Paratransit & Accessibility

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The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's (RTC's) Paratransit Service is a shared-ride, door-to-door program available for those who are functionally unable to independently use the RTC's fixed-route system either all of the time, temporarily or under certain circumstances. All Paratransit customers are eligible and encouraged to use fixed- route services. Paratransit ID card holders can ride any fixed route, MAX or Deuce vehicle free of charge.

The reservation-based door-to-door service is available to customers who have been deemed eligible through an evaluation process which is based on one’s ability to use the fixed-route system and is determined through an in-person functional ability assessment process. Disability alone does not determine eligibility. The functional assessment includes a mock trip to and from the bus and evaluates skills such as balance, strength, coordination and range of motion.

The RTC Paratransit Service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The system operates within the urbanized area of Clark County as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Areas that are not serviced by RTC fixed-route services may not have service through RTC Paratransit Service. Nellis Air Force Base permits drop off and pick ups at the main gate and on the base. When you are scheduling your reservation, please ask the Customer Service Representative where you may be dropped off at the base. Customers must have a valid military identification card in their possession. A supplemental service zone of 39 square miles exists outside of the service area required by the ADA. Special fares and reservation policies apply to travel within, into or out of this area. Riders are informed as to whether they live in the supplemental service area when their eligibility is determined.

Important Phone Numbers

• RTC Paratransit Customer Service: 702-228-4800 or 702-676-1834 TDD
• RTC Certification Office: 702-676-1815
• Lost & Found: 702-228-4800

Service Area

• Service Area Map.
• The system operates within the urbanized area of Clark County as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Nellis Air Force Base permits drop offs and pick ups at the main gate and on the base. Customers must have a valid military identification card in their possession.
• A supplemental zone exists outside of the service area required by the ADA. Special fares and reservation policies apply to travel within, into or out of this area.

RTC Paratransit Fares (Effective January, 2003)

NOTE: Passengers are responsible for paying their fare at the time of boarding. Failure to do so may result in the customer not being transported. Companions are charged at the same fare amount as the ADA passenger. Please have the exact fare ready. Drivers do not
make change or accept checks.

Paratransit Monthly Pass
A Paratransit monthly pass and pre‑pay card can be purchased at:

The Downtown Transportation Center
300 N. Casino Center Blvd.

The RTC Administration Building
600 S. Grand Central Pkwy.

The South Strip Transfer Terminal
6675 S. Gilespie.

By mail by sending a check or money order to:

RTC ADA Paratransit Services
ATTN.: Accounts Receivable
600 S. Grand Central Pkwy. Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89106

Sorry, we cannot accept out‑of‑state checks or third-party checks. Checks must be pre‑printed with your name and address. Fares must be paid at the time of boarding a vehicle. Unpaid fares will result in suspension of RTC ADA Paratransit service and collection procedures will be initiated. Payment of all legal fees incurred to collect unpaid fares are the responsibility of the client.

Shared Rides
RTC Paratransit Services is a shared public transportation service. Whenever possible, the RTC will schedule rides with multiple passengers.

Reservations
Eligible RTC Paratransit patrons can make service reservations seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. including holidays. Reservations can be made Christmas and Thanksgiving between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Customer Service at 702-228‑4800 or 702-676‑1834 (TDD) for hearing impaired.  For more information regarding reservations and cancellations, visit the Reservations and Cancellations Policy Page.

Eligibility Evaluation Appointments
Appointments for evaluation are required and may be made by calling 228-4800 (press 4) or TDD 676-1834 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Upon request, complimentary transportation is available to and from the evaluation center on the day of your appointment.

Appointments are confirmed in writing and confirmations include the date, time and location of the evaluation. The evaluation center is closed on weekends and holidays.

Case Review
Applicants who are determined not eligible or who do not agree with the conditions established for their use of RTC ADA Paratransit Services may request an appeal, which must be filed within 65 days from the date the initial eligibility determination.

Evaluation Procedure
All persons seeking eligibility for RTC ADA Paratransit Services must appear in person. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether the applicant can use fixed-route service after services and identifies specific circumstances that create a barrier to the applicant's independent use of the fixed-route system.

The components of the RTC ADA Paratransit Services evaluation include verification of the disability, the applicant's own assessment of his/her ability to use fixed route services, and a functional ability assessment, if needed. Information regarding the applicant's ability to use the bus may be provided by a health care professional and considered, but is not required.

The application form will be completed at the time of the evaluation, it is designed to gather information from the applicant regarding his/her disability and the applicant's own assessment of his/her environment and functional ability.

Functional Ability Assessments
The functional assessment is a mechanism to help determine whether the applicant has the ability to use fixed-route services and, if so, under what circumstances. Functional assessments are evaluations used to predict either physical, cognitive, visual, or psychiatric ability and they are conducted by independent professionals.

The Physical Functional Ability Assessment consists of a simulated trip to and from the bus that includes cross slopes, inclines, negotiating a curb and curb cut and crossing the street. Skills evaluated include balance, strength, coordination and range of motion.

The Functional Assessment of Cognitive Transit Skills (FACTS) is administered to applicants with cognitive disabilities. FACTS is a validated assessment tool that utilizes a simulated bus trip to assess a person's transit skills including bus travel, community safety and general orientation.

Variables in the environment are considered as well as the applicant's ability to perform the tasks required to use the bus.

Categories of Eligibility
People who are determined to be eligible for RTC ADA Paratransit Services are assigned one of the following eligibility categories that are consistent with their ability to use fixed-route service.

• Unconditional - You're unable at this time to independently use any fixed route service
• Transitional - If your condition is temporary, not permanent or if you're capable of learning to use fixed route services with some training
• Conditional - you can use fixed route services sometimes but may require Paratransit services when the combination of your disability and the environment or some other special circumstance creates a barrier to independent use for particular trips

Passenger Assistance
Drivers may maneuver your manual wheelchair if you need assistance from your door to the vehicle, lend a steady arm if you need assistance, provide directions or act as a sighted guide to/from vehicle if you experience a vision disability.

Non-Assistance
Drivers may not operate or push your powered mobility device (for example, electric wheelchair or scooter), operate or push your equipment or shopping cart up or down stairs or steep inclines, cross residential thresholds, lift or carry riders, carry packages or other items. Drivers are trained not to perform these activities. Please do not make these requests of your driver.

Door-to-Door
RTC Paratransit Services provides“door-to-door” service. The driver will come to your door to let you know the bus has arrived. However, there will be some locations and/or situations where the driver cannot leave the vehicle. If you are able to wait at the curb or at the designated bus stop, please do so whenever possible.

Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices
All vehicles used for service in the RTC system are 100 percent ADA accessible. Drivers will assist customers in boarding and deboarding the Paratransit vehicle as needed. All mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters and three-wheel carts must be secured in the vehicle. Mobility devices are secured following the procedures outlined in the RTC's Securement Assistance for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) program. If your medical condition or disability requires you to use an assistive mobility device or change the type of mobility device used during your initial functional ability assessment, it must be reported to the RTC Certification Office within 15 days. Due to this change you may be required to undergo an additional functional assessment to determine what effect this change may have on your functional ability. Your current eligibility status may be altered as a result of your new functional assessment.

Service Animals
Service animals are welcome and ride free-of-charge. A disruptive service animal will be treated according to the Illegal and Disruptive Behavior Policy. Service animals must sit on the floor or on the passenger’s lap. They may not occupy a passenger seat. All other animals must be in a secure cage in order to board the Paratransit vehicle.

Children
Children under six years old must be accompanied by a responsible party. Children under six years old or who weigh less than 60 pounds must be secured in an approved child safety seat provided by the customer. Strollers must be collapsed to fit between the seat and the customer. Non-collapsible strollers are prohibited. For safety reasons, children capable of sitting on their own must sit in a seat and not on an adult’s lap.

Personal Care Attendants (PCA) may ride free-of-charge when accompanying an individual certified by the RTC Certification Office as requiring a PCA. The need for a PCA will be determined during your evaluation appointment. One companion may also accompany an eligible rider. A companion will be charged the same fare as the eligible rider. Let the Customer Service Representative know at the time the reservation is made if you will be traveling with a companion, a PCA or both.

Unattended Customer Policy
Customers determined as unable to be left unattended (based on age, cognitive limitations or special request of the responsible party) may schedule rides and ride unattended; however, arrangements must be made to have a responsible party meet the Paratransit vehicle at
each location. A customer or their legal guardian must submit a request for a passenger to be determined as unable to be left unattended.
The driver will only wait five minutes for the responsible party to meet the Paratransit vehicle. If no one arrives, the driver will notify the RTC and continue on their route. The RTC will attempt to reach the designated emergency contact person. If the customer is not met by the end of the route, they will be returned to the bus yard. The customer will not be left unattended and the police will be notified to assist in locating a responsible party. Customers who must continue on a route beyond their scheduled destination may be subject to suspension of services. To submit a request please call the RTC Certification Office at 676-1815 or 676-1834 (TDD).

Illegal & Disruptive Behavior Policy
The RTC established an Illegal and Disruptive Behavior Policy to address the safety and well-being of customers, passengers, and
staff of the RTC and its contractors. The policy defines categories of illegal and disruptive behavior and the consequences for such behavior. It’s in effect in and around vehicles and facilities owned and/or operated by or on behalf of the RTC, including the Citizens Area Transit (CAT) system, The Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) service, the Deuce service, RTC ADA Paratransit service, CAT STAR specialized service, Silver STAR senior transportation service,and other services. The RTC recognizes that an individual’s disability or medical condition may cause a passenger to unknowingly and/or unintentionally violate the Illegal and Disruptive Behavior Policy. For this reason, the RTC looks at each violation individually.