Types of Paratransit Eligibility

To qualify for RTS Access, you must have a disability that prevents you from traveling on RTS transit buses.

You may be certified for RTS Access service if you qualify under one of four types of paratransit eligibility: unconditional, conditional, temporary, and seasonal.

Unconditional Eligibility

This is provided when a condition or disability will not improve and prevents you from usingRTS fixed-route service. Unconditional eligibility certification:
• Doesn’t expire
• Doesn’t require recertification
• Is valid for a customer’s lifetime
RTS may review your unconditional certification status if your condition or disability changes. In this case, you would be subject to recertification that includes a functional assessment.

Conditional Eligibility

This applies if:
• You may gain independent skills over time, allowing you to use RTS fixed-route service for some or all of your trips.
- OR -
• The condition/disability that prevents you from traveling on RTS fixed-route service can improve over the course of your lifetime.
Conditional eligibility certification expires three years from the date it’s issued. It also requires recertification: to be recertified, you’ll need to have a functional assessment. This may include a one-on-one interview and verification from a certified dis­ability service provider and/or medical professional.

Temporary Eligibility

This eligibility certification:
• Expires within a specific time period
• Requires recertification
Temporary eligibility can apply during a period of recovery or rehabilitation. For example, you might have short-term physical impairments following surgery that prevent you from travel­ing on RTS fixed-route service. Recertification for temporary eligibility involves verification from a certified disability service provider and/or medical professional.

Seasonal Eligibility

This eligibility certification:
• Is available from October 1 through April 30
• Expires within a specific time period
• Requires recertification
Seasonal eligibility is granted when weather conditions, such as frigid temperatures or freez­ing rain and snow, impact your condition to the point that you are prevented from traveling on RTS fixed-route bus service. Recertification involves verification from a certified disability service provider and/or medical professional.