ADA Complementary Shared-Ride Program
Individuals who have a disability may be eligible for shared-ride transportation with BARTA Special Services if their disability prevents them from independently boarding a BARTA bus or they must travel more than 3/4 of a mile to or from a BARTA bus stop.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law. The intent of the ADA is to remove barriers that have prevented people with disabilities from fully participating in life. Under the ADA, fixed-route service (regular city buses) is to be the primary means of public transportation for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Applying for the ADA Shared-Ride Program
An application must be completed to determine eligibility. To receive an application please call (610) 921-2361 and one will be mailed to you.
Or print out a copy.
ADA Application
BARTA provides several options to assist in communicating with individuals who do not speak English. BARTA contracts with LanguageLine Solutions to provide translation services. Customers should identify their needs upon calling BARTA and BARTA will conference call the interpreter.
For individuals who are hearing impaired, BARTA encourages customers to use the PA Relay Service. This service can be accessed by calling 711. The translation and interpretation services are free of charge.
Applications can be picked up and completed at The BARTA Special Services Office, 1700 N. 11th Street, Reading.
How quickly can an ADA Complementary Shared-Ride application be processed?
BARTA will make a determination of eligibility within 21 days of receiving your application for service. If approved, BARTA will issue a letter of approval, which will include instructions on how to use the service. Anyone denied eligibility has the right to file an appeal with BARTA within 60 days of receiving a notice of denial.
Scheduling Your Trip
Reservations can be made between 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. BARTA uses an answering machine device to take “ADA eligible” trip requests on Saturdays and Sundays and Holidays. Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday trip requests must be called into the answering machine between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Calls received outside of those hours will not be scheduled. It is important to remember that you must be certified as being “ADA eligible” and be taking an “ADA eligible” trip BEFORE you can take advantage of the previous-day advance reservation request.
When calling to schedule a trip, please have the following information ready:
- Name
- Pick-up Time and Date of Travel
- Pick-up Address
- Destination Address
- Return Trip Time (if needed)
- Telephone Number
- Any special assistance requirements
How much does it cost to ride?
ADA Certified individuals will pay no more than twice the fare of someone riding the same route on a BARTA fixed-route bus.
Can I travel with a friend?
A companion may travel with you. Your companion will pay the same fare as you for each ride. Additional fare-paying companions will be permitted if space is available. If you require the assistance of a personal care attendant to meet your mobility needs, your attendant will ride free of charge only if you are certified in advance to travel with an attendant.
How to Cancel a Trip?
Customers should inform BARTA at 610-921-2361 no later than 45 minutes prior to their pick-up time to cancel any trips. Cancellations can be made between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m, Monday through Friday, or you may leave a message during the holidays or non-business hours. Try to call the day before if you feel you will not be able to make your appointment. If the customer does not cancel the trip, a “No Show” will be issued.
ADA “No Show” Policy
Failure to cancel a trip at least 45 minutes in advance of the scheduled pick-up time or choosing not to travel upon arrival of the vehicle will result in a “No Show”. Customers who receive 3 “No Shows” in one calendar month period will be suspended for 7 days.
Out of Town Visitors for ADA
If a visitor does not have ADA eligibility documentation from another jurisdiction, we will still provide service. We may request proof of residency, and if the disability is not apparent, documentation of the individual’s disability. We will accept a certification by the visitor that he or she is unable to use fixed route transit. This means that we cannot require documentation beyond the visitor’s “say so” that he or she cannot use the fixed-route system.
General Policies
Personal Care Attendant
You may require the assistance of a personal care attendant to meet your mobility needs. Your attendant will ride for free of charge only if you are certified in advance to travel with an attendant. A companion may travel with you and will pay the same fare as you for each ride. Companions will be allowed to ride if space is available.
Cancellations and No Shows
We understand that sometimes circumstances occur which prevent you from using your trip. Please call and cancel your trip at least one hour before your scheduled pickup. If you fail to call and cancel your trip and do not take your trip as scheduled, it may be necessary for BARTA to charge you a no-show.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome on our vehicles. For the comfort of other passengers and for health reasons, we cannot allow pets in vehicles.
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. If you feel you have been discriminated against for transit services under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) please use the ADA Complaint Forms listed below or call us at 610-921-2361 or email 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 plans will be kept on file.
BARTA ADA Complaint Form
BARTA Spanish ADA Complaint Form
