Transportation Services

Transportation Services

Public and Paratransit Transportation

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

requires that transit agencies make their services accessible to people with disabilities including the availability of paratransit service. Most transportation systems in the Bay Area are accessible.

Paratransit service is a “safety net” for people who, due to their disability, are unable to ride regular buses and trains some or all of the time. It is generally a shared service that must be reserved at least one day in advance. The service picks you up at your place of residence. Riders who need extra help may bring an attendant with them at no additional charge. Fares vary from county to county.

Eligibility is based upon functional ability to use regular public transportation. Eligibility is not based on age or inability to drive an automobile, or income. Please note that having a medical condition or a disability does not automatically qualify you for paratransit services.

The eligibility process may consist of an inperson interview at an eligibility certification office where your completed application including licensed physician’s verification of disability is reviewed. It takes up to 21 days from the date of your interview to receive notice of eligibility. To request additional information and an application form contact your local paratransit agency. See details below.

SAN MATEO COUNTY

Redi-Wheels and RediCoast - Paratransit (800) 660-4287 (Customer Service)

(650) 366-4856 to sign up for services.call Customer Service www.samtrans.com/accessibility The San Mateo County Transit District provides Redi-Wheels paratransit service on the bayside of the county and RediCoast on the coastside. Clients must be pre-enrolled to use this service. Service is available 7 days a week.

FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) (650) 593-1288

Provides FREE volunteer transportation assistance for medical appointments within each tri-city area (Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores and San Carlos). Limited wheelchair accessible vehicles. Service is free. Call 1 week in advance of medical appointment.

Get Up & Go Senior Transportation Services Program (Peninsula Jewish Community Center) (650) 378-2750

www.pjcc.org/learn/older/getupandgo.html Get Up & Go provides door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible transportation services every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for older adults living on the bayside of San Mateo County to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and some personal errands within the county. Seniors are brought to the PJCC for a weekly socialization program on Wednesdays. Rides must be scheduled by the Wednesday of the week before your ride. Preregistration is required. Cost is FREE.

TIP: A feeling of confidence can be achieved when out with your car, using new smart phone and tablet apps such as: Find My Car Smarter, Take Me to My Car, and Where Did I Park. Check the iTunes Apple Store or Google Play for apps that are available either for free or at a low cost.

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San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) 1-800-660-4287 - (650) 508-6202

www.samtrans.com Sam Trans has a travel training program to show people with disabilities how to use the regular fixed-route buses or to ride on CALTRAIN. It is free of charge and self-paced.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Avenidas Door to Door Transportation (650) 289-5453

www.avenidas.org Provides assisted, door-to-door transportation to lunch or other outings.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

www.vta.org Customer Service at (408) 321-2300 TTY call (408) 321-2330 Other languages: Spanish.

VTA Access Paratransit (408) 321-2381 or TTY (408) 321-2330

www.vta.org/getting-around/paratransit/ accessibility-paratransit-service This is the paratransit service for the Valley Transportation Authority. We provide door-todoor transportation only within Santa Clara County. Mobility information and rider’s guides are available to download. Contact them for details about initiating the eligibility certification process. Clients must be pre-enrolled to use this service. VTA Access will advise customers regarding the service hour availability for requested trips. Other languages: Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Other Transportation Options

Community Services Agency Serving Mountain View, Los Altos & Los Altos Hills (650) 968-0836

www.csacares.org Provides limited escorted transportation through staff, volunteers and contract services to residents of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills who qualify for services. Other languages: Spanish.

Heart of the Valley (408) 241-1571

www.servicesforseniors.org/ Provides escorted transportation to people age 65 and up. Limited service area within Santa Clara County. Services are not ongoing and require a 7-working days notice. (Monday - Friday) Call for zip code eligibility.

Need-A-Ride (650) 462-0853

Transportation for ambulatory seniors. Serves Palo Alto to San Mateo. Call between 6pm - 9pm for next day service. There is a fee for this service.

RoadRunners El Camino Hospital (650) 940-7016

elcaminohospital.org/services/roadrunnerstransportation Volunteers provide door-to-door escorted transportation for any location Monday through Friday within a 10-mile radius of El Camino Hospital, Mountain View. The client may schedule a ride for any purpose but must provide at least one week advance notice. A fee is charged based on distance.

TIP: Regional Transit Connection Discount Cards for Seniors and Passengers with Disabilities

The purpose of this program is to provide eligible individuals with fare discounts as mandated by state and federal law. With a RTC Discount Card, persons with qualifying disabilities and senior citizens (65 or over) are entitled to a reduced fare on fixed-route bus, rail and ferry systems throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Call your local transit agency for details.

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