WHAT IS PARATRANSIT?
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 1991 (ADA)
Federal regulations under the ADA states that each public entity operating a fixed route system shall provide transportation services to individuals with disabilities that is comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system. We fulfill this requirement with our Para-transit Services. Great Falls Transit District’s (GFTD) Paratransit service provides curb to curb transportation for individuals who are disabled and unable to use the fixed route system. Individuals must meet the criteria as stated in 49 CFR Part 37 and be within the service area. Paratransit hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 6:30 pm and Saturdays 9:30 am to 5:30 p.m. Pass booklets are available for $ 42.00 and contain 21 one-way ride passes. There is no refund available for any unused passes.Further information regarding the Paratransit Service can be obtained by calling the ADA Coordinator at 406-727-0382 between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR PARATRANSIT?
In order to determine if an individual is qualified to use Para-transit Services, an application must be filled out. A section of the application must be filled out by a medical provider. The information provided by the medical provider will determine if you are eligible for the program. GFTD needs the original signatures so either mail in your application or drop it off at 3905 North Star Blvd. Once your application is approved our ADA coordinator Maleah will call you and set up a time to get signed up. She will read you the rules and take your picture for your Para I.D. You will need this I.D. in order to ride. PARATRANSIT APPLICATION
HOW DO I SCHEDULE A RIDE?
After you are signed up and in the system you may begin scheduling rides by calling 406-452-7272. The Scheduler will need to know your full name, where and when you want to be picked up, where you are going, and if you will need a return ride. For medical trips only, a return trip call on the day of the medical visit will be accepted (call when ready). All non-medical return trips must be scheduled when requesting the original ride. Ride requests must be scheduled at least 1 day in advance but can be scheduled up to 14 days before intended use of service. Ride requests will be taken from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday. Ride requests must be made by 5:00 pm to receive next day service. After the 5:00 pm deadline, changes in the following day’s arrangements will not be allowed, except to cancel a ride.
WHAT IF I MISS MY RIDE?
When you schedule a ride, your driver can pick you up between 15 minutes before the scheduled time to 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The driver will wait 5 minutes and if no passenger shows up with in the 5 minutes, the driver will leave and the passenger will be charged with a missed ride or no show. When you miss a scheduled ride it costs the District resources to show up at your scheduled pick up point and not have a passenger to transport. Keep in mind, the passenger pays $2.00 for their ride. The ride actually costs the district approximately $ 14.00 with the taxpayers paying for the difference. If you need to cancel your ride you can do so by calling the same number you did to schedule it (406-452-7272). Due to service requirements we ask that cancellation of trips be done at least one (1) hour prior to pick up time. Failure to do so may end up in a missed ride. The Great Falls Transit District operates on a limited budget and missed rides are a waste of resources. In an effort to limit this waste, we must place a limit on the number of missed rides a passenger can accumulate in a 30 day period. 3 missed rides in a 30 day period will result in a 7 day suspension from using the Para-transit Service. A letter will be sent to the passenger informing them of the missed rides and the suspension will start 7 days after the date the letter is sent. The suspended passenger will have these 7 days to call (406-727-0382) and explain why the rides were missed. Barring any reasonable excuse, the suspension will be upheld. If the suspension is upheld, the suspended passenger has the right to request a hearing. If a hearing is requested, it will take place as soon as possible and the suspension will not take place until the resolution of the hearing. If the ride is missed due to the driver not arriving within the applicable time period, staying for the required 5 minutes or other error on the part of the District it will not be considered a missed ride. Missed rides are removed from the record after a 30 day period. The penalty will increase for subsequent missed rides in a one year period as follows:
1st suspension letter in a 12 month period = 7 day suspension
2nd suspension letter in the same 12 month period = 14 day suspension
3rd suspension letter in the same 12 month period = 21 day suspension
4th suspension letter in the same 12 month period = 30 day suspension
