ADA Fares and Services
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into federal law in 1990. It guarantees equal opportunity for people with functional physical and mental disabilities in employment, public accommodations, state and local government service, telecommunications and transportation. To ensure equal access to public transportation, RTA has developed a variety
of special transportation services for those who qualify under the ADA.
ADA Service Package
RTA's ADA-related service package is composed of a number of service elements. These include: lift-equipped
fixed-route coaches, and special door to door Paratransit coach service.
Accessible Fixed-Route Service
RTA's entire fixed-route bus fleet is now totally wheelchair accessible. Customers with an RTA Disabled
ID card or Medicare card and state-issued photo ID can ride this service for only $1.00. RTA also offers Disabled ID cardholders and
Medicare cardholders an All Day Pass for only $2.50, as well as a 7-day FlexPass for $10.00, and a monthly pass for
$38.00. The application for a Disabled ID card to allow a rider to purchase these discounted fares can be
downloaded here.
ADA Complementary Paratransit Service
To supplement accessible fixed-route service, RTA offers persons with disabilities who qualify under ADA, special
Paratransit Service. RTA's Paratransit Service is provided by specially trained operators using smaller,
lift-equipped buses.
Paratransit Eligibility
Guidelines provided in the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act establish the eligibility criteria for RTA's Paratransit Service. There are three categories of
eligibility for this service. You may qualify for special RTA service under ADA if:
- You are unable, without special assistance, as the result of physical
or mental impairment, to get on, ride, or get off an accessible vehicle
in the public transit system.
- You need the assistance of a wheelchair lift or other boarding device
and are able to get on, ride, and get off an accessible vehicle, but
such a vehicle is not available on the route when you are planning to
travel.
- You have a specific impairment-related condition which prevents you
from traveling to or from a station or stop on the transit system.
Individuals who qualify for ADA Categories I and III are eligible for special door to door service. Customers are provided service from point of origination to
destination within a 5-mile radius of their home. Additional service is provided beyond 5 miles only if RTA provides standard bus and rapid transit service
during the time and in the area the trip would be taken.
Paratransit Service is available 7 days a week.
Applying for Paratransit Service
To use RTA's Paratransit Service, you must first apply for ADA certification. To request an ADA certification application, or if you need help completing the
application, call 216-566-5124. Hearing impaired persons can call 216-781-4757 (TDD). A PDF version of the application, to be printed and returned to RTA, is
available here. Please contact RTA at 216-566-5124 if, based on your individual needs, you
require the application in large print or other accessible format.
Once your application is approved, you will be notified of the category of service for which you are qualified. Finally, you will be issued a yellow ADA
Identification Card that will allow you to use the service. (Please note: Allow 48 hours from the time you receive your ADA ID Card before you attempt to schedule
your first trip.)
If the limitations of your disability do not qualify you for ADA certification, you have the option to appeal RTA's decision regarding your application. Additional
information regarding the appeal process is available by calling 216-566-5124. Hearing impaired persons can call 216-781-4757 (TDD).
How to Reserve ADA Paratransit Service
To reserve a Paratransit ride, call 216-781-1110 and select "2" after the prompt, or for the hearing impaired only, 216-781-6148 (TDD). Operators are available to
process your trip request 7 days a week from 8:30am to 4:00pm. With each call, you may schedule up to three round trips. When calling for a reservation, please have
the address of your trip's beginning point as well as the trip's start time and preferred time of arrival. (When reserving a medical appointment-related trip, be
sure to allow an additional 45 minutes for the start of your return trip.) Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance.
If you must cancel a trip reservation, you are asked to call 60 minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time. It is preferred that you give 24-hour notice of
cancellation so that other ADA eligible customers may use the available trip time for their travel needs. Customers with a history of failing to provide sufficient
notice of trip cancellation or not appearing for a trip, may have their Paratransit privileges suspended and possibly revoked. For a copy of RTA's Paratransit No
Show, Cancellation and Customer Behavior Policy, call 216-781-1110, or for the hearing impaired only, 216-781-6148 (TDD).
ADA Paratransit Fare Structure
Customers using service in ADA Categories I and III, door to door service, are charged a fare of $2.25 each way, and may also ride RTA's regular
fixed-route service at no cost. Personal Care Attendants, as defined by ADA, who need to accompany a Paratransit customer, ride free on all services.
If the limitations of your disability do not qualify you for ADA certification, you may be eligible for one of RTA's other discount fare programs for use on
RTA's regular fixed service.
