Complementary Paratransit Begins Locally Monday

After the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed nationwide in 1990, public transportation agencies that receive federal aid – including Town and Country Transit in Kittanning - are required to provide the service to those unable to navigate fixed-route trips.

Town and Country Transit General Manager Patti Lynn Baker and Operations Manager Gerry Miller said a compliance review indicated the Kittanning-based transit service wasn’t offering the service.

“It should have happened a long time ago,” the pair said. “Our predecessors never started the program and it was not in demand. Nobody may want it, but you have to have it in place and you have to let (residents) know that (complementary paratransit) is there.”

Armstrong County residents must apply for complementary paratransit if they live within a three-quarter of a mile radius around an existing fixed-route route and their trip corresponds within the same days and times of an existed fixed-route trip.

“An individual who wants this service has to meet eligibility requirements because just because they have a disability doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unable to ride fixed-route,” Baker said. “There are people with disabilities – they might even have a wheelchair – but that doesn’t mean they will qualify for this program.”

There is no priority based on destination, but those individuals that do qualify must pre-register for trips by 3:45PM the day prior.

Complementary paratransit will operate during normal fixed-route hours – 5:30AM to 10:40PM.

“If anyone wants to go somewhere during those times, we have to accommodate that trip,” Baker said.

Baker expects changes in the amount of Persons with Disabilities trips during normal business hours, and therefore revenue collected.

Transit officials have up to 21 days to process an application toward the unfunded mandate. Applications as well as brochures with information are available at the Town and Country Transit headquarters along North Grant Avenue in Kittanning.

The law permits Town and Country Transit to charge up to twice the amount of fixed-route fares for complementary paratransit trips.

Town and Country Transit’s EcoLane software will greatly assist with the trips.

Office employees as well as drivers have been trained in the service.