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Paratransit Program for the Disabled

Overview

In order to be approved to participate in this program, you must complete the Paratransit Certification Form and mail it to:
Hammond Transit System
Dan Rabin Transit Plaza
425 Sibley Street
Hammond, Indiana 46320

Your certification form must be completed in full, and must include the name of your attending physician. If you do not indicate the name and address of your attending physician, your application will not be approved.

You need not submit a physician verification form along with your application. In the event the Hammond Transit System wishes to verify your disability, our office will contact the health care provider you have listed on your certification form.

Your application form will be processed within 21 days of the receipt of the application. Applications requiring verification by your health care provider will be closely monitored. In the event the requested verification is not received by Hammond Transit from your health care provider within 20 days from the date of your application, you will automatically be presumed eligible and issued a temporary certification card on the 21st day. In the event the health care verification does not support the disability claim indicated on your application, you will be notified of such documentation, and your certification to the program will be suspended. You may, at this time, file an appeal, and provide any pertinent information you feel will be appropriate to support your disability claim.

You will be notified in writing of your acceptance or denial to the program.

Upon notification of acceptance to the program, you will receive a voucher card which will be valid for the period indicated on the card. You may be required to be recertified on a yearly basis.

Your voucher card will indicate the name of the service providers which YOU must contact to schedule your trips. Information regarding trip scheduling will be provided to you with your certification card.

Should you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Paratransit Program Coordinator at 853-6513

Eligibility Criteria

The following outlines the eligibility standards and associated with the program.

You will be considered eligible for this program:

	If you are unable to board, ride, or disembark from an accessible vehicle.
	If you are unable, due to an impairment related condition, to get to the bus stop.
	If you cannot independently recognize the destination and disembark.
	If you have been certified by another transit provider to be paratransit eligible.

There are no income guidelines associated with this program.

Paratransit Application Form

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

Hours of Operation

The hours of service for this program are 5:45 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No Saturday, Sunday, or holiday service will be provided.

Service Area

The service area for this program is the same as that which is provided by the Hammond Transit System buses, and includes all areas of a mile beyond the current fixed-route bus service area. Service will not be provided beyond the boundaries of the following areas:

	All of Hammond, Whiting and Robertsdale.
	The entire East Side of Chicago.
	East Chicago, but not to areas in East Chicago past Indianapolis Boulevard and Columbus Drive.
	Munster, but not to areas in Munster past 45th Avenue and White Oak Avenue.
	Highland, but not to areas in Highland past Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard.
	Into Illinois, but not to areas in Illinois past Wentworth Avenue on the western boundary, and not to areas in Illinois past Ridge Road on the southern boundary.

ALL TRIPS MUST BEGIN AND END WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES INDICATED IN SERVICE AREA (described above).

There are no limits on the number of trips you can take. There are no limitations on the distance of the trip, or restrictions based on the purpose of your trip. However, this program will only provide you with trips within the H.T.S. service boundaries.

Fares and Guidelines

ALL TRIPS MUST BEGIN AND END WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES INDICATED ABOVE.

There are no limits on the number of trips you can take. There are no limitations on the distance of the trip, or restrictions based on the purpose of your trip. However, this program will only provide you with trips within the H.T.S. service boundaries.

You will be required to pay the driver $2.50 per one-way trip. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU PAY THE DRIVER A FARE WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF $2.50 FOR A ONE-WAY TRIP. This fare is based upon one origin and one destination per trip.

If you choose to have the driver take you to more than one destination, you will be charged $2.50 for each additional destination.

If you choose to have the driver wait for you, you will be charged for the waiting time in addition to the $2.50 on-way trip fare. Hammond Transit will not pay for waiting time. Hammond Transit will only pay for the actual trip time.

If you choose to have a companion ride along with you, you must indicate this at the time you schedule your trip. Your companion will be charged the same fare as you are charged for the trip. Companions will only be picked up and let off at the same location as you.

If you have been approved to ride with a personal care attendant when traveling, the personal care attendant will ride along with you free of charge. Your certification card will indicate whether you have been approved for a personal care attendant. Your personal care attendant will only be picked up and let off at the same locations as you.

If your certification card does not indicate that you have been approved for a personal care attendant, the person you take with you will be treated as a companion, and charged the same fare as you are charged.

Applicants are reminded that this is curb-to-curb service, not door-to-door service. Drivers will not be required to assist you from your door to the vehicle, or from the curbside to your door.

Additional information regarding this program will be forwarded to you at the time you are approved for this program.

Revised Visitor Policy

For the period of the visit, the visitor will be treated exactly like an eligible local user, without any higher priority being given to either.
A visitor is defined as someone who does not reside in the jurisdiction served by the Hammond Transit System.

	If an out-of-town individual is seeking to utilize the Hammond Transit paratransit service and is certified by another transit system as ADA eligible, this certification will be honored by the Hammond Transit System. The individual must contact the Hammond Transit System, and a temporary certification card will be issued.
	If an out-of-town individual does not have ADA certification by another transit system but makes a claim of eligibility, that claim will be honored subject to the following provisions:
	Proof that the individual is not a resident living within the local fixed route service area.
	In some instances whereby the impairment is not evident, medical documentation from a health care provider may be required.
	Eligible visitors will be served for no more than 21 days.
	Visitors who expect to reside within this service area longer than 21 days should apply for a regular eligibility as soon as he/she arrives.
	Visitors are subject to the same guidelines as local participants.

Notice: All information on this page is available in alternate formats upon request.