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 News & Updates | Newsroom News & Updates: Newsroom RTA news Feb. 28, 2007 Functional testing to begin for Paratransit applicants CLEVELAND -- Trustees of the Greater Cleveland
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) have approved a resolution to proceed with
functional testing for Paratransit applicants. Testing by NovaCare Rehabilitation of Ohio
is expected to start by mid-May. “This is great news for disabled persons
throughout Cuyahoga County, “says Joe Calabrese, RTA’s CEO and General Manager.
“Functional testing will increase access to our Paratransit service, by
ensuring that the service will be there for those who truly need it.” In the past, it was fairly easy to obtain a
Paratransit pass. All a person had to do is have an application signed by a
health-care provider. Now, when a customer seeks to obtain a
Paratransit pass, RTA will have the option of sending that person in for
functional testing, to determine if there is truly a need. If a person
demonstrates the mental and physical ability to use public transit, they will
be directed to use RTA bus and Rapid service. RTA estimates that only about 40 percent of new
applicants will be tested. During the next three years, some persons coming in
for renewals will also be tested. Each renewal is good for three years. Functional testing has been used extensively in
other major cities. Agencies found functional testing to be a valuable tool in
assessing the needs of their customers. “By better assessing the abilities of prospective
Paratransit customers, we can more appropriately distribute our resources,”
Calabrese says. “Demand for Paratransit is rising every year, and RTA needs to
ensure the service will continue to operate efficiently.” FOR MORE INFORMATION:
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY: Chad Self,
216-566-5211 
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