Metro’s Guide to Accessibility and Independence 1 WHAT’S INSIDE MetroLink and MetroBus . 4 Advantages to Using MetroBus and MetroLink . 5 Travel Training . 6 Benefits of Travel Training . 6 We Care Trip Planning & Individualized Instruction . 7 All Metro Transit services – Travel Orientation Services . 8 MetroBus, MetroLink and Metro Outcomes of Successful Training . 8 Frequently Asked Questions . 9 Call-A-Ride – are accessible. At Metro Call-A-Ride . 11 Metro, we’re committed to providing For Individuals Who May Need More Assistance . .. 13 high quality, accessible travel options ADA Eligibility . .. 14 for all of our customers, and helping Non-ADA Travel on Metro Call-A-Ride . 15 you understand the best way to use Reservations . 16 these services to travel throughout Tips for Making the Best Use of Metro Call-A-Ride Services . 19 the region. You Have Choices . 20 Frequently Asked Questions About Metro Call-A-Ride . 22 This guide will help you choose the Effective Communication And Reasonable right service to best suit your travel Modifications To Policies And Procedures . 24 needs and get you on your way! Transit Agency Complaints, Comments and Concerns . 25 ADA Comment Form . 26 Contact Information . 27 ADA PARATRANSIT FOR VISITORS Visitors from out of town, who are certified ADA Paratransit eligible by another transit provider, or provide necessary documentation of disability that prevents independent use of MetroBus and MetroLink, may qualify for visitor status and use ADA Paratransit service for up to 21 days in a calendar year. Please contact Transit Access Center at 314.982.1510 to register. 3 METROLINK AND METROBUS ADVANTAGES TO USING METROBUS AND METROLINK All MetroLink trains and MetroBus n Pressing the “Stop Request Strip” vehicles are accessible. They have on the MetroLink train is one way n You get to choose your n Most affordable options priority seating and are equipped to to alert the operator that you need departure time n accommodate mobility devices. For extra time to deboard On MetroLink, you are able n many passengers, MetroLink and Service is direct, with no to connect with 38 stations in n All MetroLink trains and stations MetroBus are the quickest and most detours or extra stops for Missouri and Illinois without are Americans with Disabilities direct way to complete your trip. other passengers making any transfers Act (ADA) accessible n Arrival times are more n The following features are System announcements at predictable available for all passengers: MetroLink stations are audible, as well as visual n All MetroBus vehicles are n Ticket Vending Machines at all equipped with lifts or ramps MetroLink stations have tactile n Priority seating is available for buttons, braille and can provide passengers who have difficulty audible information standing while the bus or train is n MetroLink and MetroBus in motion schedules are available in large n Drivers or a recording announce print or braille upon request major stops, intersections and transfer points to help passengers Do you have specific questions recognize their stop or transfer regarding accessibility not point answered here? Call our n Reserved spaces are available for ADA Services Department at riders who use mobility devices, 314-982-1510 or email us at such as wheelchairs [email protected]. or scooters The Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is just one of the many destinations you can easily access with MetroLink and MetroBus 4 5 TRAVEL TRAINING TRIP PLANNING & INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION Metro offers training on MetroBus n Emergency procedures and MetroLink to individuals with n Determining appropriate Before starting travel training, You will practice using buses disabilities. This training is your landmarks including Orientation & Mobility and/or trains to locations you ticket to public transit freedom (O&M) training for blind visit on a regular basis, until you n Proper street crossing skills and independence. Our Travel participants, you will be given an feel confident in your ability to Instructor or Certified Orientation including safely negotiating individualized evaluation. Based on independently use public transit. & Mobility Specialist (COMS) will intersections this evaluation, instruction will be Other skills you will learn include: guide you through your options n Community safety skills tailored to specifically meet your n Recognizing landmarks to know for travel and teach you necessary skills and needs. Through one-on- when to get off the bus or train skills including: one instruction with appropriately Travel Training Will Help With: trained staff, you will learn to ride n How to interact with transit n Purchasing/paying fare M astering Fixed Route System MetroBus and MetroLink. You will personnel and other riders n Determining appropriate routes learn the practical skills needed E mbracing Independence n Skills to stay safe while traveling to travel the Metro Transit system n Determining bus stop location T raveling Safely safely and with confidence. n Recognizing bus numbers n Determining the correct bus R ider Rights & Responsibilities n Proper boarding and departure O vercoming Travel Barriers procedures BENEFITS OF TRAVEL TRAINING As an independent traveler, you will preferred time, allowing you more have access to more destinations in independence and less reliance the St. Louis region. You can travel on family, neighbors or friends aboard an affordable vehicle at your for transportation. 6 7 TRAVEL ORIENTATION SERVICES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Whether it’s one-on-one or in a regarding fares, routes and Q) How much does travel Q) Where can travel training group setting, you will become schedule reading. training cost? take place? more informed on how to use A) Travel training is provided at no A) Travel training is available to any the entire Metro Transit system. cost during the training course. destination that is within St. Louis This may involve trips to the bus To learn more about our travel City and St. Louis County in garage or rail station to practice. training program or Orientation Q) How long does it take to Missouri, and St. Clair County If you need to be familiarized & Mobility (O&M) training, complete travel training? in Illinois. with the Metro Transit system, call 314-982-1510 or email A) Travel training is a gradual travel orientation services are [email protected]. process with milestones achieved Q) When is travel training available? available to provide information along the way. The trainer, A) This program is offered year-round. together with the participant, will Travel trainers and participants determine the length and amount determine mutually agreed upon of training needed. dates and times. OUTCOMES OF SUCCESSFUL TRAINING Q) Who will conduct the training? Q) How do I sign up? A) A qualified Travel Trainer A) Contact Metro Transit or Certified Orientation & Travel Training n How to get to and from the bus n Important riding techniques Mobility Specialist (COMS) 211 N Broadway and/or train n How to get to and from specific will conduct training. They are St. Louis, MO 63102 knowledgeable of the fixed- n Emergency preparedness destinations 314 -982-1510 route system and transportation [email protected] n How to appropriately respond n Follow-up will be done to accessibility. Q) Does everyone successfully to unexpected situations such as ensure the participant’s travel Q) Who is eligible for training? complete travel training? missing your bus or train, getting training or Orientation & A) Individuals with a disability and/ A) Successful travel training completion on the wrong bus or train, or Mobility (O&M) training goals or who are 65-plus years is determined on a case-by-case missing your stop. are achieved of age who would like to basis. The trainer will share progress learn how to ride MetroBus made and if additional travel training or MetroLink are eligible may be a possibility. for training. 8 9 METRO CALL-A-RIDE Metro Call-A-Ride service The Americans with Disabilites Metro Call-A-Ride typically Metro Call-A-Ride rates and is available, with advance Act (ADA) requires that paratransit provides curb-to-curb service. availability differ based on reservations, to both the general services provide eligible customers Origin to destination service, customer status and location public and to persons whose with disabilities equivalent which provides assistance from the at the time of service. disabilities prevent them from using access to areas that are served by vehicle to the first exterior door at the accessible fixed-route transit fixed-route services during the the rider’s pick up and/or drop-off This document answers many services (MetroLink and MetroBus). same times that those routes are location, is available for those who common questions about Metro You’ll share your ride with other available. Fixed-route services qualify and request the service at Call-A-Ride service. passengers in modern, wheelchair- include all regular MetroBus routes the time of booking. See page 13 For additional information, accessible vehicles. and MetroLink lines. Commuter or for more information about origin to please call 314-982-1505. express routes are not included. destination services. Priority reservation scheduling is provided to customers with To qualify for an ADA trip, the disabilities who qualify for trip must start and end within 3/4 Americans with Disabilities Act of a mile of fixed-route services at (ADA) paratransit services. the time the service is operating. If there is no fixed-route service in Please note that while the Metro the 3/4 mile area, if MetroBus or Call-A-Ride service is a great MetroLink are not in operation in benefit to passengers who cannot the 3/4 mile area at the time of the use MetroBus and MetroLink, trip, or a trip is not doable using it is not a direct service. You MetroBus or MetroLink, then will be sharing the service with ADA Paratransit Services are other passengers.