TRANSPORTATION
The Metropolitan Transit Authority/Access Ride (MTA) is a paratransit van service in Nashville, Tennessee. MTA's address is 130 Nestor Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37210-2124, their phone number is 615-862-5969 and their website is www.nashvillemta.org
AccessRide Information
The Metropolitan Transit Authority's AccessRide program is a publicly funded paratransit service, which operates specialized van services for persons with disabilities who are unable to use regular fixed-route buses. AccessRide provides door-to-door paratransit service within Davidson County 1.5 miles from a regular bus route, excluding commuter or express service. AccessRide personnel are directly responsible for:
Certifying eligible paratransit passengers
Managing ridership accounts
Scheduling rides
Managing AccessRide customer service
Reporting service and financial information to the MTA
Providing travel training for people who would like to learn how to use fixed-route bus services
Ensuring all operators and staff are trained extensively for sensitivity awareness, vehicle operation and passenger assistance
Providing reliable van service through preventive maintenance
The Metropolitan Transit Authority AccessRide vans operate at similar times and in similar areas as existing fixed-route transit inside the Briley Parkway and surrounding corridors, excluding express and commuter service.
All information is available in accessible formats upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.).
Introduction to ADA Paratransit Service
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. As a major piece of civil rights legislation, the ADA protects the rights of all people without regard to their physical and/or cognitive disabilities.The ADA specifies all individuals have a right to be able to use available public transportation. The ADA requires that individuals not able to independently ride public buses be provided with an equivalent, complementary service for their transportation needs within the established service area.
ADA Paratransit
This complementary service is called ADA Paratransit. ADA Paratransit is provided to persons who, because of their disabilities, are unable to independently ride a bus. ADA Paratransit must be provided within the same geographic service area and during the same service hours as fixed route bus service. The maximum fare a public transportation provider can charge for standard ADA Paratransit service is twice the adult one-way bus fare.Eligibility for ADA Paratransit
Categories for ADA Eligibility
AccessRide provides service to persons whose temporary or permanent disabilities prevent their independent use of public transportation. To determine eligibility for paratransit service, individuals must complete an Application for ADA paratransit service and demonstrate, that because of their disability, they are unable to use MTA's fixed route bus service for one (or more) of the following three reasons: unable to independently ride a bus
unable to get on or off bus
unable to get to or from a bus stop
Application Forms for ADA Paratransit Service
Applications are available through MTA AccessRide. Or you can download a copy from the MTA web site. AccessRide's Eligibility Specialist is available to assist with the application process and answer questions regarding eligibility at (615) 880-3970, Ext. 1107 (8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m., Monday Friday). All application information is confidential.
Applications are also available in accessible formats upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.). The application form is available for download in three formats: Acrobat Readerฎ, text only and Microsoft Word.
AccessRide requires up to 2l days to process a completed application. Approved applicants will be notified and will receive a letter certifying eligibility, a paratransit identification (ID) card and a copy of the MTA AccessRide's Riders Guide. Visitors are eligible for service for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period beginning with the visitor's first use of service. Visitors returning to the region whose visitor eligibility has expired must reapply for visitor eligibility. Those planning to return to the region within an year, frequently visit the region or stay in the region over 21 days are encouraged to submit an application for AccessRide paratransit service.
Eligibility Process
1. Call MTA AccessRide. An application packet will be sent out for recertification.
First call MTA AccessRide ADA Paratransit Eligibility Specialist and ask her to mail you an application. If you need any help filling out the form, the interviewer will assist you at the interview. Please complete the requested Professional Verification Section of the application before scheduling the interview.2. Interview
Once the application is complete, including the Professional Certification, call to set up an in-person interview and functional assessment at (615) 880-3970, Ext. 1107 (8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m., Monday Friday). Do not mail or fax your application. Bring completed application with you to the interview. All persons seeking eligibility must set up an in-person interview. During the interview, the MTA AccessRide ADA Paratransit Eligibility Specialist will review the application with you and help complete it if necessary. We will also discuss your assessment of your own travel abilities and limitations in more detail. You must bring your primary mobility aid or aids that you would use when traveling in the community. You may be asked to participate in a functional assessment which might involve outdoor travel. Please dress accordingly. Transportation to and from the interview will be provided if necessary at no cost to the applicant. This process will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.3. Functional Assessment
The functional assessment is a mechanism to help determine whether the applicant has the ability to use MTA fixed route service and, if so, under what circumstances. Functional assessments are evaluations used to predict either physical or cognitive ability. The physical functional evaluation consists of a simulated trip to and from the bus. This includes boarding a bus, negotiating a curb and curb cut, and crossing the street. Skills evaluated include balance, strength, coordination and range of motion.
The Functional Assessment of Cognitive Transit Skills (FACTS) administered to applicants with cognitive disabilities. FACTS is a validated assessment tool designed to assess the transit skills of a person by using a simulated bus trip. Skills evaluated include bus travel skills, community safety skills and general orientation.
Those applicants with Visual Impairments will be given FACTS for Determining Eligibility for Individuals with Visual Disability and Guidelines for Evaluating Environmental Barriers. Variables in the environment as well as the applicant's ability to perform the tasks required to use the bus are considered.
4. A decision will be made within 21 days of a complete application, in-person interview, and functional assessment.
Scheduling a Ride Using ADA Paratransit Service
To schedule a ride, call AccessRide Reservations Office at (615) 880-3970. Press menu option 2, or email MTA your AccessRide reservation via our reservation form.
AccessRide business hours are from 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
If a complaint is filed, customers will be notified of a final resolution.
AccessRide Important Telephone Numbers
AccessRide Reservations Office: (615) 880-3970
AccessRide E-mail: accessreservations@nashville.gov
To obtain an AccessRide Application: (615) 880-3970, Ext. 1105
AccessRide Eligibility Specialist: (615) 880-3970, Ext. 1107
AccessRide Appeals Process: (615) 880-3970, Ext. 1191
After Hours Emergency Number: (615) 566-2463
AccessRide Fax Telephone Number: (615) 880-3294
AccessRide TTY: (615) 862-6130
