Paratransit/VIP Riders Guide

Paratransit (VIP) Service

Welcome to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) Paratransit/VIP Riders Guide. We hope this guide provides answers to your questions about our Paratransit/VIP services. If you need additional information you may contact us at (205) 521-0180, Monday thru Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm (CST). We are here to provide safe, reliable, dependable and efficient public transportation to individuals with disabilities.

The Rider's Guide is also available, upon request, on audio-cassettes, CD's, large print, and Braille formats.

Paratransit/VIP Hours of Operation:

Monday — Friday 5:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m. (CST)
Saturday 8:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m. (CST)

Paratransit/VIP Passenger Fares

One-Way Trip $2.00
VIP 10-Ride Ticket $20.00
VIP Monthly Pass $80.00
Access Pass $21.00
Access Pass Personal Care Attendants — No Charge

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, BJCTA, offers a half-fare program that allows eligible patrons; persons with disabilities, persons 62 and older, and Medicare recipients to ride for .50 cent on BJCTA's fixed route services. You must present a valid BJCTA picture ID upon boarding. ID cards are FREE and can be obtained, with proper identification, at BJCTA Transportation Administration office located at 3105 8th Avenue North, Birmingham, Al. 35203. Replacement of lost or stolen ID cards can be re-issued for a $5.00 fee at the location indicated on Monday thru Friday, from 9:00am and 4:00pm. You may contact the ADA office at (205)521-0180 for additional information.

Rules of Conduct:

Passengers are required to follow these Rules of Conduct to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers and the Paratransit/VIP Operator:

No eating, drinking or smoking on board
No riding under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
No abusive, threatening or obscene language or actions
No discharge of bodily fluids or open wounds
No deliberate fare evasion
No physical abuse of another passenger or the operator
No operating or tampering with any equipment while onboard a Paratransit/VIP vehicle
No radios, cassette tape players, compact disc players or other sound - generating
equipment are to be played aboard the vehicles
For safety reasons, please limit unnecessary conversation with operator when
the vehicle is in motion

Passengers who violate the Rules of Conduct are subject to penalties, up to and including suspension and / or termination of service.

Note: Passengers who engage in physical abuse or cause physical injury to another passenger or operator may be subject to immediate and permanent suspension from services, and possible criminal prosecution.

Eligibility:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority offers Paratransit/VIP services to individuals who, because of a disability (physical, cognitive or visual), cannot access fixed routes buses. To apply for Paratransit/VIP services you must complete an application form that is available through internet download from www.bjcta.org/vipapplication , or by calling 205-521-0170. Applications are also available in Braille, CD, audio-cassette and large print. For other required medical applications please visit the forms & applications section of our website.

Riding Paratransit/VIP:

Paratransit/VIP is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb service. This means that each vehicle may make multiple stops while en route to your destination to pick-up and discharge passengers who have scheduled transportation. A minimum of one-hour travel time should be allowed when scheduling pick-up and destination arrival for your trip.

For persons using wheelchairs, to ensure maximum safety for you and other passengers, you are required to comply with Alabama's seatbelt law. Passenger safety requires the Paratransit/VIP vehicle operator to secure your wheelchair with securement restraints.

All Paratransit/VIP passengers must remain secured until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Children under 4 years of age and/or under 40 pounds must travel in an approved child car safety seat furnished by the parent, or person accompanying the child.

Paratransit/VIP operators are not required to assist passengers with personal belongings. As a reminder, all Paratransit/VIP vehicles are shared by other passengers, many of whom travel with large mobility devices that limit space aboard each vehicle. Carry on packages are limited to two (2) grocery bags, or similar packages. It is recommended that customers carry only packages they can handle alone. Packages should weigh no more than twenty (20) pounds each. The operator cannot carry any packages to the door.

Passengers may not possess explosives, acids, flammable liquids or hazardous materials while being transported. Passengers possessing or using illegal drugs will be denied Paratransit transportation.

Passengers may transport self-carrying portable oxygen containers.

How to Schedule a Trip:

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority provides two (2) types of Paratransit/VIP services that are scheduled depending upon your travel plans. You can select either Demand Service or Subscription Service.

Demand Service: is provided when a customer contacts the Paratransit/VIP scheduling department and makes a reservation for service for a later time and/or date.

Subscription Service: is a standing reservation for customers who normally make the same trip several times a week, or who are on a regular travel schedule. Subscription Service is limited to riders traveling to the same destination at the same time, at least three (3) times a week for a minimum of ninety (90) days.

BJCTA reserves the right to restrict and/or prioritize Subscription Service to maintain a maximum level of fifty percent (50%), as required by the ADA, when there is no excess demand capacity available.

BJCTA will terminate any Subscription Service that is cancelled fifty percent (50%), or more, of the time during any thirty (30) day period, or if there is a consistent pattern of cancellations of any part of a subscription.

Applying for Subscription Service:

New Subscription Service requests and changes to existing subscriptions are accepted beginning on the first Monday of each month for five (5) working days.

Visitors Requests for Paratransit/VIP Service:

Visitors who are ADA certified are eligible to use BJCTA's Paratransit/VIP services. Visitors should contact the Paratransit/VIP Certification Office; Monday through Friday, beginning at 8am until 5pm (CST) at (205) 521-0180, reservation requests should be made no later than one (1) week before service is required. Visitors are required to present a BJCTA Paratransit/VIP Ticket to the operator when boarding. Operators do not accept cash.

Reservation Hours:

The reservations office is open Monday thru Saturday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00p.m. (CST). Trip requests are accepted up to two weeks in advance. A trip request for next day pick up must be made at least twenty (24) hours in advance of scheduled arrival time by calling (205)-521-0180.

Reservations are made on a first call, first schedule basis. When making a reservation, allow a minimum of sixty (60) minutes for travel from pick up location to your destination. It is important to remember that Paratransit/VIP is a shared-ride service and other passengers may be picked up during your trip to your scheduled destination.

When reserving your pick up time, please be prepared to provide the following information:

Your first and last name
Home telephone number
Date of travel
Requested appointment time (you will be provided with a scheduled pick-up time)
The pick-up address
The destination address
Whether or not you will be accompanied by a Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
(one attendant can ride free, but you must inform the reservation operator when
making your trip request.).
Whether or not if you are riding with a friend or companion that is not ADA certified; that person will be required to pay full fare and will be allowed to ride only on a space available basis.

Ask the reservation operator to repeat your trip information, such as, your scheduled pickup time, home address, the address of your destination, any description comments such as where you will be waiting to ensure the accuracy of scheduled information.

Scheduled Pick Up/Ready Time Window:

Passengers scheduled for transport are advised that the Paratransit/VIP Operator will arrive at your pick up location up to 20 minutes prior to scheduled pick up time, and no later than 20 minutes after your scheduled pick up time. This is defined as the "ready time window". For example; if your scheduled pick up is 9:00am, the vehicle will arrive anytime between 8:45am and 9:15am. Your scheduled pick up time is established between you and the reservation operator when you make the reservation for a trip. Passengers are encouraged to be prepared to board vehicle immediately upon arrival. Operators are instructed to wait no longer than five (5) minutes at pick up locations, and will proceed to next destination once time has expired. If a passenger is not ready within this time limit, the scheduled trip will be counted as a "no show". On the day of your scheduled service, you can wait inside as long as you can see the vehicle arriving. If you cannot, you must wait outside where you can see the vehicle. Paratransit/VIP Operators will wait for a passenger at the curb of a public street, in front of, or as close as possible to the passenger's residence, building or other designated pick-up location. The operator cannot enter a building or come to a door to assist passengers. If a passenger requires assistance exiting from the pick-up location, a Companion or Personal Care Attendant (PCA) must be available to provide assistance.

Personal Care Attendant:

A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) can accompany a registered Paratransit/VIP passenger at no additional charge. Your registration file with BJCTA must indicate that you are eligible to have a PCA travel with you, and you must reserve space for the PCA when scheduling your reservation.

Companions:

Companions are welcomed to ride with passengers; however, they are required to present a Paratransit/VIP Trip Ticket, ($2.00 per trip) to the Operator. Due to limited space, each passenger is allowed only one (1) companion per trip. You must reserve space for your Companion, whether adult or child, when scheduling a trip. Seating for more than one (1) Companion shall be allowed on a "space available" basis when scheduling a trip. Children age 5 and under travel free and must be accompanied by an adult.

Service Animals:

Guide dogs and other service animals are permitted on all BJCTA vehicles, and are allowed to accompany you if your registration file indicates that you have the need for assistance. When scheduling a reservation, please inform the reservation operator that a service animal will be accompanying you on your trip. Service animals ride at no additional charge, but must be properly controlled. Service animals must ride on the floor or, if appropriate, in the lap of the passenger. Animals cannot take a seat intended for passenger use. Passengers are responsible for the behavior and hygiene needs of service animals. Transportation service can be refused or discontinued if a service animal is seriously disruptive. Animals other than service animals may travel only in a properly secured cage or travel container.

What if the Vehicle is late?

If the vehicle has not arrived at 20 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time, call 205-521-0180 immediately.

Cancelling a Reservation:

Reservations must be cancelled on the day before your scheduled pick up, and no later than 5:00pm (CST); this applies to Demand Service and Subscription Service. Failure to comply will be counted as a late cancellation.

Late Cancellation:

A late cancellation occurs when a reservation is cancelled after 5:00pm (CST) the day before the reservation, and up to two (2) hours before the scheduled pick up time.

Penalties for Late Cancellation:

For every "late cancellation", a customer will be charged one (1) "No Show". An accumulation of three (3) "No Shows" during a thirty (30) day period will result in a suspension of service for thirty (30) days.

Excessive Advance Cancellations:

Excessive "Advance Cancellations" occur when a customer cancels 50% or more of his/her reservations during any thirty (30) day period. A minimum of eight (8) reservations must be scheduled for the thirty (30) days in question for this policy to apply.

Penalties for Excessive Advance Cancellations:

A suspension of service for thirty (30) days will be imposed on Demand Service passengers who exceed the maximum cancellation allowances prescribed under this policy. Loss of Subscription Service privileges will be imposed on Subscription customers who exceed the maximum cancellation allowances prescribed under this policy.

No Show:

"No Show"; occurs when a customer has failed to board the Paratransit/VIP vehicle within the five (5) minutes after it arrives within the "ready time" window.

NOTE: If you are a No-Show for your previously scheduled return trip, please call the reservation operator to schedule a new pick up time. You will be re-scheduled based upon availability. Please remember to inquire about the length of time you will be required to wait. If you should choose to use another means of getting to your destination please notify the reservation operator as soon as possible.

Same Day Cancellation:

Reservations that are not canceled at least two (2) hours prior to your scheduled pick up time will be considered as a same day cancellation.

No-Show/Same Day Cancellation Penalties:

If you call to cancel a trip two (2) hours or less before the scheduled pick-up time, or miss the bus without calling in, it is considered a "No-Show." When you accumulate a total of two (2) No-Shows within a 30-day period, it will result in a suspension of service for 7-days. A service suspension of 30 days will be imposed if a customer has a prior suspension, and incurs two (2) "No-Shows" within a 30-day period.

Appealing Suspension of Service:

Paratransit/VIP customers who disputes the basis for a suspension of service, termination of service or loss of subscription privileges can request an appeal hearing by calling or writing the Paratransit/VIP Representative at: (205)521-0180,
Address: P.O.Box 10212
Birmingham, Alabama 35202-0212.

A written copy of the appeal process can be obtained by calling Paratransit/VIP Services at (205)521-0180.

Wheelchairs or other Mobility Devices:

Paratransit/VIP Services will make every attempt to accommodate standard wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices. These devices are defined as not to exceed 48” in length, 30” in width. The combined total weight of the mobility device and passenger cannot exceed 600 lbs. Mobility devices larger than these standards may be denied service aboard Paratransit/VIP vehicles. For our passenger's safety, Paratransit/VIP Services cannot transport passengers with broken mobility devices or devices without working brakes. Please be sure that wheelchairs or other mobility devices are clean, safe and in good working condition before traveling aboard Paratransit/VIP Services.

Lost and Found:

if you leave an item on a vehicle, call the Lost & Found Service at (205)-521-0180

What if I Have a Comment?

If you have a comment (positive or negative) about Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority Paratransit/VIP services, or its employees, please note the time, date, vehicle number and vehicle location, if applicable, and call Paratransit/VIP at (205)521-0180. Comments help to improve staffs' performance, customer service, and will be treated confidentially.