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With the adoption in 1992 of the PTCC Application for ADA Complementary Paratransit Service, transit operators in the San Francisco Bay Area took a major step toward creating a regional approach to eligibility determinations. This application process is covered in Section 2.

Section 5 provides an overview of other aspects of the regional process that have been adopted by the operators in the nine counties. Included is information on the ADA Regional Eligibility Database -- the management system that provides all operators with information on the eligibility status of Bay Area ADA riders.

Transit operators in the region have also agreed upon a standard recertification process and a uniform approach to ADA paratransit eligibility for visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area. Both topics are addressed in this section. The operators are also working to adopt regional guidelines for the provision of interagency paratransit services (regional trips). Information on interagency trips can be obtained from transit operators.

To help facilitate communication among ADA certification staff, the final components of Section 5 list all the regional transit operators and paratransit services providers (i.e. brokers) -- along with a Peer-to-Peer form to assist with this communication. A list of phone numbers is also included to obtain information on the nine paratransit coordinating councils or committees in the region.

5.2 ADA Regional Eligibility Database

The ADA Regional Eligibility Database (RED) is an information management system for the 21 transit operators in the San Francisco Bay Area. This computerized database provides a mechanism for transit operators in the region to share eligibility information. Within minutes, and at any hour of the day, an operator can access information on all persons certified for ADA paratransit service throughout the region.

The RED is also the source of information for generating standard and customized reports and statistical documents for the 21 local operators or for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Once information is entered on an applicant, the ADA Regional Eligibility Database can be used to:

Track applications at all stages of the eligibility determination process.
Update additional information obtained on an applicant.
Enter eligibility determinations on each client.
Update changes and eligibility information as needed.

The database can also be used to generate a variety of correspondence to the applicants. Consult the ADA Regional Eligibility Database User Manual for more information.

For more information see the ADA Regional Eligibility Database User Manual (Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Oakland, CA), 1997.

A copy of the manual should be on file at every local broker or operator's office.

ADA Regional Eligibility Database -- The Daily Process

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED

Applicants throughout the region submit ADA paratransit applications or additional application information to local transit operators or paratransit brokers.

LOCAL DATA ENTRY

Local transit operators enter and/or update information in the ADA Regional Eligibility Database. Information is stored in the applicant's file on local operator's computer.

DATA TRANSFERRED TO MTC

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) -- the regional administrator -- obtains updated information each night from local transit operators. This information travels by telephone lines from local transit offices to the MTC office in Oakland.

DATA CONSOLIDATED BY MTC

The MTC computer in Oakland processes applicant records from all 21 transit operators and creates a single "consolidated" file containing all the information received that day.

DATA TRANSFERRED TO PARATRANSIT PROVIDERS

The MTC computer returns this consolidated information by phone to the computers at each of the transit operator or paratransit provider sites.

When the local Regional Eligibility Database is activated, the "consolidated" file is processed during the "morning update." Any new or changed regional information is reflected in the new eligibility file.

5.3 Eligibility for Visitors to the Region

Visitors with disabilities who come into the San Francisco Bay Area from outside the nine-counties are entitled to complementary paratransit service throughout the region for up to 21 days within a 365-day period. Because the nine counties operate under a regional process a visitor applying for ADA paratransit service in one area is entitled to service provided by all transit operators in the region.

Section 37.127 of the ADA Requires that each transit entity having a complementary paratransit system provide service to visitors from out of town on the same basis as is provided to local residents.
A copy of the Regional Visitor Policy is in Appendix C.

Q Is there a regional policy on visitors?

Yes. The region has adopted a policy for persons with disabilities who visit from outside the region. (See Appendix C.)

Q Who are considered visitors?

Persons with a disability whose primary residence is outside the nine-county area.

Q What is the process for ADA eligible visitors to obtain service within the region?

To be certified for visitor eligibility, visitors should contact the transit operator with whom they want their first trip. This can be done by phone, TDD, fax, or letter either before or upon arrival in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Q What proof of ADA eligibility are visitors required to show?

Visitors are asked to show or send in a copy of one of the following:

an ADA eligibility card or letter from a region outside of the nine counties; or
proof of address and documentation of transportation disability (if not readily apparent); or
proof of address and a completed Bay Area Application for ADA Complementary Paratransit.

Q What other information is required from visitors?

All visitors are required to provide a minimum amount of information so they can be entered into the Regional Eligibility Database. Visitors will be assigned a Visitor's ID number when entered into the RED. A visitor's record remains in the database for one year.

Q How are the 21 days of service for visitors calculated?

Visitors are eligible for paratransit service for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period beginning with the visitor's first use of service.

Q Can a visitor returning to the San Francisco Bay Area reapply for visitor eligibility?

Visitors returning to the region whose paratransit eligibility has expired must reapply for visitor status. Visitors needing more than 21 days service within one year will be asked to apply for the regional ADA para-transit program.

Q What, if any, special paratransit services do visitors to the region receive?

None. Visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area are treated exactly like ADA paratransit eligible persons in the region. Times of service, fares, scheduling procedures, and other services are the same for both the local consumer and the visitor.

Visitors are also encouraged to use fixed-route services for all trips possible.

5.4 Regional Recertification Process

Throughout the nine-county region the 21 transit operators have agreed that:

Recertification should occur every three years.
Every person, regardless of disability, must reapply every three years.
The full regional ADA eligibility application form be used for this process.

The ADA regulations specify that transit operators can require that consumers periodically reapply for ADA paratransit eligibility.

Whatever regional recertification policy is in place, the ADA requires that individuals have the right to request a new eligibility determination if they believe there has been a change in their situation.

Q Why is recertification necessary?

The number of accessible vehicles in the fixed route service may have increased.
Improvements in technology and/or operating procedures have allowed for increased use of fixed route by persons with disabilities.
Transit stations have been rebuilt -- making them accessible.
There are changes in the number and/or location or conditions of bus stops that make them more accessible. Examples are benches, lighting, enclosed or covered transit stops.
There has been an increase in the number of curb cuts or sidewalks in the city.
To update information on the consumer (the individual's circumstances may have changed).
Experience of operators is resulting in more accurate determinations. It's important when providing such an expensive resource that only those meeting guidelines as established by the ADA and adopted by operators are certified. Regular review can help insure the validity of our process.

5.5 Regional Transit Operators and Paratransit Service Providers

Transit Operators

AC Transit (Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District)
Acessible Services
1600 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612
phone: (510) 891-4843
fax: (510) 891-4874

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
800 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94604
phone: (510) 464-6184
fax: (510) 464-6196
TDD/TTY: (510) 839-2220

City of Benicia Transit
250 East L Street
Benicia, CA 94510
phone: (707) 746-4223
fax: (707) 747-8115

Cities of Fairfield
Fairfield/Suisun Transit
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
phone: (707) 428-7590
fax: (707) 426-3298

County Connection Link
(Central Contra Costa Transit Authority)
2477 Arnold Industrial Way
Concord, CA 94520
phone: (510) 676-1976
fax: (510) 687-3247

Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District
P.O. Box 9000, Presidio Station
San Francisco, CA 94129-0601
phone: (415) 921-5858
fax: (415) 257-4516
TDD/TTY: (415) 257-4554
Website: http://www.goldengate.org

LAVTA
(Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority)
1362 Rutan Court, Suite 100
Livermore, CA 94550
phone: (925) 455-7555
fax: (925) 443-1375

MCTD
(Marin County Transit District)
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
phone: (415) 499-6099
fax: (415) 499-6939
TDD/TTY: (415) 499-6172

Muni
(San Francisco Municipal Railway)
949 Presidio Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94115
phone: (415) 923-6142
fax: (415) 923-6307
TDD/TTY: (415) 351-3443

Napa Valley Transit and the VINE
P.O. Box 660
Napa, CA 94559-0660
phone: (707) 257-9520
fax: (707) 257-9522
TDD/TTY: (707) 226-9722
Website: http://www.cityofnapa.org
(select Transit from menu)

City of Petaluma Transit
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952-2610
phone: (707) 778-4421
fax: (707) 778-4437

SamTrans
(San Mateo County Transit District)
Redi Wheels
1250 San Carlos Avenue
P.O. Box 3006
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
phone: (650) 508-6475
fax: (650) 508-7945

Santa Rosa CityBus
P.O. Box 1678
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-1678
phone: (707) 543-3325
fax: (707) 543-3326

Solano Transportation Authority
333 Sunset Avenue, Suite 220
Suisun City, CA 94585
phone: (707) 422-6491
fax: (707) 432-1947

Sonoma County Transit
355 West Robles Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
phone: (707) 585-7516
fax: (707) 585-7713
TDD/TTY: (707) 585-9817

TriDelta
(Eastern Contra Costa County Transit Authority)
801 Wilbur Avenue
Antioch, CA 94509
phone: (925) 754-6622
fax: (925) 757-2530
TTD/TTY: (925) 754-3695

Union City Transit
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
phone: (510) 471-3232 x307
fax: (510) 475-7318
TDD/TTY: (800) 735-2929 (California Relay Service)

City of Vacaville
650 Merchant Street
Vacaville, CA 95688
phone: (707) 449-5170
fax: (707) 449-5377

Vallejo Transit
555 Santa Clara Avenue
Vallejo, CA 94590
phone: (707) 648-5229
fax: (707) 648-4691

VTA
Valley Transportation Authority
3331 N. First Street
San Jose, CA 95134-1906
phone: (408) 321-7034
fax: (408) 955-9754

WestCAT (Western Contra Costa Transit Authority)
601 Walter Avenue
Pinole, CA 94564
phone: (510) 724-3331
fax: (510) 724-5551

TDD/TTY: (800) 735-2929 (California Relay Service)

ADA Paratransit Service Providers

AC Transit and BART have the same paratransit service provider:
East Bay Paratransit Consortium
Intelitran
1720 Broadway, Suite 310
Oakland, CA 94612
phone: (510) 287-5000
fax: (510) 268-0719

Whistlestop Wheels
930 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
phone: (415) 456-9062
fax: (415) 456-2858
(also service provider for Marin County Transit District)

Cerenio Management Group
5 Freelon Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
phone: (415) 543-9627
fax: (415) 543-1250
TTY: (415) 543-0918

Van Go
1820 Jefferson Street
Napa, CA 94558
phone: (707) 252-2600
fax: (707) 226-5179
TDD/TTY: (707) 254-1041

Petaluma People Services
1500A Petaluma Blvd. South
Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: (707) 765-8493
fax: (707) 765-8482

Volunteer Wheels
153 Stony Circle, Suite 100
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
phone: (707) 573-3377
fax: (707) 573-3380
TDD/TTY: (707) 573-3381

Solano Paratransit
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
phone: (707) 428-7590
fax: (707) 426-3298

Vallejo Roundabout
3215 Sonoma Blvd.
Vallejo, CA 94589
Phone: (707) 649-1909
Fax: (707) 649-2066
TDD/TTY: (707) 649-2075

OUTREACH
97 E. Brokaw Road
San Jose, CA 95112
phone: (408) 436-2865
fax: (408) 437-9499
TDD/TTY: (408) 436-0155
e-mail: transp@outreach1.org

5.6 Peer-to-Peer Network

A formal peer-to-peer network does not yet exist in the region but there is an active and informal network that connects ADA analysts and screeners across the San Francisco Bay Area.

5.7 Paratransit Consumer Groups in the San Francisco Bay Area

Each county in the San Francisco Bay Area has a Paratransit Coordinating Council or committee which represents consumers with disabilities and seniors. Transit operators work closely with the nine councils to obtain input services. The ADA requires that there be public participation in planning for paratransit programs. For further information call the following numbers.

Alameda County Paratransit Coordinator	(510) 654-2738
Alameda County Program Manager, Services Review Advisory Committee	(510) 893-5949
Contra Costa County Paratransit Coordinator	(925) 939-9722
Marin County Transit Manager Marin County Transit District	(415) 499-6099
Napa County Transportation Planner, County of Napa	(707) 253-4351
San Francisco County Accessible Services San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni)	(415) 923-6142
San Mateo County Crain & Associates	(650) 323-3444
Santa Clara County Accessible Services Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)	(408) 321-7034
Solano County Project Manager Solano Transportation Authority	(707) 438-0655
Sonoma County Executive Director Sonoma County Transportation Authority	(707) 527-1943

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