Expanding
Transportation Options
The
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights bill designed
to remove barriers that kept persons with disabilities from participating
in all areas of life. In effect, it guaranteed that all forms of
transportation, including buses and trains, must become accessible
to all people.
A
variety of services are available in Fairfield and
New Haven Counties to serve travelers with disabilities, including
wheelchair accessible buses and paratransit/shared-ride vans.
The
Connecticut Department of Transportation published "Getting
On Board - The Southwestern Connecticut Accessible Transportation
Guide" that includes a listing of services available
in southwestern Connecticut.
*
the handbook requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to download a free version
of the reader click
here
For
a free copy or copies, please call MetroPool at:
1-800-FIND-RIDE (800-346-3743)
For complete information on the services available in your area,
call your local transit provider.
Public
transportation users who are disabled with a mobility impairment
or are at least 65 years of age may take advantage of the Connecticut
Department of Transportation's reduced senior / disabled fare policy.
This ID Card may be used on all ConnDOT-sponsored buses. For information,
contact your local transit provider at the number listed below.
ADA
paratransit services are limited to those who cannot, because of
their disabilities, get to bus stops or access buses. They operate
within 3/4 mile of bus stops on local routes. To use ADA services,
riders must be eligible and certified according to the Americans
with Disabilities Act. Certification forms are available through
transit district offices.
MTA
Metro-North Railroad
Metro-North
railroad stations are wheelchair accessible. Consult the timetable
for information on a specific station. A reduced fare program is
available to the disabled. Disabled persons must present a valid
MTA Disabled Identification Card. The reduced fare is not valid
on Manhattan-bound morning peak hour trains.
Phone:
1-800-METRO-INFO (800-638-7646)
Hearing Impaired call: 1-800-724-3322.
Shore
Line East Railroad
The
Connecticut Department of Transportation's Shore Line East commuter
rail service operates between Old Saybrook and New Haven. At least
one car per train is wheelchair accessible.
Phone:
1-800-255-7433.
Amtrak
Amtrak
provides service over two routes in Connecticut. The Northeast Corridor
operates between Boston and New York City's Penn Station (and points
beyond) via New London, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford. The
Hartford Line operates between Springfield and New Haven. "Amtrak's
America," a travel planner containing rail travel
information and a special section on services for disabled travelers.
To
request a copy, call 1-800-872-7245.
Hearing
Impaired with access to TDD equipment
Phone: 1-800-523-6590.
Stamford
Area
CTTRANSIT buses are wheelchair accessible and are
equipped with a kneeling feature, which allows the driver to lower
the steps to make it easier for passengers to board.
For
additional information:
Stamford area: 203-327-7433 (TDD 327-2404)
New Haven area: 203-624-0151 (TDD 785-8930)
Paratransit van
services are provided in the Stamford area by Norwalk Transit District.
To request an application form and for additional information call
Norwalk Transit District:
203-299-5180 (TDD 299-5183)
Norwalk
Area
Norwalk Transit District buses
are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with a kneeling feature,
which allows the driver to lower the steps to make it easier for
passengers to board.
Administrative Offices: 203-852-0000
Schedules/Information: 203-299-5170 (TDD 299-5173)
Norwalk
Transit District operates local and inter-town door-to-door van
services for people with disabilities in seven towns and complementary
ADA service in Westport, Norwalk, Stamford, Darien and Greenwich.
Phone: 203-299-5180 (TDD 299-5183)
Bridgeport
Area
Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority buses are
wheelchair accessible and are equipped with a kneeling feature,
which allows the driver to lower the steps to make it easier for
passengers to board.
Administrative Offices: 203-366-7070 (TDD 330-0657)
Schedules/Information: 203-333-3031 (TDD 330-0668)
The
Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority's People to Places program
serves Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Trumbull, Easton and Monroe.
All
Paratransit vehicles are lift-equipped. Must be ADA eligible and
certified.
ID card applications: 203-366-7070 (TDD 330-0657)
Reservations: 203-335-4147 (TDD 336-1113)
Danbury
Area
Housatonic
Area Regional Transit (HART):
SweetHART program serves Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Newtown, New
Fairfield, New Milford, Redding, and Ridgefield.
HART
Fixed Route Bus vehicles are lift-equipped.
Phone: 203-744-4070.
Most HART Paratransit service vehicles are lift-equipped.
Must be ADA eligible and certified.
Phone: 203-744-4070.
Northeast
Transportation Company:
All fixed route vehicles are lift-equipped.
Phone: 800-441-8901.
All Paratransit service vehicles are lift-equipped; and must be
ADA eligible and certified.
Phone: 800-441-8901
Valley
Area
Valley Transit District buses are wheelchair accessible.
Valley Transit District's primary responsibilities are to provide
Dial-A-Ride and ADA complementary paratransit van services in four
towns throughout the Valley area - Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.
Administrative/Customer Service:
203-735-6824 (TDD 734-4616)
Dial-A-Ride/ADA Paratransit Van Services:
203-735-6408 (TDD 734-4616)
Contact
MetroPool for further information: contact
us.
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