Paratransit eligible riders who need a lift to enter the when the driver arrives and expecting the driver to wait MAT Paratransit Overview Eligibility for MAT Paratransit vehicle can start making a reservation for Sunday at 8 more than 5 minutes or return at another time, making MAT PARATRANSIT a.m. the Monday before the ride. Those who do not multiple reservations then cancelling/rescheduling them MAT Paratransit is public transportation for persons with People with disabilities who are certified as “ADA need a lift can start making a reservation for Sunday at within several days, not having a ticket and expecting a Paratransit Eligible” may ride MAT Paratransit. 8 a.m. the Tuesday before the ride. ride on credit, or expecting the driver to change the disabilities who are unable to use Fargo-Moorhead MATBUS Transportation Fixed Route Bus Service without assistance. The vehicles destination of the scheduled ride. A Paratransit rider will What is ADA? have lifts to help people board who can’t negotiate stairs. The How to Apply be notified of disruptive behavior by letter. A pattern of ADA refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. disruptive behavior will result in a suspension. for Persons maximum weight limit for a MAT Paratransit Vehicle Lift is The ADA Law requires that transportation services such Applications are available at www.matbus.com, Ground 800 pounds, including the combined weight of the passenger as MAT Paratransit be provided to persons with physical Transportation Center (GTC), 502 NP Avenue, Fargo Service Animals with Disabilities and mobility device. Advance reservations are required. This and mental disabilities who are unable, because of their and Metro Transit Garage, 650 23rd St. N., Fargo. If you service is to the door, with drivers available to assist the rider disability, to utilize fixed route bus service without would like an application by mail, please call 701-235- Transit entities are required to permit service animals to between the vehicle and building. MAT Paratransit does not assistance. 4464. Following receipt of a completed application and accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and provide emergency medical service. professional verification, processing of the application facilities. Service animals are individually trained to Qualification may take up to three weeks. Once approved, you will perform tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding We Are a Shared Ride Service Qualification is based on the individual’s functional receive a Special User Card which indicates you are people who are blind or who have low vision, alerting MAT Paratransit is a shared ride service which means the capabilities rather than a specific medical diagnosis. eligible for MAT Paratransit. people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting a rider may not go directly to their destination without the Eligibility can be permanent, temporary, or conditional. person who is having a seizure, or performing other driver stopping to pick up or drop off other passengers along Cost to Ride special tasks. The work or tasks performed by a service Conditional Eligibility animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. the way. Paratransit provides over 200 rides per day. Driver If the applicant is considered eligible but only under certain Each passenger and guest must pay a fare. schedules are designed ahead of time to accommodate conditions, the reservationist will review each trip requested EXACT FARE REQUIRED Statement of Non-Discrimination these rides as efficiently as possible within the city limits of to see if that trip meets the conditions that were established Drivers do not give change. Moorhead, Dilworth, Fargo and West Fargo. when eligibility was determined. For example, a passenger  $3.00 cash The Cities of Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, may only be eligible for Paratransit during the winter when  $3.00 prepaid coupon Minnesota, do not discriminate against an individual on MATBUS Fixed Route Bus Service snow and ice are present. In this example, during the (Sold in books of 10 for $30 or 20 for $60) the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national summer the passenger would not be eligible for Paratransit. origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public Conditions are identified on your Special User Card. In the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, there are a PCAs assistance, disability, age or familial status and assures number of buses that travel on predetermined or fixed Personal care attendants and children under age 7 ride equal opportunity for all persons in the provision of public Special User Card routes on regular time schedules. This service is referred free with an eligible passenger. transportation services. For more information on your To Make Reservations: SPECIAL USER CARD A Special User Card is given to as MATBUS and is open to the general public. To use METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT to an individual as Title VI civil rights or to file a complaint, please contact  701-235-4464 Name: I.D. # (701) 241-8140. MATBUS, you may need to travel to the bus stop, wait Travel with certification that they are Coupon Books Issued: Expires: Personal Care Yes No  7-1-1 Relay (TDD only) outside until the bus arrives, transfer between buses, Attendant: entitled to certain MAT Coupon books may be purchased from the driver on This card entitles the individual named to ride the your next trip. Coupon books are NOT refundable. Applications, Questions, recognize your destination, etc. All of the buses have Fargo and Moorhead transit services selected special transportation below: services. Any conditions that To Request An Application: wheelchair ramps. MAT Fixed Route Service for Half-fare..232-7500 Suggestions or Complaints MAT Paratransit Service (Disabled only)..235-4464 apply to eligibility are Can I Pay In Advance?  also listed on the card. The Fares cannot be paid in advance (except through the 701-235-4464 Half-Fare Metro Transit Garage cards are issued by the Transit Offices for the Cities of purchase of coupons) nor billed at a later date. The rider Persons with disabilities who are able to travel on 650 23 Street North Fargo and Moorhead. must pay for their ride at the time they ride. It is Fargo, ND 58102 Website: MATBUS are encouraged to do so and can ride for half acceptable to pay for the ride and return ride at the www.matbus.com fare, which is 75¢. To receive half fare, you must show the Visitors same time. Phone: 701-241-8140 driver a Medicare card or Special User Card when you Visitors to Fargo-Moorhead who have been certified as Email: [email protected] board the bus. A 30 day pass is $26 for a person with a “ADA Paratransit Eligible” by another public entity will be Rider Responsibilities Special User Card. provided service up to 21 days during any 365-day Website: www.matbus.com period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service All of our Paratransit riders are important to us and we List of Fargo-Moorhead Transportation MATBUS Information during such 365-day period. If service is needed beyond strive to provide constant, reliable service. As a shared Providers Website: www.fmridesource.com For MATBUS schedule information, call the Ground 21 days, the individual is required to apply for eligibility ride service it is important for Paratransit riders to Transportation Center at 701-232-7500 between by the Cities of Fargo or Moorhead. Visitors may be understand the impact their behavior has on other 6 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. requested to show proof of residency outside the city Paratransit riders and service delivery. Examples of limits of Moorhead or Dilworth, Minnesota, or Fargo or Audio and large print versions of this brochure and Paratransit and 11:15 p.m. on Saturday. Visit the MATBUS website at behavior that is disruptive to Paratransit service West Fargo, North Dakota. includes, but is not limited to, a rider not being ready Operational Guidelines are available upon request. www.matbus.com.

8 9 Effective July 1, 2017 1 2 Hours of Service Negotiating Your Ride Time expect to be done before 2:00 p.m. Monday through sounding the horn and beginning to count the five Trip Denial The reservationist will assist you in reserving a pick-up Friday, call the reservationist when you are ready to be minutes allowed for the passenger to appear. picked up. If your medical appointment will not end until  Monday - Friday time. Since this is a shared ride service involving multiple The driver may refuse to give you a ride at locations that 6 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. passengers at once, the reservationist might not be able to after 2:00 p.m. a return reservation is necessary. Medical If We’re Late are unsafe for either the passenger, driver or vehicle, schedule your ride at your requested time. The delays are accommodated to the best of our ability when  Saturday If the Paratransit vehicle arrives more than 15 minutes including areas not cleared of snow. 7 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. reservationist is allowed to negotiate with you an alternative appointments go longer than anticipated. later than the scheduled time and the passenger refuses time within an hour before or after your initial requested  Sunday service or does not show, this will be considered a Be On Your Best Behavior time to accommodate reservations already made by other missed trip rather than a no show. Passengers are not 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cancels, No Shows, and Penalties Passengers who appear disorderly or are considered a passengers. A passenger may ask the reservationist for a penalized for missed trips. safety threat to the driver or other passengers, including confirmation number once the ride has been scheduled. If your plans change, you should call those under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, will to cancel your reservation. Trips must 2 Hours Driver Assistance be denied a ride. All trips must be completed and passengers delivered to The following information should be be cancelled at least two hours given to the reservationist: their destination by 11:15 p.m. before your scheduled pick-up time. Otherwise, they will be If requested, the driver will provide assistance to riders Personal Care Attendant (PCA)  Name of each eligible passenger considered a “No Show” and subject to penalty. If you between the vehicle and the entrance of a building. Inform  receive 3 or more no shows in a 30-day period and they the reservationist that you need assistance when you make Holidays If accompanied by a personal care If you have a disability and need a PCA to assist you either equal 10% or more of your total rides in that period, you will your reservation. If additional help is required beyond the MAT Paratransit does not run on the following holidays: attendant and guest(s) during the ride or at your destination, you must indicate this face a 1-week suspension of service. Continuous violations main door, the rider should have a personal care attendant New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence  Pick up and destination addresses on your application. If verified, the Special User Card issued of the no show policy will result in longer suspensions. (PCA) ride along or have someone meet them. The driver Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve after 5  Time you wish to arrive at destination to you will then indicate that you need a PCA and the driver p.m. and Christmas Day. Considerations will be made for disability-related issues or if will not assist individuals in wheelchairs into buildings that  Return time will allow the PCA to ride free. The beginning and ending the driver is more than 15 minutes late to your pickup. are not accessible (except open the main door). Where You Can Travel  If driver assistance is required destination of the PCA must be the same as yours.  Telephone number If you are not present and ready to go when the vehicle Bags and Packages Bring Your Own PCA arrives and the driver waited 5 minutes, your ride is If requested, the driver will assist with either two grocery You may ride any place in the city limits of Fargo and The Paratransit rider is responsible for bringing their own considered a no show. Your prescheduled return ride size bags or one small collapsible cart. The driver will not West Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead and Dilworth, Scheduling Subscription Rides PCA. MAT Paratransit does not provide a PCA or aide on will stay on the schedule unless you call and cancel bring packages past the first door of the building. Space Minnesota. You may ride MAT Paratransit for any reason: the vehicle with the driver. The driver’s primary it. If you are not present for the prescheduled return ride, for packages is limited. The packages must be carried in shopping - dining out - medical appointments - If you need to ride regularly at the same time and to the responsibilities are to safely secure the passenger and that ride will be considered an additional no show. one trip and the packages must be safely secured while socializing and others! same destination, you may request a subscription drive the vehicle with up to 14 passengers. It is possible on the vehicle. Guests and personal care attendants are reservation. Subscriptions are limited in availability and for the rider to be alone on the vehicle with strangers Pick Up Procedures expected to assist the passenger. In Case of Snow are determined by MAT Paratransit. If you have a while the driver is assisting another passenger to the Service will be impacted during a snow event. The subscription, you will not need to call every week to When you call to reserve a ride, the passenger’s door. If an individual cannot ride unattended drivers will only travel on roads that are reasonably clear Wheelchair Lift reserve your rides. You will have to cancel your ride if reservationist will give you a with strangers for up to one hour, it is the responsibility of of snow. Service may be cancelled during a major snow 15 MIN. Passengers who use the wheelchair lift will be assisted your plans change. Subscription rides during peak scheduled pick up time. The vehicle the rider to bring a personal care attendant. event. Please listen to KFGO 790AM for weather related on and off the lift by the driver. It is safest for the demand times may be restricted to trips for work, school, may arrive anytime 15 minutes before or after your announcements. passenger to back their mobility device onto the lift in the meals and medical services. Waiting lists may be scheduled pick up time. You should be ready at the Taking a Guest established. Consistently canceling your subscription ride Paratransit vehicle. The passenger can expect their entrance with coat on and packages together. Generally, mobility device to be properly secured in four places. Scheduling a Ride may result in losing the reservation. Each passenger can have one person the driver will pull up to the curb and cannot pull into the Wheelchairs and scooters must be secured during accompany them as a guest. More guests driveway of a residential home. transport. Passengers are required to wear a seat belt  701-235-4464 Scheduling Return Rides can ride as long as space is available and and shoulder strap when available. no eligible client is refused a ride.  7-1-1 Relay (TDD only) We Wait Five Minutes You should make a return reservation at the same time you Upon arrival, the driver will sound the horn. The driver will make your reservation to be picked up for a non-medical Mobility Aids Call 701-235-4464 to reserve a ride. Office hours are 8 wait five minutes for you to appear. If you do not appear, The beginning and ending destination of the ride. Passenger requests to change return pick-up times Riders with mobility aids are responsible for keeping their guest must be the same as yours. The guest a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All calls must the driver can leave and it will be considered a no show. because they are ready early may be accepted if space is equipment in safe, working order. This includes keeping must pay a fare to ride. be received by 4:30 p.m. Reservations should be made The driver is not required to enter the building to look for available. The driver is not to make other passengers late batteries charged on electric wheelchairs and scooters and at least one day prior to when the ride is needed and you, nor is the reservationist required to call and notify you or unduly prolong their ride to accommodate an early pick- keeping manual wheelchair brakes in good working order. can be made up to 8 days in advance. Same day that Paratransit has arrived. Sunday Service up. The rider is not to expect that an earlier ride will be reservations will be accommodated as space allows. Keep a Clear Path! The ADA does not require Paratransit service on Sunday provided if they call for an earlier pick-up. If We’re Early It is the responsibility of the passenger to maintain a clear because there is no MATBUS fixed route service on If the vehicle arrives earlier than 15 minutes prior to the Sundays and Holidays path to their door so the driver can provide door through door Sunday. The Cities of Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Medical Return Rides scheduled pick-up time, they will beep the horn. If the Reservations will be taken through an answering machine service. Please keep sidewalks and ramps clear of snow and and Dilworth choose to make limited service available passenger is not yet ready, the driver will wait until the 15 on Sundays and holidays for next day service only. do not expect the driver to shovel a path to the door. during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for people If you are dropped off at a medical appointment and minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time before again who are eligible for Paratransit Service. 3 4 5 6 7