Washington Administrative Code
Title 480 - Utilities and Transportation Commission
Chapter 480-31 - Private, nonprofit transportation providers
Section 480-31-090 - Passenger complaints and disputes

(1) Each complaint or dispute received by a provider from a passenger must be investigated promptly as required by the particular case, and the results reported to the passenger. When the circumstances indicate the need for corrective action, such action must be taken as soon as possible.

(2) Each provider must ensure that personnel engaged in initial contact with a dissatisfied or complaining passenger will inform the passenger that if dissatisfied with the decision or explanation provided, the passenger has the right to have the problem considered and acted upon by supervisory personnel. The passenger must be provided with the name or department of such supervisory personnel and a telephone number by which they can be reached.

(3) Each provider must ensure that supervisory personnel contacted by a dissatisfied passenger will inform a still-dissatisfied passenger of the availability of the commission for further review of any complaint or dispute. The telephone number and address of the commission must also be provided.

(4) All parties to a dispute between a passenger and the provider have the right to bring before the commission an informal complaint pursuant to the provisions of WAC 480-07-910 and/or a formal complaint pursuant to the provisions of WAC 480-07-370.

(5) When a complaint is referred to a provider by the commission, the provider must, within two business days, report the results of any investigation made regarding the complaint to the commission and must keep the commission currently informed as to progress made with respect to the solution of, and final disposition of, the complaint. If warranted in a particular case, the provider may request an extension of time.

(6) Records - each provider must keep a record of all complaints concerning its service or rates. The record must show at least the name and address of the complainant, the nature and date of the complaint, action taken, and the final disposition of the complaint. Such records must be maintained in a suitable place readily available for commission review and will be provided to the commission upon request.

All written complaints made to a provider must be acknowledged within five business days. Correspondence and records of complaints must be retained by the provider for a minimum period of one year.