Santa Clarita Transit is dedicated to offering reliable transportation solutions for everyone in the Santa Clarita Valley, including specialized services for individuals with age-related needs or disabilities. Understanding your options for medical appointments and essential travel is crucial, and this guide will explain the Dial-A-Ride and Access Services available to you in Santa Clarita, CA. These services are designed to ensure that residents have access to the medical transport they need, right here in Santa Clarita.
Dial-A-Ride provides a convenient curb-to-curb paratransit service for eligible elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and even the general public during specific hours. Whether you need to get to a doctor’s appointment, therapy session, or any other medical related visit, Dial-A-Ride offers a flexible solution within the Santa Clarita Valley. Trips are not prioritized, meaning you can use this service for any purpose, enhancing your independence and access to healthcare services.
Who Can Use Dial-A-Ride for Medical Transport?
To utilize Dial-A-Ride for your medical transportation needs, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Santa Clarita residents who are 60 years of age or older, or those with a certified disability, are eligible to use Dial-A-Ride at any time during its operational hours. This ensures that seniors and individuals with disabilities have consistent access to medical transport services.
For those who do not meet these criteria, Dial-A-Ride is also available to the general public after 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. This expanded availability ensures that even individuals with temporary medical needs or those assisting someone with medical appointments in the evening can access reliable transportation. All bookings are subject to availability, so it’s always best to plan ahead, especially for medical appointments.
How to Register for Medical Transport with Dial-A-Ride
Registering for Dial-A-Ride is a straightforward process. To begin, simply call (661-294-9327). During the registration call, you will be asked to provide your local address and phone number. For unrestricted access to Dial-A-Ride services as a senior or person with a disability, you will need to provide proof of age or disability. This ensures that those who rely on these services for medical transport can readily access them.
Once the brief registration process is complete, you will receive a customer identification number. This number will be necessary when scheduling your medical transport reservations. With your ID, booking your ride to your next doctor’s appointment or medical facility becomes a simple task.
Dial-A-Ride Hours for Medical Appointments
Dial-A-Ride operates during hours designed to accommodate a wide range of schedules, including medical appointments. Service hours are from 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. These extensive hours ensure that you can schedule transportation for early morning appointments or late afternoon treatments.
For general public use (after 6:00 p.m.), hours are from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. While these hours are more limited, they still provide options for evening medical needs if space is available.
Booking Your Medical Ride and Contact Information
To book your medical transport with Dial-A-Ride or to register for the service, please call the dedicated customer service line at (661) 294-9327. The phone lines are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. Reservations can be made between one and seven days in advance, including weekends and holidays when the service is operational. Planning ahead is highly recommended to secure your preferred time for medical appointments.
When you call, an automated phone system will guide you. If you have an existing Dial-A-Ride ID, you’ll enter it followed by the # key. If you are a new user or don’t have an ID, simply press the # key to be connected to a Customer Service Agent (CSA). Please remain on the line until a CSA becomes available to assist you with your medical transport needs. Calls are answered in the order they are received, ensuring fair and efficient service.
Dial-A-Ride Fares for Medical Transport
| ### Dial-A-Ride (DAR) Fares |
|---|
| Dial-A-Ride (DAR) provides curb-to-curb local service to all areas in the City of Santa Clarita and within 3/4 of a mile from any Santa Clarita Transit local bus stop in unincorporated areas. |
| Fares |
| General Public |
| General Public using TAP card |
| Senior/Disabled |
| Senior/Disabled using TAP card |
| Children 5 and under |
| Personal Care Attendants |
| Companions |
Dial-A-Ride offers affordable fares for medical transport within Santa Clarita. The standard fare for both the general public and senior/disabled riders is $2.25. If you use a TAP card, the fare is reduced to $2.00. Children 5 and under ride free, and personal care attendants accompanying eligible riders also ride free. Companions pay the standard fare of $2.25. These fare options make medical transport accessible and budget-friendly for Santa Clarita residents.
For more detailed information, you can download the Dial-A-Ride Brochure (*PDF). You can also find information regarding Safety Straps for Mobility Devices (*PDF) to ensure a safe and comfortable medical transport experience.
ACCESS SERVICES (AS) for Broader Medical Transport Needs
For individuals whose disabilities prevent them from using fixed-route bus services, Access Services (AS) offers comparable paratransit services, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Within the Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Clarita Transit provides both Dial-A-Ride and Access Services. Access Services expands your medical transport options beyond Santa Clarita, covering the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and the Los Angeles Basin via transfer trips. This is particularly beneficial for specialized medical treatments or appointments outside of Santa Clarita.
Eligibility for Access Services Medical Transport
Access Services has specific eligibility requirements to ensure that those who genuinely need this service for medical transport can access it. All riders are required to present their AS I.D. card when boarding an Access Services vehicle. This helps drivers verify rider identity and trip details, ensuring efficient and secure service. If your AS I.D. card is lost or stolen, it’s crucial to immediately call the Access Services Customer Service Center at (800) 827-0829. A replacement card is available for a $5.00 fee, and riders must have their I.D. card to board.
To determine if you qualify for Access Services due to a disability that prevents you from using fixed-route services, you can Determine your Access Services eligibility online.
Registration and Contact Lines for Access Services Medical Transport
To register as an Access Services customer for medical transport, or for any commendations, concerns, or inquiries, please call the Access Services Customer Service Line at (800) 827-0829. The customer service line is available from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To make a reservation for Access Services medical transport, call the dedicated Access Services Reservation Line at (800) 883-1295, also available from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Reservations can be made one to seven days in advance, including weekends and serviceable holidays.
Access Services Hours and Service Area for Medical Appointments
Access Services operates with hours mirroring Dial-A-Ride within Santa Clarita: 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The service area for Access Services is mandated by the ADA to cover areas within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed-route bus stop, encompassing most of Los Angeles County. However, service is not available in areas without regular fixed-route bus service.
For medical trips outside of Santa Clarita, such as to the Antelope Valley or San Fernando Valley, transfer opportunities are available at Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar. Up to eight transfer opportunities are offered during weekdays and three on weekends and select holidays. Transfer times are structured to facilitate connections:
| Weekdays | Weekends/Holidays |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | |
| 7:30am | 7:30am |
| 10:00am | |
| 12:30am | 12:30pm |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:30pm | |
| 6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| 8:00pm |
Access Services Fares for Medical Transport
| Santa Clarita | $2.00 |
|---|---|
| Trips outside of Santa Clarita, but under 20 miles | $2.75 |
| Trips 20 miles or longer | $3.50 |
| Children under 5 | Free |
Access Services fares are structured based on the trip distance. For medical transport within Santa Clarita, the fare is $2.00. Trips outside Santa Clarita but under 20 miles are $2.75, and trips 20 miles or longer are $3.50. Children under 5 ride free. Please note that exact fare is required when boarding the vehicle.
For comprehensive details, refer to the Access Services Guide .
Santa Clarita Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
Santa Clarita Transit values the input of the community, especially seniors and people with disabilities, through the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). The AAC provides guidance on the quality of programs and services, ensuring that medical transport and other services are continuously improved to meet the needs of all users. The committee includes riders who use Santa Clarita Transit services, are over 60, or have disabilities, as well as representatives from agencies serving these populations in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Reasonable Modifications for Accessible Medical Transport
Santa Clarita Transit is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and offers reasonable modifications to policies to accommodate the special needs of individuals with disabilities using any of its services, including medical transport.
If you require special accommodations while using Santa Clarita Transit for medical appointments, please call 661-295-6300. You can also make a request by mail to 28250 Constellation Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 or via email through the santaclaritatransit.com website.
Examples of reasonable modifications include allowing medication administration in transit, accommodating food needs related to medical conditions, adjusting pick-up/drop-off locations for safety and accessibility, and priority boarding. However, requests that fundamentally alter the service, pose a safety threat, create undue burden, or are unnecessary for service use will not be approved. Santa Clarita Transit strives to provide accessible and reliable medical transport services for everyone in the community.
