---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 12141"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "12141"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/12141"
units:
  - "Chapter 126 — Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities"
  - "Subchapter II — Public Services"
  - "Part B — Actions Applicable to Public Transportation Provided by Public Entities Considered Discriminatory"
  - "Subpart i — public transportation other than by aircraft or certain rail operations"
---

# §12141. Definitions


As used in this subpart:

- (1) **Demand responsive system—** The term “demand responsive system” means any system of providing [designated public transportation](#2) which is not a [fixed route system](#3).
- (2) **Designated public transportation—** The term “designated public transportation” means transportation (other than [public school transportation](#5)) by bus, rail, or any other conveyance (other than transportation by aircraft or intercity or commuter rail transportation (as defined in [section 12161 of this title](/usc/42/12161.md))) that provides the general public with general or special service (including charter service) on a regular and continuing basis.
- (3) **Fixed route system—** The term “fixed route system” means a system of providing [designated public transportation](#2) on which a vehicle is operated along a prescribed route according to a fixed schedule.
- (4) **Operates—** The term “operates”, as used with respect to a [fixed route system](#3) or [demand responsive system](#1), includes operation of such system by a [person](/usc/42/12111.md?p=7) under a contractual or other arrangement or relationship with a public entity.
- (5) **Public school transportation—** The term “public school transportation” means transportation by schoolbus vehicles of schoolchildren, personnel, and equipment to and from a public elementary or secondary school and school-related activities.
- (6) **Secretary—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–336, title II, § 221, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 338.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 101–336, title II, § 231, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 346, provided that: General Rule.—Except as provided in subsection (b), this part [part I (§§ 221–231) of subtitle B of title II of Pub. L. 101–336, enacting this subpart] shall become effective 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [July 26, 1990]. Exception.—Sections 222, 223 (other than subsection (a)), 224, 225, 227(b), 228(b), and 229 [sections 12142, 12143(b) to (f), 12144, 12145, 12147(b), 12148(b), and 12149 of this title] shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act.”