Services, Disabled, Services for the Disabled (See also Senior Services)

Special Programs – ADA Paratransit

896-4010

Harrison County

875-8070

Jackson County

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.

Or

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.

Or

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 offices (333 Debuys Rd., Gulfport) or through local agencies
that serve the disabled. If certification is granted you must
then get a free ADA Paratransit ID card made at the CTA offices.

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 have to be made one to four days before you plan to
go. 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. You will be charged
the $2 boarding fee if you fail to cancel in advance!

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 50 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.