P a r a  T r a n s i t  a n d  D i s a b l e d  S e r v i c e s

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 New Haven and Fairfield Counties to serve travelers with disabilities, including wheelchair accessible buses and paratransit/shared-ride vans. The Connecticut Department of Transportation publishes a "Disabled Commuters Guide" that includes a listing of services available throughout the state. For a copy, in New Haven County call Rideworks at 1-800-ALL-RIDE or in Fairfield County call MetroPool at 1-800-FIND-RIDE. 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. For more information call Metro-North at 1-800-METRO-INFO or 1-800-638-7646; the hearing impaired may 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. For more information call Rideworks at 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 may call 1-800-523-6590.

CTTRANSIT
CTTRANSIT vehicles are equipped with kneeling feature which allows the driver to lower the steps to make it easier for passengers to board. They also have a wheelchair life platform which lowers to the curb to life a wheelchair onto the bus. The platform may also be used upon request by other passengers with mobility limitations. For additional information, in New Haven call 1-203-624-0151 (TDD 785-8930); in Stamford call 1-203-327-7433 (TDD 327-2404)

Bridgeport Area
Greater Bridgeport Transit District (GBTD): Fixed Route Bus Most vehicles are lift-equipped.
Administrative offices: 1-203-366-7070 (TDD 330-0657)
Schedules/Information: 1-203-333-3031 (TDD 330-0668)
Greater Bridgeport Transit District (GBTD):
People to Places Serving Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Trumbull, Easton and Monroe.
Paratransit service; all vehicles are lift-equipped. Must be ADA eligible and certified.
ID card applications: 1-203-366-7070 (TDD 330-0657)
Reservations: 1-203-335-4147 (TDD 336-1113)

Danbury Area
Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART): SweetHART Serving Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Newtown, New Fairfield, New Milford, Redding, and Ridgefield.Fixed Route Bus vehicles are lift-equipped. Telephone: 1-203-744-4070.
Paratransit service; most vehicles are lift-equipped. Must be ADA eligible and certified. Telephone: 1-203-744-4070. Northeast Transportation Company: Fixed Route Bus All vehicles are lift-equipped. Telephone: 1-800-441-8901.
Northeast Transportation Company: Paratransit Service All vehicles are lift-equipped; must be ADA eligible and certified. Telephone: 1-800-441-8901


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