TRAM, Transportation for Rural Areas of Madison County
256-532-3792
Courthouse 736,

See Planning and Economic Development

TRAM is a federally funded Section 5311 public transportation program that is open to the general public. TRAM requires a 24-hour notice to schedule a ride. TRAM operates on a first come, first serve basis, be sure to schedule your ride as far in advance as possible. If you have a need for multiple stops, inform the scheduler and they will explain the process. The Madison County Commission provides matching funds to assist with operating expenses. The cost to ride TRAM is $9.00 roundtrip and $7.00 one way. Persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and/or have speech disabilities and use text telephones may call 711. Special operators will translate TTY messages into speech for non-TTY users and vice versa. There is no charge for local calls.

TRAM operates from 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Friday. TRAM does not run on county holidays. Bad weather can cause the service to run behind schedule, so please allow extra time before calling the office. In cases of extremely bad weather (i.e. tornadoes, snow, and ice) service may be cancelled.

Have the following information ready when you call for a ride:

1. Name, Phone Number, Pick-up Address

2. Destination Address, Time of Appointment

3. Number of Riders

4. If you need a wheelchair lift

5. If you need assistance to board the van, carry an oxygen tank, or require the assistance of a service animal

6. If you have a health problem that could cause yourself or others harm, such as seizures

TRAM wheelchair lifts accommodate standard wheelchairs. Please make sure to inform the scheduler if you have an oversized wheelchair. We will do our best to assist passengers with oversized wheelchairs, however all wheelchairs and passengers must be properly secured on the lift and on the van. The maximum weight allowed for passenger and wheelchair is 800 lbs. TRAM allows disabled riders without wheelchairs to use the lifts to board and leave the van.

If you need help getting to and from the van, please bring an assistant. Drivers are not allowed to enter any house, apartment, or building. They can only help you on and off the van.

If you need to cancel a trip, please do so at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled pick-up time. If you do not cancel, the ride will be considered a No Show. TRAM’s No Show policy states the driver will wait 5 minutes for you. After that time, your trip will be considered a No Show and a fee of $7.00 will be charged. Accumulating 3 No Shows within a thirty day period will result in a suspension of riding privileges for 1 month. Please plan to be ready 30 minutes before your pick-up time.

Here are some general rules of conduct for TRAM passengers:

1. All passengers must buckle their seatbelt, stay seated and keep seatbelts properly secured

2. Limit talking to the driver

3. Parcels and packages must fit under seat

4. No loud or offensive language

5. No offensive gesturing or touching

6. No electronic gaming/music equipment, etc.

7. No eating or drinking

8. No misconduct or abusive conduct toward the driver or other passengers

9. No smoking

10. No strong or offensive body odors

TRAM services may be interrupted for the following purposes:

Inclement Weather

TRAM service may be cancelled due to severe weather that could result in hazardous driving conditions. Check your local news for business closings or go to the Madison CountyCommission website at www.madisoncountyal.gov If the Madison County Courthouse is closed, TRAM will not run. In the event of severe weather, every effort will be made to ensurethe safety of TRAM passengers and drivers. The guidelines for severe weather are as follows:

1. Tornado Watches or Warnings
Weather radio and news channels will be monitored when conditions warrant a tornado watch. If a tornado warning is issued, drivers will be notified and instructed to proceed to orremain in a safe place along the route and remain there until the warning has lifted.

2. Floods or Heavy Rain
If rain is so heavy that visibility is impaired, the driver should pull off the road in a safe area, such as a parking lot, until the rain has passed and visibility has improved. Speed should be reduced. TRAM vans are not to cross a flooded road. The driver should notify the Operations Coordinator if a road is impassable, and they will work together todetermine an alternate route.

3. Snow or Ice
If a winter weather event severe enough to close roads occurs overnight, the driver should contact the Operations Coordinator for instructions. TRAM will not operate if MadisonCounty Schools and/or the Madison County Courthouse are closed. If opening is delayed, passengers will be contacted to determine if they are still in need of transportationservice. The Operations Coordinator will revise routes as needed. Full-time staff will report to the courthouse when it opens, even if there are no passengers that day.

4. High Winds
If sustained winds of 25 miles per hour are predicted services may be delayed or cancelled based on a review of weather reports by the Director, Grants Manager, and/or theOperations Coordinator.

When situations arise that relate to TRAM safety, evaluation of information will be made to determine what is in the best interest of TRAM passengers. If it is determined thatservice will be interrupted, passengers will be notified prior to their regularly scheduled pick-up time. All efforts will be made to resolve the problem so that TRAM may resumeservices as quickly as possible.

Madison County Commission – TRAM operates its programs without regard to race, color and national origin.

To request or receive additional information on its discrimination obligations, including its complain procedures, please contact the person listed below:

Anne W. Burkett, Director
Madison County Commission – TRAM
100 Northside Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
Telephone: (256) 532-3792

To file a discrimination complaint, the written complaint must be filed to the address above within 5 days of the alleged discrimination. To accommodate limited Englishproficient individuals, oral complaints to be documented and/or translated may also be given at the above address. Written complaints may also be filed with the Department ofTransportation/Federal Transit Administration (FTA) no later than 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the FTA.