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Disability Services & Advocacy, LLC "Lifetime Planning and Services for People with Disabilities and their Families"
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PASSAIC COUNTY SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR 1. INTRODUCTION This information is reproduced form a manual created by the Board of Chosen Freeholder as a guideline to assist residents in their use of the Passaic County Paratransit System. Purpose The purpose of the Passaic County Paratransit System is to transport senior citizens and individuals with disabilities to medical appointments, community rehabilitation programs, shopping, nutrition centers, day care, employment, and group recreational functions upon request.
Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities are required to contact the appropriate service provider two weeks in advance of the date to accommodate their request for paratransit service. Senior Citizen Any individual who has reached the age of 60 is eligible for paratransit service and they are required to submit proof of age to the appropriate service provider listed in this manual. Disability There will always be some people who are unable to navigate out public fixed-route transportation systems on their own due to a wide variety of reasons. In this regard, Passaic County will give full consideration to the following categories to address paratransit service requests. Category #1 - "Can't Navigate The System" The first category includes any individual with a disability who is unable, as the result of a physical or mental impairment (including a vision impairment), without the assistance of another individual (except the operator of a wheelchair lift or other boarding assistance device) to board, ride, or disembark from any vehicle on the fixed-route system that is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This category will include, for example, persons with cognitive disabilities who do not know where to get off a fixed-route bus or how to go to their destination from the bus stop. It would also include a blind person who has no mobility training in order to navigate the route to his/her destination. Category #2 - "Specific Impairment-Related Conditions The second category includes any individual with a disability who has s specific impairment-related condition which prevents an individual from traveling to a boarding location or from a disembarking location applicable to the public fixed-route systems. The interaction of architectural and environmental barriers with an individuals' specific impairment-related condition in many, if not most, paratransit requests forms the basis for eligibility, if the effect prevents the individual from traveling to his/her objective destination (e.g., nutrition center, shopping, community rehabilitation program, employment, recreation, etc.). Service provision to individuals with temporary disabilities that substantially limit major life activities as the result of a physical or mental impairment will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with regard to and consideration of the following factors:
The term "disability" does not include:
Passengers are required to notify their appropriate service provider regarding a trip cancellation 1-1/2 days before their scheduled appointment date. Office staff will accept cancellation requests Monday through Friday. Although allowances will be made for missed trips beyond the control of an individual, non-compliance by passengers applicable to cancellation requests will be considered as a "NO show." If a passenger cancels his/her trip a full day and a half (1-1/2 days) before the scheduled appointment date by notifying the appropriate service provider, Monday through Friday, this will not be considered a "NO SHOW." In cases where an individual constantly misses scheduled appointments, paratransit service can be suspended for a reasonable period of time. But, if a passenger does not call his/her appropriate service provider far enough in advance, is not at the designated pick-up location when the driver arrives to transport the passenger, or does not call the appropriate service provider at all, disciplinary actions may be taken. However, before any action can be take, a pattern or practice of missed trips must be developed. The Director of Paratransit must notify the passenger in writing, by certified mail, of pending disciplinary action. The letter will state why and when suspension will take place, and it will include a copy of the appeal process. No driver has the right to suspend a passenger; this can only be done by the Director of Paratransit. Passengers can appeal a decision of suspension or any other actions taken by the Director of Paratransit. The County of Passaic will establish an Appeals Committee of five (5) people, which will include the Paratransit Coordinator, one provider, and three consumer members from the Senior Citizen and Disabled Transportation Committee. The structure of the Appeals Committee will be the same as the Senior Citizen and Disabled Transportation Committee regarding the ratio of consumer/provider representation. Passengers should address an appeal in the following manner:
Once a request for an Appeals Hearing is received, all disciplinary actions will be delayed and will be based on the determination and decision of the Appeals Committee. Passengers may be suspended or refused service for an indefinite period of time, due to disorderly conduct. If such conduct occurs, the Director of Paratransit will notify the passenger in writing regarding disciplinary action. This notice will include a copy of the Appeal Process. Disciplinary action can be taken for the following reasons: eating or drinking while on the vehicle, smoking , using foul language, unruly drunks annoying other passengers, not using the seat belt, and any other action the driver of the vehicle deems to be a safety hazard. The only exception would be passengers with disabilities which can provide medical proof that their action is involuntary and caused by an impairment such as Tourett's Syndrome. It is the responsibility of Passaic County to provide paratransit services, without discrimination, to all senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Passaic County employees are not permitted to accept tips from passengers. Any money received by the driver must go into the Donation Box. Fare/Suggested Donation Passaic County has a suggested donation on all vehicles. The drivers will follow the steps listed below:
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