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About Paratransit | Eligibility | Applying | Types of Services | The Paratransit Coordinating Council | Service Hours | Service Area | Visitor Use | Regional Paratransit | Travel Training | Advantages
About Paratransit
San Francisco Paratransit is a van and taxi program for people unable to independently use public transit because of a disability or disabling health condition. Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has required all public transit agencies to provide paratransit services to eligible disabled people. Muni has provided paratransit services for more than 25 years. Muni contracts with a Paratransit Broker to manage the service. The Paratransit Broker contracts with van and taxi companies to provide transportation.
Paratransit user boarding accessible van
Who is eligible for paratransit services?
To be eligible for paratransit, you must be unable to use Muni’s accessible buses, trains, or streetcars some or all of the time, without the aid of another person. Guidelines for eligibility come from the ADA.
How do I apply for paratransit?
If you are unable to independently use Muni or BART some or all of the time due to a disability, you may submit an application for ADA Paratransit service. To get an application you may:
- Phone the San Francisco Paratransit program office at 415.351.7050
(TTY 415.351.3942).
- Pick up an application at the Paratransit office (68 12th St.), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to
4:45 p.m.
- Download the application from www.sfparatransit.com.
To obtain an application in an accessible format or in a foreign language, or for a referral for help in completing the application, please call the Paratransit office.
What types of paratransit service are provided in San Francisco?
Three types of service are provided:
- SF Access Van Service: SF Access (for ambulatory persons and for persons who use wheelchairs) provides pre-scheduled, door-to-door ADA van services. SF Access is a shared-ride service. SF Access customers must make a reservation from one to seven days before the day of the trip, and service is provided within one hour of the requested pick-up time.
- Taxi Services: Paratransit taxi is the same curb-to-curb taxi service that is available to the general public. This is not an ADA mandated service, but many customers find that it better meets their transportation needs. Currently, due to budget constraints, paratransit taxi service is not available to most new customers. Some exceptions are made for wheelchair users, those needing kidney dialysis, and people over 80 years of age.
- Group Van Service: Group Van is a pre-scheduled van service providing door-to-door transportation to groups of ADA-eligible customers attending specific agency programs such as Adult Day Health Care, senior centers, or work sites.
The Paratransit Coordinating Council
Muni has a long history of community involvement with paratransit services. The Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) is an advisory body for customers, service providers, social service agency representatives and others to provide input on the paratransit program. The Executive Committee of the PCC meets regularly to discuss and provide input to Muni on paratransit services. To become involved, call SFMTA Accessible Services at 415.701.4485 (TTY 415.701.4730).
During what hours are San Francisco paratransit services provided ?
Paratransit van and taxi services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
What is the geographical area served by San Francisco Paratransit?
Service is provided within San Francisco, to Treasure Island, and to the northernmost part of Daly City in San Mateo County. To determine if your destination is in the San Francisco Paratransit service area, please call the Paratransit Office at 415.351.7000.
How do I use paratransit if I am a visitor to San Francisco?
ADA-certified persons who are visiting from outside San Francisco will be served by San Francisco Paratransit. For more information, please call the Paratransit office in advance of your visit. For ADA-certified visitors from outside the Bay Area, eligibility will be valid for up to 21 days in a rolling twelve-month period. Visitors needing service for longer than 21 days will need to apply for Bay Area ADA Paratransit eligibility.
Mobility Plus Transportation (415.643.2185) will provide weekend paratransit service to newly arrived visitors but visitors must contact San Francisco Paratransit (415.351.7050) on the next business day to register for visitor services.
Regional Paratransit
Paratransit services are an important part of the Bay Area’s regional transportation system. For individuals who are paratransit eligible, each local transit operator provides paratransit services that are comparable to the fixed-route services in the area.
Please contact the local paratransit provider directly for more information or to arrange a trip.
East Bay Paratransit
(BART/AC Transit Paratransit)
510.287.5000
Whistlestop Wheels
(Golden Gate Paratransit)
415.456.9062
Rediwheels (SamTrans Paratransit)
800.660.4287
Outreach (VTA Paratransit)
800.400.3440
Please note that San Francisco Paratransit does not serve any Bay Area airports. Rediwheels serves the San Francisco International Airport, and East Bay Paratransit serves the Oakland International Airport.
SF Paratransit Logo
Travel Training
Free Travel Training is available for individuals who would like to improve their transit skills or gain more experience using the Muni system.
Below is a description of the program:
Group Orientation for Travel Training is a regularly scheduled, drop-in information session open to all seniors and persons with disabilities. At these meetings you can:
- Learn how Muni serves customers with disabilities and offers an independent way to travel;
- Learn how and where to get Muni information in accessible formats to help plan trips;
- Meet other persons with disabilities and seniors who use the Muni fixed-route system. Hear their experiences about using Muni and share your transportation questions with them;
- Practice boarding an accessible Muni vehicle;
- Sign up for free individualized travel training sessions.
If needed, transportation to the first group orientation will be provided.
Those unable to attend group training can request to meet with a certified Travel Trainer individually.
Individualized Travel Training is an opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction with a qualified Travel Trainer. The trainers are experienced Muni riders and many are persons who are disabled. During this travel training you will:
- Meet personally with a Travel Trainer and plan a training program to meet travel goals;
- Practice riding Muni while accompanied by a Travel Trainer;
- Have a follow-up training session on the Muni system with a Travel Trainer nearby monitoring your travel;
- Learn how and where to obtain schedule and route information;
- Gain the experience needed to comfortably and safely use Muni.
Advantages
Using the buses, trolleys and light rail of the Muni fixed-route system provides many advantages:
Call 415.351.7052 for more information on travel training.
Continue to Chapter 11: Bay Area Transit Connections
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