MS 450: Volunteer and Trainee Transportation

Table of Contents

1.0              Authority

2.0              Purpose

3.0              Policies

4.0              Procedures

5.0              Effective Date

1.0  Authority

2.0  Purpose

3.0  Policies

3.1  Transportation policies apply to the safety and security of modes of travel, travel times, and travel conditions.  See IPS 5-05 for policies on travel destinations.  (To be codified in MS 220.) 

3.2  Due to the substantial safety and security risks that are posed to V/Ts during overland and sea travel, Peace Corps posts are required to have a written post-specific transportation policy for the V/Ts. The Country Director, in consultation with post staff, the appropriate Regional Director, and the Peace Corps Safety and Security Officer (PCSSO), is responsible for establishing the policy and communicating the policy to V/Ts. 

 

3.3  Posts should adopt a transportation policy that promotes use of the most reliable and safe transportation modes and the best travel times and conditions.  

 

3.4  V/Ts must adhere to their local post transportation policies in their country of service.  Volunteers on official travel or personal leave to another post outside of their country of service must also adhere to that post's transportation policies.   

Failure of a V/T to comply with post transportation policies may be grounds for administrative separation. 

4.0  Procedures

4.1  When developing the post transportation policy, the Country Director shall consider the following:     

(a)  Where multiple options exist, using the safest transportation option that is within the Volunteer/Trainee living allowance;

 

(b)  Limiting Volunteer/Trainee travel to daylight hours only;

 

(c)  Identifying transportation modes that should be placed off-limits due to the inherent risk of traveling via such modes;

 

(d)  Requiring safety equipment not already required by a Peace Corps policy, that must be used when traveling, such as seat belts where available and personal flotation devices;

 

(e)  Providing specific guidance for V/T travel to the capital city or other urban areas that may require additional precautions such as the use of official taxis or other safer modes; and

 

(f)  Reviewing the post out-of-site policy to ensure that it is consistent with the Volunteer travel policy. 

In addition, the policy must:

(a)  Delineate any areas of the country that are restricted for travel (see IPS 5-05); and

 

(b) Identify a responsible individual (the Safety and Security Coordinator or other staff person) to be responsible for monitoring transportation issues and providing relevant information, such as recommendations/updates on companies, carriers, and road closings/conditions.    

4.2  New or revised travel policies must have the concurrence of the applicable Regional Director. 

 

4.3  The policy must be communicated to the V/Ts and be included in the post specific Volunteer Handbook.  As part of the post specific Volunteer Handbook, the policy will be reviewed yearly as part of the MS 270 review process.

5.0  Effective Date