ADA Regulations
Per 49 C.F.R.37.127, each public entity required to provide complementary para-transit service shall make the service available to visitors. Each public entity shall treat as eligible for its complementary para-transit services all visitors who present documentation that they are ADA eligible in the jurisdiction in which they reside.
initial procedure:
The visitor wanting to utilize the visitor program will contact their home transit system and ask them to contact the destination transit system to verify the visitor is ADA para-transit eligible in the home transit jurisdiction.
The destination transit system will accept the ADA para-transit eligibility of the home transit jurisdiction and will enter the visitor into their database or eligibility list and then contacts the rider's home transit system within one business day verifying that this has been accomplished. Likewise, the home transit system then notifies the rider in one business day so they can proceed with scheduling a ride with the destination travel system.
The home transit system will inform the destination transit system of the end date for eligibility for complementary para-transit service for the visitor.
The visitor will then schedule a ride with the destination transit system providing a minimum of 48 hours notice for the ride.
On-Going Procedure
1. The visitor will remain in the destination transit system database or eligibility list for period of three years or until the eligibility date for complementary para-transit service for the visitor in their home transit jurisdiction has expired, whichever is first.
2. It is the responsibility of the para-transit rider to re-apply for certification for eligibility for complementary para-transit service in their home transit jurisdiction.
3. All transit jurisdictions will utilize a three-year eligibility period for complementary para-transit service.
4. With subsequent rides, since the visitor is in the destination transit system - database or on their eligibility list, the visitor will directly contact the destination transit system giving a minimum of 48 hours notice for the ride.
EXCEPTIONS
1. Visitors may provide their own documentation of ADA approvals, such as Certification Letters or ID Cards from another district. This will bypass the need for contact with a home district and facilitate transportation in destination district is arranged as quickly as possible if needed.
2. Visitors with disabilities who are not eligible in another transit district, due to their geographic home location or lack of local public transit, may apply for conditional eligibility within SMTD’s transit district using the ADA Application Process available to all local residents. Information for the ADA Applications for Paratransit Services may be accepted over the phone to facilitate the process if arrival time in destination district does not allow time for mailing the application to visitors per procedure. All other local ADA Application procedures may apply.
