Unaccompanied Minor Policy for BARTA Special Services
We recognize that there may be times when minor children need to travel alone. Unaccompanied minors may travel on BARTA Special Services from the age of 13 or older. Anyone under the age of 13 must travel with a responsible person who is 16 years or older. At no time will a minor child under the age of 12 be permitted to ride alone.
Effective Date for this policy: July 1, 2025
Personal Care Attendants
We realize that due to medical reasons, some of our passengers need to travel with a personal care attendant. Contact BARTA Special Services at (610) 921-2361 for information on receiving approval for an attendant.
Other companions may be scheduled to ride with you but may be charged a fare for their ride.
Driver Assistance
If a customer needs assistance, our drivers will gladly lend a hand within reason. Drivers may not enter a residence to provide assistance for security reasons. Drivers may assist a customer from the main door to main door of buildings. Drivers will not assist with taking wheelchairs up and down steps or through any grass or stony areas of a property due to safety issues.
Cancellations and No Shows
We understand that sometimes circumstances occur which prevent you from using your trip. If you are unable to cancel your trip or wave the driver on, it may be necessary for BARTA to charge you for a “no show”. Please call and cancel your trip at least one hour before your scheduled pick-up.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome on our vehicles. For the comfort of other passengers and for health reasons, we cannot allow non-service pets in vehicles.
Carry-on Packages
To ensure timely service, customers are limited to 2 shopping bags. Drivers will assist customers to the front door of their place of residence or to the front door of an apartment building. If you have more than two shopping bags, you will be required to carry them yourself. Customers are welcome to bring a collapsible shopping cart on the vehicle.
Child Safety Seats
On shared-ride vehicles, customers must provide appropriate child safety seats according to the PA State law including; child safety seats for children under 4 and a booster seat for children between the ages of 4 and 8. BARTA will not transport passengers on shared-ride vehicles if appropriate child safety seats are not provided.
Vehicle Lift Limitations
The average shared ride vehicle has a lift that can accommodate a total combined weight of up to 800 pounds, which includes both the mobility device and the customer. The average lift platform can accommodate wheelchair dimensions of 34″ x 51″. BARTA Special Services may or may not accommodate anything larger or heavier. Please contact our offices with any questions.
Out of Town Visitor
Customers who are visiting from out of town are able to ride BARTA Special Services if they follow certain guidelines. If a visitor does not have ADA eligibility documentation from another jurisdiction, we will still provide service. BARTA may request proof of residency, and if the disability is not apparent, documentation of the individual’s disability. BARTA will accept a certification by the visitor that he or she is unable to use fixed-route transit. This means that BARTA cannot require documentation beyond the visitor’s “say so” that he or she cannot use the fixed-route system. Services are provided for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service during that 365-day period. Reservations can be made using the same process as approved shared ride riders.
Complaint Process
A complaint is any issue or dispute or objection you express to us about our agency or about the coverage, operations, or policies. If you have a complaint or compliment about our services, about how you were treated by our staff or a driver, or about our policies and procedures, please tell us. You can call 610-921-2361 or email us at barta@bartabus.com. We will record your complaint, investigate it and respond to you within five (5) days. Copies of the complaint, agency responses/resolutions, and corrective action plan will be kept on file.
