The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that public transportation agencies include complementary paratransit service. The aim is to facilitate people with disabilities who cannot navigate traditional fixed-route bus systems independently.
Jaunt provides door-to-door paratransit service to people with disabilities who are unable to use the local fixed route system through a sub-recipient arrangement with Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT), the City of Charlottesville, and Albemarle County. Passengers may use the service to travel to destinations within a three-quarter-mile radius of CATs fixed-route service. The population of customers who are entitled to this service have a federally protected civil right, as assigned by ADA regulations.
Applications
You must be pre-approved by a representative from CAT to use Jaunt’s ADA Paratransit Service. Applications for paratransit services may be picked up in person from the Downtown Transit Station located at 615 East Water Street or found online by clicking here.
CAT requires that forms be printed, signed, and either mailed or delivered in person.
By mail or in person:
Charlottesville Area Transit
Downtown Transit Station
615 East Water Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
CAT reviews applications and determines eligibility within twenty-one days of the receipt of the application. Applicants will be notified in writing of the status of their application. In some cases, CAT may ask an applicant to provide additional information regarding their impairment. If approved, instructions will be provided on how to schedule rides as well as how to obtain a CAT ADA ID.
Final Determination & Denial
If an eligibility determination for ADA Complementary Paratransit Service has not been made within twenty-one days of CAT receiving a completed application, the applicant will automatically obtain presumptive paratransit eligibility until a final determination is made. If an application is denied eligibility, the applicant has the option to appeal CATs decision.
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) has some very helpful tips for how to make your case for ADA Paratransit Eligibility. Visit their website to learn more.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page from the Federal Transit Administration to learn more about Paratransit and eligibility.
You can find information on Jaunt’s ADA policies and other relevant information for the general public regarding utilization of ADA paratransit services below and on the CAT website.
