Qualifying for ADA Paratransit

In order to access ADA complementary paratransit transportation you must:

• Complete the application and have a medical professional with whom you are familiar complete the Professional Verification portion
• Reside within 3/4 of a mile of an existing FRTA bus route
• Your trips must be scheduled to occur in conjunction with the times that the fixed-route system is in operation. Hours do vary depending on the fixed route schedule so you should refer to the Schedules & Maps for availability.
• Trips may be scheduled from one (1) to fourteen (14) days in advance

Please contact our office at (413) 774-2262 if you would like an application sent to you. 

Within 21 days of receipt of the application, FRTA will review and determine rider’s eligibility for ADA services.  If determination has not been made within the 21 days, the applicant will be considered eligible for ADA services on day 22 until formal determination by FRTA.

The FRTA’s ADA Paratransit services are for individuals who are unable to independently ride the FRTA’s accessible fixed-route system and meet one or more of the following criteria:

Unconditional
This is granted to a person if their disability (functional or cognitive) prevents him/her from using the fixed route bus service for any trip.

Conditional
This is granted to a person that can use buses under certain circumstances, but needs to utilize our services under certain conditions, such as weather conditions or barriers to a particular trip by bus.

Temporary
This is granted to a person on a temporary basis. The length of time will vary depending on the medical necessity.

All information relative to FRTA services are available in alternative forms by request, such as: braille, cassette tape and large print formats.

All Demand Response and ADA consumers are required to wear seatbelts in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws unless there is documentation of a medical condition that prohibits their use.   Refusal to wear seatbelt will be documented by the driver and the FRTA will not be held liable for injury as a result of this.