Special Transportation Services (STS) in Charlotte, North Carolina, are designed to provide accessible and reliable transportation options for individuals with disabilities. Operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), STS ensures that everyone, regardless of physical, cognitive, or visual impairments, can navigate the city effectively. This service is crucial for those who cannot utilize the standard fixed-route bus system due to their disabilities, aligning with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to guarantee transportation accessibility.
Understanding STS: Accessible Transportation for All
CATS Special Transportation Service is a pre-arranged, shared-ride service that offers origin-to-destination transportation. This paratransit service is specifically tailored for individuals certified as eligible due to disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route buses. STS operates under strict ADA guidelines, ensuring consistent and equitable service within its designated service area.
How to Schedule Your STS Trip
To utilize STS, riders must first be certified as eligible. Once certified, scheduling a trip is straightforward. Simply call 1.833.656.7699 to arrange your transportation. Remember, STS trips are pre-scheduled, so advance booking is necessary to ensure availability and timely service.
Delving into the STS Service Area
The operational area for STS is defined by ADA regulations as extending up to ¾ of a mile on either side of existing fixed or local bus routes. This coverage ensures that a significant portion of Charlotte is accessible through special transportation services. Service availability mirrors the fixed-route schedules in the area, meaning STS operates during the same days and times as the standard bus routes nearby.
It’s important to note that eligibility for STS isn’t solely based on residing within the service area. Even if your home is outside the ¾-mile radius, you can still be approved for STS. In such cases, riders are required to arrange pick-up and drop-off at locations within the designated service area.
Changes to CATS’ fixed-route bus service can impact the STS service area. Adjustments to bus routes may affect the availability of STS services from your residence or preferred destinations. It’s advisable to stay informed about any changes to fixed-route services that might influence your STS access.
Introducing STS+: Expanding Accessibility to Mint Hill
CATS is expanding its commitment to accessible transportation with STS+, a special transportation service extending into the Mint Hill area, starting in October 2024. STS+ mirrors the core STS model as a pre-scheduled, shared-ride, origin-to-destination, and curb-to-curb paratransit service. However, STS+ operates beyond the federally mandated ADA service area, showcasing CATS’ proactive approach to meeting community needs beyond minimum requirements.
This expansion to Mint Hill represents CATS’ dedication to providing excellent service and positive rider experiences for everyone, ensuring greater accessibility to goods, services, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Mint Hill region. STS+ is not just about compliance; it’s about enhancing community inclusivity and offering dependable commuting alternatives.
Applying for CATS Paratransit Services
Interested individuals can easily apply for CATS Paratransit through several convenient methods:
- Mail: Request an application by calling Paratransit at 833.656.7699 and selecting option 3.
- Fax: Obtain an application via fax by calling the same number, 833.656.7699 (option 3), and fax your completed form to 310.410.0239.
- Online: Visit ADA Ride to complete and submit your application online.
The application requires detailed information about your disability and how it prevents you from using CATS fixed-route services. Ensure all questions are answered comprehensively, and the professional verification section is completed by your healthcare provider. Incomplete applications will be returned, potentially delaying the process. Once completed, mail your application to: 19300 S. Hamilton Ave. Ste 120 Gardena, CA.
After STS receives your application, you might be contacted to schedule an in-person interview and possibly a functional assessment to further evaluate your eligibility.
Determining Your Eligibility for STS
Following the interview and assessment, applicants will receive a determination of their eligibility status, which can be:
- Eligible to ride: Full certification to use CATS STS.
- Eligible with conditions: Eligibility granted under specific conditions.
- Ineligible to ride: Application denied based on assessment results.
Eligible riders will receive a letter confirming their certification and STS usage eligibility. Applicants deemed ineligible or eligible with conditions have the right to appeal. An independent panel, including a person with a disability, reviews appeals to ensure fairness. Depending on the nature of your disability, a functional assessment by a professional may be required to confirm the inability to use fixed-route buses. CATS staff will inform you if this assessment is necessary.
ADA Regulations Shaping STS Eligibility
The ADA regulations mandate that CATS provide special transportation services to individuals with disabilities under specific conditions:
- Those unable to board, ride, or disembark from an accessible bus without assistance (excluding assistance from the bus operator with boarding devices).
- Individuals with specific impairment-related conditions that prevent them from traveling to or from a bus stop.
Factors Defining STS Eligibility
Eligibility for STS hinges on how your disability impacts your ability to use fixed-route buses, considering three primary factors:
- Accessibility to Bus Stops: Your ability to travel to and from bus stops independently.
- Boarding and Exiting Buses: Your physical capability to board and exit a standard bus.
- Cognitive Navigation of the System: Your cognitive ability to understand and navigate the fixed-route bus system.
Factors Not Considered for STS Eligibility
It’s important to understand what factors do not influence STS eligibility decisions:
- Age
- Distance to and from bus stops
- Lack of bus service in your area
- Overcrowding on buses
STS for Visitors to Charlotte
CATS STS extends its services to visitors who are not Charlotte residents. If you are visiting Charlotte and are certified as ADA paratransit eligible in your home jurisdiction, or if you can provide proof of residency and disability (if not apparent), you are eligible for visitor status. This allows you to utilize CATS STS for up to 21 days within a 365-day period.
To verify visitor eligibility, documentation can be faxed to 310.410.0239 or emailed to [email protected].
For any inquiries or further information regarding STS eligibility and certification, please contact the dedicated office at 833.656.7699. CATS is committed to ensuring accessible transportation for everyone in Charlotte, enhancing community mobility and independence through its Special Transportation Services.
