellow passengers, the transit vehicles and facilities.

An OCTA coach operator’s primary job is to operate the bus safely. If problems arise on the bus, their first priority is to determine if a passenger’s safety or security is at stake. The coach operator will assess the severity of the problem and respond accordingly.  Depending on the severity of the situation, the coach operator, at his/her discretion, may choose to talk to the passenger, call for assistance, or take no immediate action. The role of the coach operator is that of a peacekeeper, and will inform not enforce policy.

Disruptive, violent or illegal conduct will not be tolerated. No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct on, at, or in the facilities of OCTA including buses, trains, buildings, shelters, or bus stops.

Inappropriate conduct includes any individual or group activity which is: disruptive or injurious to other individuals lawfully using OCTA facilities or services; damaging or destructive to transit facilities or service; or disruptive, harassing, threatening or injurious to transit employees.

Inappropriate conduct may also constitute a violation of an ordinance or state law. Individuals who engage in inappropriate conduct or violate an ordinance or state law may be told to leave the bus immediately.

Violent, illegal or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated on board the vehicle. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in accordance with

• • Penal Code Sections including but not limited to 171.7, 594, 640, 640.5 and 16590

  • Public Utilities Code Sections including but not limited to 99170

The following conduct is prohibited:

• • Refusing to vacate designated seats and wheelchair areas for senior citizens and people with disabilities when requested on their behalf

  • Eating or drinking except when beverages are in a closed container. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

  • Using an audio device unless such equipment is used with earphones

  • Standing in front of the standee line

  • Bringing any animal on buses un-caged, except working animals that assist those with disabilities. Caged animals must sit on customer’s lap. See ADA regulations for additional information on traveling with a service animal.

  • Bringing on-board any large articles, packages, baggage, strollers, carts which block the aisle and restrict the free movement of passengers.

  • Changing a child’s diaper

  • Exhibiting inappropriate personal hygiene, so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other passengers

  • Otherwise disorderly or inappropriate conduct which is inconsistent with the safe and orderly use of transit facilities for their intended purpose

The following conduct is unlawful under Public Utilities Code Section 99170:

• • Operating, interfering with, entering into, or climbing on or in, the property, facilities, or vehicles owned or operated by OCTA without the permission or approval of OCTA

  • Interfering with the coach operator or operation of an OCTA vehicle, or impeding the safe boarding or alighting of passengers

  • Extending any portion of the body through a window opening of an OCTA vehicle in a manner that may cause harm or injury

  • Throwing an object from an OCTA vehicle

  • Committing an act or engaging in a behavior that may, with reasonable foreseeability, cause harm or injury to any person or property

  • Violating a notice, prohibition, instruction, or direction on a sign that is intended to provide for the safety and security of transit passengers, or the safe and secure operation of the transit system.

  • Knowingly giving false information to an OCTA employee, or contracted security officer, engaged in the enforcement of an ordinance or a state law, or otherwise obstructing the issuance of a citation for the violation of an ordinance or a state law

  • Violating any of the conditions established by an OCTA ordinance under which a passenger may board an OCTA vehicle with a bicycle and where that bicycle may be stowed on the vehicle

A first violation any of the provisions of Public Utilities Code Section 99170 is an infraction, punishable by a fine up to seventy five dollars ($75).  A violation after a second conviction is punishable by a fine up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or by community service that does not conflict with the violator’s hours of school attendance or employment for a total time not to exceed 48 hours over a period not to exceed 60 days.

Public Utilities Code Section 99170 does not prohibit a person from engaging in activities that are protected under the laws of the United States or of this State, including, but not limited to, picketing, demonstrating, or distributing handbills.


The following conduct is unlawful under Penal Code Section 640:

• • Eating or drinking in or on an OCTA facility or vehicle in areas where those activities are prohibited by OCTA

  • Disturbing another person by loud or unreasonable noise

  • Smoking in or on an OCTA facility or vehicle in areas where those activities are prohibited by OCTA

  • Expectorating upon an OCTA facility or vehicle

  • Skateboarding, roller skating, bicycle riding, roller blading, or operating a motorized scooter or similar device, as defined in Section 407.5 of the Vehicle Code in an OCTA facility, vehicle, or parking structure. However, this does not apply to an activity that is necessary for utilization of the transit facility by a bicyclist, including, but not limited to, an activity that is necessary for parking a bicycle or transporting a bicycle aboard a transit vehicle, if that activity is conducted with the permission of OCTA in a manner that does not interfere with the safety of the bicyclist or other patrons of the transit facility.

  • Sale or peddling of any goods, merchandise, property, or services of any kind whatsoever on OCTA facilities, vehicles, or property, unless OCTA or its duly authorized representatives have granted written consent to engage in those acts

  • Evasion of the payment of a fare of the system

  • Misuse of a transfer, pass, ticket, or token with the intent to evade the payment of a fare

  • Unauthorized use of a discount ticket or failure to present, upon request from an OCTA representative, acceptable proof of eligibility to use a discount ticket, in accordance with Section 99155 of the Public Utilities Code and posted system identification policies when entering or exiting an OCTA station or vehicle. Acceptable proof of eligibility must be clearly defined in the posting. In the event that an eligible discount ticket user is not in possession of acceptable proof at the time of request, any citation issued shall be held for a period of 72 hours to allow the user to produce acceptable proof. If the proof is provided, the citation shall be voided. If the proof is not produced within that time period, the citation shall be processed.

  • Willfully disturbing others on or in an OCTA facility or vehicle by engaging in boisterous or unruly behavior

  • Carrying an explosive, acid, or flammable liquid in an OCTA facility or vehicle

  • Urinating or defecating in an OCTA facility or vehicle, except in a lavatory. However, this paragraph shall not apply to a person who cannot comply with this paragraph as a result of a disability, age, or a medical condition.

  • Willfully blocking the free movement of another person in an OCTA facility or vehicle.  This paragraph shall not be interpreted to affect any lawful activities permitted or First Amendment rights protected under the laws of this state or applicable federal law, including, but not limited to, laws related to collective bargaining, labor relations, or labor disputes.

  • Willfully tampering with, removing, displacing, injuring, or destroying any part of an OCTA facility or vehicle

Violations will be punished pursuant to Penal Code Section 640.


The following conduct is unlawful under Penal Code Section 640.5:

• • Defacing with graffiti or other inscribed material on the interior or exterior of an OCTA facility or vehicle, or any facilities or vehicles that are leased or rented by OCTA for which OCTA incurs a cost of less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for cleanup, repair, or replacement.

Violations will be punished pursuant to Penal Code Section 640.5.


The following conduct is unlawful under Penal Code Section 594:

Every person who maliciously commits any of the following acts with respect to any real or personal property not his or her own, in cases other than those specified by state law, is guilty of vandalism:

• • Defaces with graffiti or other inscribed material

  • Damages

  • Destroys

Whenever a person violates this subdivision with respect to real property, vehicles, signs, fixtures, furnishings, or property belonging to OCTA, it shall be a permissive inference that the person neither owned the property nor had the permission of the owner to deface, damage, or destroy the property.

Violations will be punished pursuant to Penal Code Section 594.


Any individual observed engaging in these inappropriate conduct may be told to leave the bus immediately and may be subject to arrest.

• • Fighting

  • Possessing items in violation of Penal Code Section 171.7

  • Bringing generally prohibited weapons, as defined in Penal Code Section 16590, on-board OCTA buses

  • Assault or threat of assault

  • Indecent exposure

Security Tip

When you board an OCTA bus, you’re more protected than you think. Between a video surveillance system and quick access to law enforcement, help can arrive within a matter of minutes. But we also need your assistance. What you see could help save lives. So if you see anything suspicious, please contact your driver immediately or call 911.


Suspicious Packages

Most unattended items may simply be lost or left behind. However, look for the following characteristics and report suspicious items to transit officials or the police:

• • Placement in an out-of-the-way location

  • Attached batteries, wires, tanks, bottles or bags that might contain chemicals or explosives

  • An attached message

  • A suspicious cloud, mist, gas, vapor, odor or seeping fluid

  • Nearby individuals showing signs of illness or distress

Suspicious Activity
people who are:

• • In an unauthorized or restricted area

  • Loitering, staring or watching employees and passengers

  • Pacing, nervous or jumpy

  • Abandoning items and quickly departing

  • Acting in a disorderly manner or disturbing others

  • Photographing equipment or secure areas

  • Carrying a weapon or appearing to have a weapon

  • Wearing clothing that is extremely inappropriate for the weather, such as a heavy coat on a hot day

Key numbers for security concerns

Emergencies – Police Department: 911
Non-emergencies – Sherriff’s Dispatch – (714) 647-7000
Graffiti tip line: (877) 99 - NO TAG / (877) 996-6824