Paratransit and/or Dial-A-Ride Travel & People with Disabilities / Q & A

The following information is posted and shared from Equip for Equality website;

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law and does not require that public transportation be provided in every community where people live. However, if public bus and/or rapid rail service is provided, it must comply with ADA requirements for accessibility for people with disabilities. Providers of public fixed-route bus and/or rapid rail service must also provide ADA Paratransit service (origin-to-destination transportation for people with disabilities who cannot use the bus or rail system all or some of the time). Some public transit providers and/or villages, towns and cities provide a non-ADA paratransit-like service, sometimes called "dial-a-ride" service. Typically, this service is provided to both senior citizens and people with disabilities. However, requirements for dial-a-ride service are much more limited than for ADA Paratransit service.

Comparison of the ADA Requirements for ADA Paratransit vs. non-ADA Paratransit

Service Area

Must be the same as fixed-route bus and/or rapid rail - within 3/4 mile of a fixed bus route or in a 3/4 mile radius around each rapid rail station.
non-ADA Paratransit - No requirement - may be city limits or in a very limited area.

Response Time

Must be provided on a "next-day" basis - ADA Paratransit eligible customers should be able to call anytime during regular business hours to request a trip for anytime that service is provided for the next day. A pickup must be scheduled and provided within one hour before or after the requested pickup time.

Fares

The fare may not exceed twice the fare that would be charged to an individual paying full fare for a trip of similar length, at a similar time of day, on the fixed route or rapid rail system. Fares for companions must be the same as for the ADA Paratransit eligible individual. If a person needs a personal assistant because of a disability, the PA rides free of charge.

Trip Purpose Restrictions

No restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose are allowed.
non-ADA Paratransit - No requirement. Trip purposes or destinations may be limited.

Hours & Days of Service

ADA Paratransit service shall be available throughout the same hours and days as fixed route and/or rapid rail service.
non-ADA Paratransit - No requirement. Hours and days of service may be limited.

Limitations on Service (a.k.a. "Capacity Constraints")

The following are not allowed:
Restrictions on the number of trips;
Waiting lists for service;
Substantial numbers of significantly untimely pickups or return trips;Substantial numbers of trip denials or missed trips; and
Substantial numbers of trips with excessive trip lengths.
non-ADA Paratransit - No requirement. non-ADA Paratransit service may be limited.

Subscription Service = traveling to/from the same origin/destination several times a week (e.g. to school, work, etc.) without needing to call in every day.

Not required. If subscription service is provided for ADA Paratransit customers, it may be limited by use of waiting lists, trip purpose restrictions, etc
non-ADA Paratransit - Not required. If subscription service is provided, it may be limited by use of waiting lists, trip purpose restrictions, etc.

Who is eligible for ADA Paratransit?

For more information, read the joint publication of Equip for Equality and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund:
"ADA Paratransit Eligibility: How To Make Your Case." (Word Doc)

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Relevant Links

Federal Transit Administration (FTA): ADA Webpage

Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA)

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund : Transportation

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund : Publications

National Council on Disability

Equip for Equality : Transportation Rights Project

Ability Chicago : ADA Paratransit

If you have any questions, please feel to send an email: jimwatkins@abilitychicago.info

In the Chicago area and surrounding Counties for Paratransit and/or Dial-A-Ride Travel:

Pace Suburban Bus
or Call 1-800-606-1282 -(TTY 888-847-0093).