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Transit System - Disabled Passengers

Overview

Reduced Fare Program for Disabled Persons, revised March 4, 2002.

Qualified disabled individuals are entitled to a reduced fare of no less than one-half of the full fare.

To qualify for a reduced fare, upon boarding the bus, disabled individuals must present one of the following identification documents:

A reduced fare card from either the Hammond Transit System or another transit provider.

-OR-

A Medicare Card.

Obtaining an HTS Reduced Fare Card

To obtain an HTS reduced fare card, disabled individuals must:

Complete an HTS Disabled Certification Form.

-AND EITHER-

Be certified by a qualified health care provider. (click here for instructions)

-OR-

Must be receiving Social Security benefits.

-OR-

Must have a Medicare Card.

-OR-

Must be certified by another transit provider.

-OR-

Must be receiving 100% V.A. benefits.

Upon approval of your certification form, you will receive your valid reduced fare card. You will then be entitled to travel on all Hammond Transit System buses for a reduced fare.

The reduced fare card will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue (unless otherwise specified on certification form by your health care provider).

In order to renew your reduced fare card, you must phone or come into the Hammond Transit office prior to the time of expiration and request a new card.

You may be required to be recertified before receiving a new reduced fare card.

Disabled Application Form

Important Application Instructions

This application is available in alternative formats for disabled applicants. Please call the Transit System office at 219-853-6513 for more information.

Follow the instructions below that pertain to you.

Instructions for applicant receiving Social Security benefits:

	Complete only Section A of the Disabled Certification form.
	You must provide the Hammond Transit System with a current Third Party Query (TPQY) form. This form can be obtained from the local Social Security Office or by telephoning the SSO at 1-800-772-1213.
	Return the completed form, current TPQY form, and a copy of your photo I.D. to: HAMMOND TRANSIT SYSTEM, 425 SIBLEY STREET, HAMMOND, INDIANA, 46320

Instructions for applicant with a Medicare card:

	Complete only Section A of the Disabled Certification form.
	You must provide the Hammond Transit System with a current Third Party Query (TPQY) form. This form can be obtained from the local Social Security Office or by telephoning the SSO at 1-800-772-1213.
	Return the completed form, current TPQY form, and a copy of your photo I.D. to: HAMMOND TRANSIT SYSTEM, 425 SIBLEY STREET, HAMMOND, INDIANA, 46320

Instructions for applicant with a Medicare card:

	Complete only Section A of the Disabled Certification form.
	Return the completed form, a copy of your Medicare card, and a copy of your photo I.D. to: HAMMOND TRANSIT SYSTEM, 425 SIBLEY STREET, HAMMOND, INDIANA, 46320.

Instructions for applicant certified by another transit provider:

	Complete only Section A of the Disabled Certification form.
	Return the completed form, proof of your eligibility by another transit provider, and a copy of your photo I.D. to: HAMMOND TRANSIT SYSTEM, 425 SIBLEY STREET, HAMMOND, INDIANA, 46320

Instructions for applicant receiving 100% V.A. Disability benefits:

	Complete only Section A of the Disabled Certification form.
	Have your V.A. official read the corresponding instructions.
	A V.A. official must issue a letter certifying your disability on V.A. letterhead and return the completed forms and a copy of your photo I.D. to: HAMMOND TRANSIT SYSTEM, 425 SIBLEY STREET, HAMMOND, INDIANA, 46320

Upon approval of your certification form, you will receive your valid reduced fare card. You will then be entitled to travel on all Hammond Transit System buses for a reduced fare.

The reduced fare card will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue (unless otherwise specified on certification form by your health care provider).

In order to renew your reduced fare card, you must phone or come into the Hammond Transit office prior to the time of expiration and request a new card.

You may be required to be recertified before receiving a new reduced fare card.

Lost or Stolen Reduced Fare Card

If you lose your reduced fare card, the first replacement card will cost $5.00. Thereafter, each replacement card will cost you $10.00.

Chapter VI Federal Transit Administration Regulations

609.3 Definitions.
As used herein:
"Elderly and handicapped persons" means those individuals who, by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, including those who are nonambulatory wheelchair-bound and those with semi-ambulatory capabilities, are unable without special facilities or special planning or design to utilize mass transportation facilities and services as effectively as persons who are not so affected.

609.23 Reduced Fare.
Applicants for financial assistance under Section 5 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1604), must, as a condition to receiving such assistance, give satisfactory assurances, in such manner and form as may be required by the Federal Transit Administrator and in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Federal Transit Administrator may prescribe, that the rates charged elderly and handicapped persons during non-peak hours for transportation utilizing or involving the facilities and equipment of the project financed with assistance under this section will not exceed one-half of the rates generally applicable to other persons at peak hours, whether the operation of such facilities and equipment is by the applicant or is by another entity under lease or otherwise.

Eligibility Criteria

Definition of the Transportation Disabled:

A mass transportation disability is any incapacity or disability which results in the inability of a person to perform one or more of the following functions necessary for the effective use of mass transportation facilities without significant difficulty:

	Walking more than one block;
	Negotiating a flight of stairs or escalator;
	Boarding or alighting from a standard bus or train;
	Standing in a moving bus or train;
	Sitting down and getting up;
	Reading informational signs;
	Hearing announcements.

Incapacities or disabilities which might cause a person to have significant difficulty performing one of the aforementioned functions include (but are not necessarily limited to):

	Any disability requiring the use of walkers, crutches, wheelchairs or other such devices;
	One or more missing limbs (or partial limbs);
	Special sensory disorders such as legal blindness or 50% bilateral hearing loss uncorrectable by use of a hearing aid;
	Cardiovascular or respiratory impairment which significantly interferes with coordination, endurance or strength;
	Neurological diseases which significantly interfere with coordination, strength or endurance such as polio, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or paralysis;
	Significant musculo-skeletal impairment such as muscular dystrophy or sever rheumatism or arthritis; or
	Significant mental or psychological impairment.

Exclusions:

A person is not to be considered as eligible for the reduced fare program if his or her sole incapacity or disability is:

	Pregnancy;
	Obesity;
	Impairment due to drugs or alcohol;
	Controlled epilepsy;
	A contagious disease; or
	Any other mental or physical condition which would constitute a danger to the cardholder or to other riders.

Note:

Any incapacity or disability which causes a person to have significant difficulty in utilizing mass transportation facilities must be so certified by a duly qualified health care provider.