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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation

National

Transportation Rights

• Where can I call for information on disability-related difficulty with air service.
• If I need to arrange van transportation from my local paratransit company for 1:00PM, is it legal for them to tell me I will have a pick-up time of 11:45AM?
• Is it legal to call as soon as a day in advance for a ride from a van transportation paratransit company?
• Can I make a reservation to ride the van paratransit transportation 7 days in advance?
• Is it legal to charge more for van transportation than if I rode the public bus?
• What can I do if my transportation service is very late?
• Can my caregiver accompany me on my trip via a transportation service?

State Listings

Wisconsin

• What is Transit Plus and how can I obtain more information?

National

Legislation and Rights

Q: Where can I call for information on disability-related difficulty with air service.

• A: Aviation Consumer Disability Toll-Free Hotline for disability-related air service problems, call (866) 266-1368.

Q: If I need to arrange van transportation from my local paratransit company for 1:00PM, is it legal for them to tell me I will have a pick-up time of 11:45AM?

• A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that a van company cannot schedule an hour before or an hour after your requested time for pickup. Your local paratransit company would not be following the legal guidelines for scheduling your requested time for pickup if you ask for a 1:00PM pickup and they schedule you for 11:45AM.

Q: Is it legal to call as soon as a day in advance for a ride from a van transportation paratransit company?

• A: Under the ADA, next day service is allowed as long as you call during normal business hours. Check your local transportation paratransit company for their normal business hours. You may also call during comparable normal business hours on a day when the transportation offices are not open before a service day. In other words, even if the transportation offices are closed on Sunday, you can still schedule service on Sunday for Monday pickup as long as you call during comparable normal business hours.

Q: Can I make a reservation to ride the van paratransit transportation 7 days in advance?

• A: Under the ADA you can make a reservation up to 14 days in advance.

Q: Is it legal to charge more for van transportation than if I rode the public bus?

• A: Under the ADA, the fare for paratransit (van) transportation can be no higher than twice the amount of the fixed route services (the bus). If you pay $1.35 on the bus, the van can charge no more than $2.70.

Q: What can I do if my transportation service is very late?

• A: Recently a member of the NHU community was waiting for a ride on Transit Express in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when they realized their ride was very late. As they had made plans to meet friends at SummerFest and that they would be unable to get a hold of them to let them know that they would be late, they called the Transit Plus Helpline at (414) 343-1703.

  A mix up had occurred because they had called to cancel an evening reservation the day prior and instead of cancelling that reservation, Transit Express had cancelled their morning reservation instead. The receptionist was able to obtain another ride within 2 hours. Another complaint helpline for Milwaukee County transit problems is to call the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy at (414)342-8700.

  If you use transit systems, become familiar with their consumer helplines in the event of an emergency.

Q: Can my caregiver accompany me on my trip via a transportation service?

• A: A caregiver or personal care attendant can accompany you on your trip and shall not be charged. A family member also can travel with you.

See the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Transit Authority on-line office to technical assistance concerning the transportation implementing regulations of title II and title III of the ADA. For complaints on transportation or for information call the FTA Office of Civil Rights (TCR) ADA Assistance Line (888) 446-4511 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD/FIRS) or email ada.assistance@fta.dot.gov

State Listings

Wisconsin

Community and Internet Resources

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