ADA Paratransit

Just because you have a physical or mental impairment doesn’t mean you’re handicapped … not with ADA Paratransit!

The Coast Transit Authority has an easy way for people with disabilities to get around town. In accordance with federal law, curb-to-curb ADA Paratransit compliments our fixed route service.

How do you qualify?

There are three separate categories or conditions that can enable you to use ADA Paratransit.

You have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from getting on, getting off or riding any handicapped-accessible bus by yourself. You must need help from someone besides a wheelchair lift operator.
You need a wheelchair lift or other boarding assistance device and can, with that help, board, ride, and disembark the bus. ADA Paratransit is only justified under this category if, for some reason, a boarding device can’t be used at your regular bus stop on a CTA Fixed Route.
You have a specific impairment-related condition that prevents you from traveling to or from a bus stop. But just because it’s difficult getting to a bus stop doesn’t qualify you. Your condition must make travel to a regular bus stop impossible.

Then What?

Think you fit one of these categories? You may be eligible for ADA Paratransit. To find out for sure, you must be certified eligible. Applications for certification are available at the CTA office (333 Debuys Rd., Gulfport), Coast Transit Authority website or through local agencies that serve the disabled. CTA does not require a CTA ID to ride Paratransit, if they wish to get an ID for reduced fare on Fixed Routes, we provide them free of charge.

How it works

ADA Paratransit service is a curb-to-curb service. That means you must wait at the curb at the scheduled time for the bus to arrive.

If you need an attendant or a mobility aide; it’s your responsibility to provide one for yourself. This includes finding someone to help you with packages, if needed.

Remember, CTA bus drivers aren’t trained attendants. There’s little they can do to help you get around. You’ll find a detailed list of limitations affecting CTA drivers at the end of this section.

By appointment only

ADA Paratransit is available within three-fourths of a mile on either side of CTA’s fixed route bus system. You may go anywhere you want, as long as the destination is on a fixed route.

You must make an appointment to ride ADA Paratransit. Service requests are taken seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Requests must be made prior day to 14 days in advance. Please, do not try to set up appointments through the driver! You must call the CTA offices to make an appointment.

If you travel plans change, you need to cancel your appointment at least one hour before the pick-up-time.

Rather do it yourself

Don’t want to wait around to make an appointment? Just want to get up and go? With your ADA Paratransit ID card you can! Board the fixed route bus at any CTA bus stop, show your ID, and you can ride anywhere we go for just 75 cents per fare zone!

Know our limitations

We want to make your ride the greatest thing going .. but please don’t ask us to violate safety rules!

The driver is not allowed to:

Go into the home to assist passengers
Push wheelchairs across areas that are not paved or covered with leveled concrete
Take a wheelchair off a raised porch which is not connected to a ramp
Pick up or lift wheelchairs, especially when someone is in it
Wait more than five minutes for passengers to board the bus

Paratransit Fares

The Coast Transit Authority ADA Paratransit service is a bargain, but it is not free. The service is paid for by the client.

ADA Paratransit service is $2 per fare zone, so the total cost of a trip depends on where you are going. Please have the correct change ready for the driver before you go.

All trips are pay-as-you-go. There is no credit line available.

For your convenience, we sell ADA Paratransit passes. You can purchase them in sheets of —-ten passes for $20. Each pass is good for one fare zone. Passes are non-refundable.

Transportation Services available under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Coast Transit Authority has an easy way for people with disabilities to get around town. In accordance with federal law, curb-to-curb (Door to Door as needed) ADA Paratransit compliments our Fixed Route service.

How do you qualify?

There are three separate categories or conditions that can enable you to use ADA Paratransit.

You have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from getting on, getting off or riding any accessible bus by yourself. You must need help from someone besides a wheelchair lift operator.