Purpose
The Pony Express™ motorized electric cart is a shared facility resource used to transport drinks, snacks, and supplies across Acquisition.com's office and Annex locations. This SOP establishes clear expectations for how the cart is stored, accessed, operated, and returned to ensure the safety of all team members, guests, and the equipment itself.
This policy applies to all employees. Because the cart operates in shared spaces alongside coworkers and guests, safety is the top priority at every step. No time pressure or convenience justifies skipping any rule in this document.
By following this SOP, team members protect themselves, their colleagues, and the longevity of the equipment — upholding Acquisition.com's commitment to excellence in every operation, both visible and behind the scenes.
Certification Requirement
Access to the Pony Express™ cart is a privilege, not a right. No employee — regardless of role or seniority — may operate the cart without first completing all three steps below.
Read through all eight training modules covering safety rules, controls, operation, braking, charging, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Complete the 16-question operator quiz. A score of 80% or higher is required to proceed. The quiz is available through the same training link above.
Demonstrate safe operation of the cart in person with the Office Manager or Facilities Manager present. This includes proper startup, loading, navigation, elevator procedure, and return staging. Certification is not granted until this step is completed and signed off.
Storage & Key Access
When not in use, the cart must always be staged in its designated home position.
Requirements
✓
Stage the cart in the drink and snack area in the basement.✓
Position the cart so the handle and controls face the back wall.✓
Plug the cart into the extension cord located in that area to charge after every use. The cart cannot be overcharged.✗
Never leave the cart staged in a hallway, doorway, elevator lobby, or anywhere that obstructs foot traffic.
The key is the primary safety barrier that prevents unauthorized use. Securing it is one of the most important steps in this SOP.
Requirements
✓
Store the key on the back end of the racks on the right side of the drink and snack area whenever the cart is not in active use.✓
Remove the key from the cart and return it to this exact location after every use — no exceptions.✗
Never leave the key in the cart unattended.✗
Never hand the key to anyone who has not completed the full certification process.
⚠️ Leaving the key in an unattended cart — even briefly — allows any uncertified person to operate it. This is a serious safety violation and will result in immediate review of cart access privileges.
Operation Standards
Complete the following steps in order before every use of the cart.
Steps
1
Unplug the cart from the extension cord before powering on.2
Visually inspect the cart for broken wheels, bent casters, or damage. Do not use if damaged — notify the Office or Facilities Manager.3
Check the battery gauge. Red only = do not use; charge first. All three indicators lit = ready.4
Retrieve the key from its designated location, insert it, and turn clockwise to power ON.5
Set the speed rocker to Turtle (slow) mode. This is the required default for all indoor operation.6
Turn the key switch OFF before loading any items onto the cart.
⚡ Wait at least 1 minute after powering on before trusting the battery gauge — it needs time to stabilize.
When moving the cart through indoor spaces, the operator's first responsibility is ensuring no person is injured. You must make yourself visible and predictable at all times.
What to Do
✓
Use door stops whenever possible when traveling through hallways or doorways. This keeps the cart behind you so you pass through first.✓
Always position yourself so you are the first to be seen when approaching any office door, hallway, or corner — never lead with the cart into a blind space.✓
Announce your presence verbally ("Cart coming through!") at every corner, hallway entry, or area with limited sightlines.✓
Stay in Turtle (slow) mode at all times indoors.✓
Load items evenly and never exceed the cart's weight capacity (1,000–1,500 lbs depending on model).✗
Never use Rabbit (fast) mode indoors, near people, or in any confined space.✗
Never operate on inclines greater than 6° or travel sideways across any incline.✗
Never use the cart to push or pull other carts or objects.✗
Never operate in wet environments or near high temperatures.
⚠️ If an injury occurs: call 911 immediately. The AED is on the 1st floor between the stairs and reception desk. Notify Sarah O'Brien & Robert Westfall as soon as possible.
Elevator boarding requires the cart to be fully staged and ready before the doors open. Scrambling to position the cart after the doors open risks damage to the elevator doors and injury to others.
Steps
1
Stage the cart first. Have the cart loaded, positioned, and ready to board before pressing the elevator call button.2
Press the call button only after the cart is fully staged.3
When the doors open, pull the cart onto the elevator. Pulling is the standard direction for boarding.4
Once inside, push the cart forward to fully clear the doors before pressing your floor button.5
Press your floor button and stand clear while the doors close.6
When exiting, confirm the hallway is clear before rolling the cart out.
💡 Think of it as a two-step: pull to get on, push to settle in. Staging before the doors open is the most important part of this procedure.
When transporting the cart to the Annex building, entry route matters. The building's terrain presents specific challenges that operators must know before arriving.
Best Practice
✓
Enter Annex via the front doors, using the ADA-compliant sidewalk easement to reach the entrance level. This is the safest and most reliable route.✓
Use the ADA ramp to reach the entrance, then proceed through the front doors.
North Side Ramp — Important Caution
!
The North side ramp is steep and presents significant traction challenges. Because the Pony Express™ has its main drive wheels centered on the cart, uphill traction on this ramp is unreliable and the cart may slip or stall under load.✗
Avoid the North side ramp as your primary entry point. If it must be used, exercise extreme caution, travel slowly, and do not attempt it with a heavy load.✗
Never travel sideways across any ramp or incline.
🏗️ When in doubt about a surface or ramp, take the longer safe route. A few extra seconds is always worth it.
Post-Operation & Return
Every operator is responsible for returning the cart properly at the end of every use. The cart must always be left in a state that is ready, charged, and secure for the next certified operator.
1
Turn the key switch OFF before unloading any items from the cart.2
Unload the cart completely. Never leave items on the cart when stored.3
Return the cart to the basement drink and snack area, handle and controls facing the back wall.4
Plug the cart into the extension cord to begin charging.5
Remove the key and return it to its designated location: back end of the racks on the right side.6
Report any new damage, unusual sounds, or performance issues to the Office or Facilities Manager immediately.
💡 Leave the cart better than you found it. A clean, charged, properly staged cart is ready for the next certified operator.
Acknowledgment
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with all policies stated in this Standard Operating Procedure. I understand that access to the Pony Express™ cart requires completing the full certification process — training program, operator quiz (80% minimum), and a supervised field test — and that failure to follow this SOP may result in the immediate revocation of my cart access privileges.