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Paratransit service is available for people with physical, cognitive or visual disabilities who are functionally unable to independently use the fixed route bus service either all of the time, temporarily, or only under certain circumstances. Disability alone does not determine paratransit eligibility.

A. Evaluation Procedure: The individual requesting paratransit services must complete a city approved form, submit it to SunTran and appear in person for a scheduled evaluation.

1. The applicant must complete the evaluation.

2. The applicant must provide verification of disability if requested.

3. The applicant must state why they cannot use the fixed route bus service.

4. The functional evaluation assesses the physical abilities of the applicant and their physical ability to use the bus system. The assessment will consist of activities such as boarding and riding a fixed route bus, negotiating various inclines, surfaces, curbs, curb cuts, and crossing streets. Skills evaluated include balance, strength, coordination, and range of motion.

5. The cognitive ability assessment is assessed by evaluating bus travel skills, community safety skills, and general orientation. It assesses the applicant’s ability to use the proper money, how to know what bus to get on, where to get off the bus, how to let the driver know what they need if they become confused or disoriented or other cognitive issues that may make it so the applicant cannot ride the fixed route bus.

B. Categories Of Eligibility: People classified by the city as eligible for paratransit service are assigned an eligibility category that is consistent with their ability to use the fixed route bus. The categories are:

1. Unconditional: If the applicant is determined to be unable to independently use the fixed route bus, even with training. A rider might receive unconditional eligibility but still be transported through a “seamless” transfer (the paratransit service waits for the fixed route bus) to a fixed route bus.

2. Temporary: If the applicant is unable to use the fixed route bus for a limited period of time then the applicant may use the paratransit service during that time.

3. Transitional: If the applicant is determined to be able to learn to use the fixed route bus with training, applicant may use the paratransit service while learning to use the fixed route bus.

4. Conditional: If the applicant can use the fixed route bus sometimes, but may require paratransit service in special circumstances when the interaction of the applicant’s disability and the environment or a special circumstance creates a barrier for safe, independent use of the fixed route bus for a particular trip. Examples of conditional eligibility include people with extreme fatigue after dialysis, or a bus stop which requires a person who is blind to negotiate a dangerous pedestrian area, like a large open parking lot with no reference points.

C. Ineligible: If the applicant has the physical and cognitive ability to use the fixed route bus or fails to comply with the requirements provided in this chapter, the applicant shall be classified as ineligible and the applicant’s application shall be denied.

D. Visitors: SunTran shall provide paratransit service to visitors. A “visitor” is defined as an individual with disabilities who does not reside in jurisdiction(s) served by SunTran. SunTran shall treat visitors as eligible for paratransit service for those visitors who present documentation that they are ADA paratransit eligible. SunTran shall make the service to a visitor required by this section available for any combination of twenty-one (21) calendar days during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service during such three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. In no case shall SunTran require a visitor to apply for or receive eligibility certification from SunTran before receiving the service required by this section.

E. Documentation: The applicant shall be given documentation stating the applicant’s name, SunTran’s name, address, and the telephone number for the paratransit coordinator, the expiration date for eligibility, and any conditions or limitations on the applicant’s eligibility including the use of a personal care attendant.

F. Recertification: Recertification may be required on an annual basis, or sooner if deemed appropriate by SunTran at its sole discretion.

G. Suspension: Service to an applicant may be suspended if there is a pattern or practice of missing scheduled trips or applicant creates other problems for other paratransit users. SunTran shall give notice to the individual identifying the basis for the suspension. The individual may protest the decision by meeting with the director or a designee to provide information and arguments on why there should be no suspension. SunTran will provide a written notice of the decision and the reason for the decision. (Ord. 2015-09-007, 9-3-2015)