Background
The Americans with Disability Act of 1991 specifies that all transit authorities who offer fixed route services must make available door-to-door paratransit service to those individuals who cannot use the fixed route bus based on disability.
ADA Regulations strictly limit the use of ADA Paratransit Service to the following individuals: Any individual with a disability who is unable, as a result of a physical or mental impairment & without the assistance of another individual (except the operator of a wheelchair lift or boarding device) to board, ride or disembark from any vehicle on the system, which is readily accessible to and usable for individuals with disabilities. OR any individual with a disability who has a specific impairment-related condition which prevents such individual from traveling to a boarding location or from a disembarking location on the fixed route system.
To become qualified for ADA Paratransit Service you must complete an application (attached to this brochure) and submit the application to CATA/VCT for review. CATA/VCT will make a determination regarding your status for the ADA Paratransit Service. You will either be granted permanent status, yearly recertification status, temporary status or denied ADA Paratransit Service.
Federal Guidelines for ADA Paratransit Service
- Once approved for ADA Paratransit Service, you can utilize the service at any time that the fixed route bus operates.
- ADA Paratransit approved riders are permitted to have a personal care attendant (PCA) ride for free so long as the PCA boards and disembarks the bus with the rider. A family member must be registered as a PCA in order to ride for free.
- ADA Paratransit approved riders are permitted to have 1 guest ride with them. The guest must pay the ADA fare. PCA’s are not considered guests.
- ADA Paratransit approved riders can have more than one guest ride with them so long as there are available seats on the bus. CATA/VCT is not required to make accommodations for more than 1 PCA and 1 guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is eligible for ADA Paratransit service?
A. Any person under the age of 65 that lives within 3/4 of one mile of the boundaries of the CATA/VCT fixed route network and cannot use the fixed route due to a physical and mental disability. CATA/VCT does not discriminate against individuals based on disability. If a customer feels that they have been discriminated against, complaint forms are available at the CATA or VCT Office, or at www.catabus.org.
Q. How much does it cost to ride the ADA Paratransit Service?
A. Federal law allows CATA/VCT to charge twice the fixed route fare for persons who use the ADA Paratransit Service. The current one-way fare for an ADA trip is $2.50 for CATA and $3.00 for VCT.
Q. Where can I go on the ADA Paratransit Service?
A. Once approved for ADA Paratransit Service, you can travel to any destination along the CATA fixed route. CATA/VCT cannot limit your usage of ADA Paratransit Service once you are approved.
Q. What if I need to go somewhere that the CATA fixed route bus does not go?
A. Then you cannot use ADA Paratransit Service for that trip. You must either pay full fare or utilize another approved sponsor for that trip.
Q. If I am determined to be ADA Paratransit eligible and I want to ride the fixed route bus instead, how much does it cost to ride the fixed route bus?
A. CATA/VCT encourages EVERYONE to ride the fixed route bus. If you are determined to be ADA Paratransit eligible, you also qualify to ride the fixed route bus for a discounted rate. A one-way trip for ADA Paratransit eligible riders on the fixed route is only $0.75. In order to utilize the fixed route at a discount, you must show your ADA card to the bus driver (bus drivers do not carry change). This discount does not apply to guests.
Q. How do I schedule an ADA Paratransit trip?
A. In Meadville, call 814-336-5600 or in Titusville call 814-775-0228. In Venango County call 814-432-7255. CATA/VCT will accept trip request reservations from 6:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday. Information ADA law allows CATA/VCT to negotiate trip pick up and drop off times, but all trips must be provided within one hour of the initially requested time.
Q. Is there a penalty for not showing up or canceling my scheduled trip?
A. YES. You must call CATA/VCT within two hours of your scheduled pick up time to cancel your trip. Failure to do so will result in your trip being labeled as a “No-Show”. CATA/VCT will issue you a letter after the first no-show. Customers may be suspended after exhibiting a pattern or practice of no-showing. CATA/VCT reviews all recorded No-Shows [and late cancellations] to ensure accuracy. Further information is available on the back cover of this brochure.
What is the process for determining if I am ADA Paratransit eligible?
All information about ADA Paratransit Service is available in accessible formats including large print upon request.
- You must complete the ADA Paratransit application and the front page of the Medical History Form included with the application. You must then call the Meadville Community Health Center at 814-373-3530 to schedule an appointment. (Titusville applicants, please call CATA to find the physician group for the Titusville area.) Venango County Transit applicants call the Worker’s Care in Seneca at 814-677-1768. If you need transportation to your appointment, CATA/VCT will provide a free door to door trip for you upon request. You must call CATA/VCT at least one business day in advance of your appointment if you need to arrange transportation. Once you visit the Meadville Community Health Center or Worker’s Care, they will forward your application to CATA/VCT.
- After CATA/VCT receives your completed application for ADA Paratransit Service, you are entitled to a decision from CATA/VCT within 21 days. Should you not receive a decision within 21 days, you can request and use ADA Paratransit Service until a decision is made.
- CATA/VCT will review your application and submit a decision to you in writing regarding your ADA Paratransit status.
- CATA/VCT may require recertification of the eligibility of ADA Paratransit eligible individuals at reasonable intervals.
- CATA/VCT has an administrative appeal process through which individuals that are denied eligibility can obtain review of the denial. That process is this: All appeals must be submitted to CATA/VCT in writing within 60 days of notice of decision. CATA/VCT may request a face to face meeting and/or forward the appeal to the CATA Board of Directors for consideration.