Paratransit and/or Dial-A-Ride Travel & People with Disabilities
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.
| Service Criteria | ADA Paratransit | 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. | 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. | No requirement. |
| 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. | No requirement. |
| Trip Purpose Restrictions | No restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose are allowed. | 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. | 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. |
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 | 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)
Relevant Links
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): Paratransit Info
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): Paratransit Guide (PDF and Text-Only Versions)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA): ADA Webpage
Federal Transit Administration (FTA): "Premium Charges" for Paratransit Services
Pace Bus ADA Paratransit Service
Pace Bus General Information en Español
Regional Transit Authority (RTA): ADA Paratransit Service
Documents
Letters sent by Equip for Equality to the CTA Board opposing the fare increase
View/Download Letter to the CTA Board Chair - Sent December 2, 2005 (Word Doc)
View/Download Letter to the CTA Board - Sent November 11, 2005 (Word Doc)
