Policies related to individual users of Paratransit, Inc.'s service:

• Adopted February 20, 1996
• Amended September 17, 1996
• Amended May 27, 1999
• Amended January 27, 2000

Policy on Eligibility:

Individuals must apply and be determined eligible in order to receive transportation services funded by Paratransit. Alternatively, individuals may apply to participate in Regional Transit's eligibility determination process to receive complementary paratransit eligibility pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Policy on Certification:

Rides will be scheduled only if the individual has a valid certification card; is a visitor (for up to 21 days with or without certification); or has submitted a completed application, which has not been processed after 21 days of receipt. Service will be restricted by eligibility category and other ADA-required regulations.

While Paratransit will temporarily honor ADA certifications made by another transit system, it retains the sole right to certify (or re-certify) eligibility on a permanent or temporary basis.

Policy on Appeals:

Applicants and certified users shall have access to an appeals process administered by Regional Transit to contest a denial of eligibility, their eligibility category determination, a trip denial, or a suspension from service. All appeals must be filed within sixty-five (65) calendar days from the date of the eligibility or service denial notification letter.  Final decisions on all appeals will be made by Regional Transit's ADA Paratransit Eligibility Appeal Board.

A copy of Sacramento Regional Transit District's Appeal Process for ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determinations and the Sacramento Regional Transit District Appeal Form for ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determinations will be provided to all applicants found ineligible. Ineligible applicants may reapply for services sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the denial notification letter.

Policy on Personal Escorts, Service Animals, and Guests:

Paratransit does not provide assistance beyond that necessary to board, disembark, or stow personal belongings. At the time of certification (or, if applicable, later), a passenger is required to notify Paratransit if he or she must travel with an attendant, and will be reminded to bring one along at the time of making a reservation. The same is true of service animals.

One guest accompanying a passenger to and from the same origin and destination will be allowed, provided Paratransit is notified at the time of making a reservation. More than one guest will also be welcome under the same circumstances, provided space is available.

Guests include infants and young children.

Policy on Fares:

To receive service, passengers and their guests must pay a fare upon boarding, but their personal care attendants do not. Fares may be paid in cash, scrip, or with a monthly pass. Nonpayment of a fare upon boarding will result in a denial of service for that trip.

The Regional Transit Board of Directors establishes the standard ADA fare structure. Premium non-ADA fares including, but not limited to, airport, same-day, subscription, group, and inter-jurisdictional service are determined by the Paratransit Board of Directors.

Policy on Identification Cards:

To receive service, upon boarding, passengers must show a valid ADA identification card issued by Regional Transit, another public transit system, or identification issued by Paratransit.

Policy on Service Area:

Qualified registrants are not entitled to service outside of the defined service area and/or the jurisdictional boundaries.

Policy on Reservations:

Reservations will be accepted as far in advance as two days, but not later than 5:00 p.m. one day before the ride date.

Policy on Capacity Constraints:

At the time of reservation making, passengers may be notified if excessive demand exists for their particular appointment or return time, and an alternative may be negotiated. 

Operational problems attributable to causes beyond the control of Paratransit shall not be a basis for determining that a pattern or practice of capacity constraints exists. Examples include, but are not limited to, unanticipated delays caused by another passenger, weather, or traffic conditions affecting all vehicular traffic that were not anticipated at the time a trip was scheduled.

Policy on Scheduling:

Reservation takers will route and schedule each trip request at the time the reservation is placed. Ride confirmation numbers and “ready times” will be given to the passenger. When at capacity, alternative times and/or days may be negotiated, a non-guaranteed “standby” reservation may be offered, or the trip may be denied. Passengers should expect the bus within 30 minutes after the negotiated “ready time,” and must board the bus upon arrival. A delay by the passenger in boarding more than five minutes after the “ready time” may result in a service denial. (See Policy on Suspension of Service below.)

Policy on Cancellations, Lateness and “No Shows”:

Passengers must cancel unwanted trips at least two hours in advance. A documented pattern of untimely cancellation notice, “no shows,” or lateness for reasons within the passenger's control will result in service denial on a long-term basis. (See Policy on Suspension of Service below.)

Policy on Service Quality:

Schedules will allow adequate time for passengers to complete boarding or disembarking from the vehicle. Paratransit may provide boarding chairs or other mobility devices to reduce travel time from the passenger's door to the vehicle.

Policy on Service-Delivery Options:

Paratransit reserves the sole and exclusive right to determine whether it will deliver transportation services using its own drivers and vehicles or using drivers and vehicles of other entities. Passengers will be expected to ride on the assigned vehicle and with the assigned operator.

Policy on Transporting Other Life-support Equipment:

Passengers may travel with respirators, portable oxygen, and other life-support equipment, provided such transport does not violate laws or rules related to transportation of hazardous materials.

Passengers using such equipment are strongly advised to use medical transportation and/or travel with a personal care attendant.

Policy on Accessible Origins and Destinations:

Service to or from inaccessible origins or destinations will be provided at the curb instead of at the door if no safe access exists. In this instance a personal care attendant is strongly advised.

Policy on Access to Information about Paratransit Services:

This information will be made available in accessible formats as necessary to enable users to understand Paratransit's services and policies. It will also be reviewed during the certification process as part of Regional Transit's one-on-one passenger eligibility determination process, and at group orientations conducted by Paratransit for community care facility staff.

Policy on Prohibiting Disruptive Behavior:

Service will immediately be denied on a long-term basis to passengers who engage in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to: threats or fear of physical or verbal abuse; unlawful harassment, including unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior having sexual or racial connotations; unauthorized use of equipment on the vehicle; voluntarily and repeatedly violating bus riding rules, including smoking on the bus, standing while it is in motion, eating or drinking without medical indication, or defacing equipment; refusing to comply with other requirements specified in the policies above; or providing false information in order to qualify for certification.

Policy on Suspension of Service:

Passengers must not engage in activities which misuse the system, unnecessarily using capacity that could otherwise go to people who need rides, and increasing costs.

Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to, failing to show up for scheduled rides (“no shows”), failing to board the bus immediately upon arrival (lateness), and providing late cancellation notice.

A suspension will be imposed as described below for a documented pattern within any 30-day period of misuse of system capacity within the passenger's control. A sudden personal emergency, sudden or worsening illness, inability to reach Paratransit's phone lines, or a late driver shall not be considered within the passenger's control.

Passengers will be provided an opportunity to explain the reason for each occurrence in a call initiated by Paratransit. After the third incident (and if the passenger cannot be reached after three attempts via telephone), Paratransit will issue a written warning notice that the next violation will result in a denial of service.

Prior to any suspension, a written warning of the proposed suspension period and the reason(s) for it will be provided to the passenger. Passengers who appeal the proposed suspension may continue to ride pending a decision on the appeal. (See Policy on Appeals above.)

Suspension for Untimely Cancellation Notice, “No Shows,” and Lateness:

First Suspension:	7 days
Second Suspension:	14 days
Third (and subsequent) Suspensions:	30 days

Policy on Lift and Securement Use:

Paratransit will transport passengers whose wheelchairs meet the ADA-regulated definition of a common wheelchair. A common wheelchair is a wheelchair or other mobility device that does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length when measured 2 inches above the ground and that does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied.  Wheelchairs and their users shall be secured at all times during boarding, deboarding, and transporting operations. Passengers who use scooter-type wheelchairs who are capable of transferring to a vehicle seat are strongly urged to do so during transport.  Passengers, who need the lift to board but are not wheelchair users, may use the lift standing. If a boarding chair is available, passengers are strongly encouraged to use it.

Policy on Nondiscrimination and ADA Notice:

A high priority of the Board of Directors of Paratransit, Inc., is to ensure all of its programs, including its federally funded programs and activities, are administered and provided free of discrimination to all employees, job applicants, and program participants and applicants.

Paratransit does not discriminate against any person because of sex, age, race, creed, color, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, political affiliation or belief, or heritage. Furthermore, the Board specifically prohibits all forms of sexual and other unlawful harassment within Paratransit, Inc., and all federally funded programs it administers.

Any staff member, participant, or applicant to a federally funded program who feels he or she has been discriminated against, may contact Paratransit's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and ADA Coordinator, Linda Deavens, for purposes of implementing Title II of the ADA, including Section 35.107. Her telephone number is (916) 429-2009, extension 302. Access is also available via TDD at (916) 429-2568, FAX at (916) 429-2409, or in writing at P.O. Box 231100, Sacramento, CA 95823-0401.

Information about the ADA and the rights and responsibilities provided here may be provided by Ms. Deavens or obtained from the Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20035-6118, or by calling (202) 514-0301, or TDD (202) 514-0381.