ADA Paratransit
All SETD information is available in alternative formats. For requests please contact us at:
| Astoria Transit Center | (503) 861-5372 local, direct |
| 900 Marine Drive | (866) 811-1001 Toll Free |
| Astoria, OR 97103 |
SETD Special Services Application
To print out a PDF copy of the SETD Special Services
Application,
click
here.
Applications are also available by visiting or calling the
location above.
After completing the SETD Special Services Application, mail
it to:
Sunset Empire Transportation
900 Marine Drive
Astoria, OR
97103
Sunset Empire Transportation District User's Guide for
ADA Paratransit Service
The Sunset Empire Transportation District
(SETD, operating as the bus) has an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
paratransit service. The bus paratransit service will provide public
transportation to persons with disabilities who are unable to use regular fixed
route buses. Curb to curb paratransit service, in wheelchair lift equipped
mini-buses, will be comparable to existing SETD bus service operated within the
designated service areas. Individuals certified conditionally eligible are also
encouraged to use regular bus service whenever possible.
Service Information
Paratransit service is
available at the same times and days as regular SETD buses are schedules,
including Saturday. All trips must have an origination and destination within
¾ of a mile of a regular SETD bus route.
Scheduling a Trip
- Trip requests are made by calling the bus at 503-861-7433 or 503-776-6406.
- Trips must be scheduled at least a day in advance.
- Reservations may be made longer in advance for many trips, such as medical appointments.
- Subscription service (standing order) is available for riders who travel to and/or the same location on a regular basis.
- Pick up and drop off times may be scheduled within a service window of 10 minutes before or 20 minutes after a specific time.
- Passengers should be ready for vehicles, which may arrive up to 10 minutes early.
Service Fares
- The fare for the ADA paratransit service is twice (2x) the fixed route fare.
- You will be reminded of the fare when your paratransit trip is scheduled. Please note that rides may be shared with passengers from other programs who may or may not be paying a fare directly to the driver.
Service Accommodations
- If you require an escort or attendant (PCA) to assist you in traveling, a notation will have been made on your ADA photo identification card. No fare is charged for the PCA, but the person must travel to the same location.
- Service animals and mobility aids will also be accommodated.
- If the bus is notified when you schedule a trip, you may be accompanied by companion(s) who will pay the same fare.
Cancellations, Missed Rides, and No Shows
- Cancelled trips are costly so passengers should contact the bus as soon as possible when canceling a trip.
- Ridership privileges may be suspended due to a pattern of missed or no show appointments (3 trips in a 6 month period).
- Ridership privileges can also be suspended due to unruly behavior, which may or may not threaten the safety of others.
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call The Bus at 503-861-7433 or e-mail us.ADA Paratransit Eligibility Policy
Purpose:
This policy is required by rules
administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to implement the
provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990. The
rules require fixed-route transit agencies to provide services for disabled
passengers comparable to those offered other riders.
Definitions:
Paratransit
Means comparable transportation
service required by the ADA for individuals with disabilities who are unable to
use fixed route transportation systems. Special Services - is an Sunset Empire
Transportation District (SETD) term used instead of complementary paratransit
so as to be more understandable to the general public. These services include
having a fixed route bus deviate off route, having ADA Paratransit take a rider to
the nearest bus stop, and /or giving a rider priority for ADA Paratransit services,
as determined by the Lead Dispatcher based on the ride request. Eligibility is
the process outlined in this policy, whereby a rider can apply to receive
special services (complimentary paratransit).
ADA Compliance
The SETD provides two
transportation services to the citizens and visitors to Clatsop County. The
first is "The Bus" fixed route bus service. The second is ADA Paratransit, which
provides demand response transportation to the general public with priority
given to senior and disabled riders. All SETD vehicles are equipped with a
wheelchair lift. The SETD offers complementary paratransit service to any
disabled rider unable to utilized the fixed route service by deviating a bus
off-route up to ¾ of a mile or dispatching an ADA complementary
paratransit vehicle (ADA Paratransit bus.) Complementary paratransit is also used
to transport riders to the nearest bus stop for inter-city travel, except when
a passenger's disability makes bus travel impossible.
Application and Certification Process
When a
rider contacts the district with a request for paratransit service they will be
interviewed by the Dispatcher. If the Dispatcher feels that a disability exists
or may possibly exist, that rider will be presumed to be eligible for special
services for 21 days. An application form (attached to this document) will be
sent to all riders requesting special services whether or not the Dispatcher
feels a disability exists. All eligibility materials are available in
accessible formats upon request. This includes large print and audio
cassette.
Once a completed application is received, the District shall have
up to 21 days from receipt to make an eligibility determination. No application
for special services shall be accepted for review by the District until all
sections of the application are completed. All partially complete or illegible
applications shall be returned to the applicant. The Lead Dispatcher shall
review all completed applications to determine eligibility for special services
including the category of service such as permanent, temporary, or conditional.
If an initial determination is not made within 21 days of the individual's
request for service, they will be provided temporary services on a presumption
of eligibility until eligibility is determined.
All applicants will receive
notification of their eligibility or service denial in writing and in an
accessible format if requested. Individuals who are certified as eligible will
be provided with an identification card.
Denial of Service
If special services are
denied, the individual has the right to appeal this decision. The service
denial will be in writing and will include the reasons for the denial and
provide information about the process of appealing the decision. The denial
decision will be reviewed by a District Manager, who will sign the denial
notification letter.
Appeal Process
A grievance procedure must be
initiated within 60 days of the date on the letter denying paratransit
eligibility. The appellant will submit their complaint regarding access or
discrimination in writing to the SETD Board of Commissioners, PO Box 68,
Warrenton, OR 97146 for resolution. The appellant, at their request, will have
the right to meet with the Board to present additional information and
arguments at an open, public meeting. Anyone needing special accommodations may
contact the District Office for assistance at 503-861-RIDE (7433), 866-811-1001
or TDD 800-735-2900.
The decision of the Board of Commissioners must be made
within 30 days and will be in writing or in an accessible format, and include
the reasons for the finding. The decision of the governing body is final. A
record of action taken on each request or complaint must be maintained as a
part of the records or minutes at each level of the grievance procedure.
The
right of the appellant to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint
must not be impaired by the appellant's pursuit of other remedies, such as the
filing of a complaint with the Department of Justice or other appropriate
federal agency or the filing of a suit in state or federal court. Use of this
procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
Visitor Privilege
Visitors will be allowed
special services while staying in Clatsop County. The individual should have a
certification from their home of record. If they do not, the certification
process will be used to determine eligibility. Visitor privilege will be
provided by SETD for no more than 30 days after first use.
Suspension of Services
The district reserves
the right to suspend from services any ADA qualified person, who establishes a
pattern or practice of missing scheduled trips and/or for violating the
passenger conduct rules. The passenger conduct rules, rider no-show policy and
penalties are stated in the ADA Paratransit Use Policy and apply to all paratransit
services. Repeated violations can result in services being revoked for up to a
maximum of one year. All suspension decisions will be the responsibility of a
District Manager, subject by appeal to the Board of Commissioners.
Personal Care Attendant
If it is
determined that a rider needs the assistance of a personal care attendant
(PCA), that attendant may ride free of charge. Other companions may ride as
space allows and pay the normal fare.
Eligibility Identification Cards
Eligibility
Identification Cards will include: The name of the eligible individual, the
transit provider (SETD), the telephone number of the District, an expiration
date for eligibility if applicable, any conditions or limitations on the
individual's eligibility, and if there is need for a PCA.
Temporary or Conditional Certification
The
ADA qualified person will need to be re-certified every six months, unless a
longer time period is recommended by the physician and approved by a District
Manager.