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