CONNECTIONS

A Guide to Public Transportation in the Metro-Harrisburg Region and Beyond

4. Paratransit / Shared Ride SERVICES and Handicap Access

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CONNECTIONS Home

1. Introduction

2. Connections

3. Capital Area Transit

4. Paratransit/Handicap

5. Reg/Ntl Pub Transit

6. PA Public Transit

7. Other Options

8. Why Transit?

9. Glossary

10. Acronyms & Abrev.

11. Appendix

Table of Contents

• Human Service Transportation Plan
• Paratransit Services Overview
• County Share-A-Ride at a Glance
• Share-A-Ride Fares
• Assistance Programs
  • Senior Free Transit
  • Senior Share-A-Ride
  • AAA
  • MATP / Urgent Care
  • HSDF
  • MR/MH
  • PwD
  • SET
  • Welfare to Work
• Handicapped Accessible Transportation

County Paratransit:

• [Cumberland]

• [Dauphin]

• [Perry]

Paratransit Services

More information on senior, disabled, and low-income transportation services is available in the HATS Coordinated Public Transit - Human Service Transportation Plan.

Cumberland, Perry, and Dauphin Counties provide specialized transportation services to residents unable to access normal modes of public and private transportation such as bus service or driving private vehicles.  Each county has slightly different requirements for eligibility but all requirements are guided by the regulations set forth in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.  Cumberland and Perry provide these services under the direction of their county transportation departments while Dauphin County contracts with Capital Area Transit to provide these services.

Individual County Shared Ride Information:

 [Cumberland] [Dauphin] [Perry]

Table 4.1 County Transportation Trip Scheduling at a Glance

Paratransit Fares

Table 4.2 County Shared Ride Fares

Assistance Programs

Free Transit Program For Senior Citizens

The Pennsylvania Free Transit Program provides free transportation for persons age sixty-five or older during off peak hours through participating transportation organizations that provide fixed-route public transportation services. Non-peak riding hours, based on scheduled boarding time for all hours except the following:

1. for intercity bus, local public bus, subway-elevated and trolley service:

   • 7:00 am to 7:59 am and from 4:30 pm to 5:29 pm inclusive

2. for commuter trains and intercity trains:

   • trains which arrive at the main terminal from 7:00 am to 7:59 am and trains which depart the main terminal from 4:30 pm to 5:29 pm.

3. Free rides on regional transportation provider systems are available within 35 miles of boarding location.

Persons age sixty-five or older may also ride free at all times on weekends and the following holidays:

1. New Year's Day*, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial    Day, Independence Day*, Labor Day, Columbus Day (observed), Veteran’s Day*,      Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day* for all systems (*indicates holiday is observed on    weekday when holiday occurs on weekend) that provide service on these days

For additional information, including information for receiving a free Senior Citizen Transit Identification Card, please see the Free Transit Program Brochure.

Local Participants:

• Capital Area Transit (CAT) Fixed-Route bus system serving Cumberland & Dauphin Counties.

• Raider Regional Transit (RRT) serving the Shippensburg area.

• Capitol Trailways from Harrisburg to York, Hershey, Palmyra, Annville, Cleona, Lebanon, or Carlisle.

• Fullington Trailways from Harrisburg to Duncannon or Newport.

• Greyhound Lines from Harrisburg to York, Millerstown, or Thompsontown.

Shared-Ride Program for Senior Citizens

This program provides reduced rates for senior citizens 65 and older throughout Pennsylvania. Senior citizens pay 15% of the fare and the Lottery fund pays the remaining 85% on local Share-A-Ride door-to-door advance reservation transportation service.  To qualify for the reduced fare, seniors must be at least 65 years of age and be able to supply one of the eligible proofs of age to the local Share-A-Ride provider in their county.  Over $60 million is reimbursed to the Share-A-Ride providers throughout Pennsylvania on an annual basis.  The Share-A-Ride Program discount is available during all general public transportation service hours, which are determined locally.  Senior Citizens fares are subsidized by the Pennsylvania State Lottery Fund through a grant from the Department of Transportation and Cumberland County Area Agency on Aging.

If the participant is 65 or older and live within ¼ mile of a public bus route (in both Cumberland and Dauphin Counties) and their destination is within ¼ mile of a public bus route, they should use the fixed route/public bus transportation when possible.  An exception may be made for extenuating circumstances.  Free transportation is available during non-peak hours.  However, an ID Card must be obtained from the public mass transportation provider, Capital Area Transit (CAT).  Telephone 238-8304 for additional information.

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Senior Citizens, 65 years old and above, with a Senior Citizen Transit Card can use the CAT Shared-Ride program services for $2.25 a trip.

• Cumberland County: Senior Citizens, 65 years old and above, registered with the lottery program, can pay the reduced fare (15% of the full fare).  Call the CCTD (800) 315-2546 for additional information.

• Perry County: Similar to the Cumberland County program, those 65 years old and above, registered with the lottery program, can pay the reduced fare (15% of full fare).  Call the PCTA, (877) 800-7433 for more information.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties offer additional transportation assistance to seniors, age 60 and up.

In Dauphin County, the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging contracts with CAT to provide the Share-A-Ride services to seniors in Dauphin County.  In fiscal year 2006-07, the Agency made a policy decision to subsidize the co-payments of seniors who are using Share-A-Ride to attend a medical appointment.  Seniors attending a medical appointment will pay a fare of $1 each way for a total of $2.  Previously, they had paid a $4.50 full fare.  In addition to CAT there are 10 other organizations that provide transportation in the region: Indian Wheels (Susquehanna Twp), Autumn Leaves (East Hanover), Dauphin Area Senior Transit (Dauphin), Derry Township People Movers, Elder Express (Hummelstown), Londonderry VIP, Lower Paxton Township Senior Citizens Transportation, Middletown Care-A-Van, S.E.B.O.S. (Steelton / Enhaut / Bressler / Oberlin / Swatara Transportation Group) , and the West Hanover Township Senior Van Service. To apply for services, contact the Dauphin County Agency on Aging at (717) 780-6130.

In Cumberland County, The Cumberland Office of Aging & Community Services contracts with CCTD's Share-A-Ride program to offer trips to individuals, age 60 and over.  The agency assists persons age 60 and older access transportation to medical and social service agency appointments, senior centers, grocery shopping, work, banks, pharmacies, laundromats, volunteer work, and visiting immediate family members who are in a hospital or nursing facility.  These trips are usually limited to locations within Cumberland County, and are provided at no cost to you.  They can be contacted at: (717) 240-6110 in the Carlisle area, or toll free at (888) 697-0371 x6110.

In Perry County, the Perry County Office of Aging provides services to seniors throughout the county.  Contact the Perry County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 582-2131 for information on their services.
 

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: For those 60 and over, contact the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 780-6130 for applications and other information for these additional services.

• Cumberland County: For those 60 and over, call the CCTD (800) 315-2546 for additional information.  For other AAA information, call the Cumberland Office of Aging & Community Services at (717) 240-6110.

• Perry County: Contact the Perry County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 582-2131 for information on there services or contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 for information on senior transportation services.

Senior Citizen Transportation Providers:

Medical Assistance Transportation Program - (MATP)

MATP provides transportation to medical services for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers who do not have other transportation available to them.  These transportation services are provided through County governments.  The counties either provide transportation services directly or hire a transportation provider depending on the transportation resources available in a county, the transportation available may be:

• tickets or tokens to ride public transportation,

• reimbursement for bus passes,

• mileage reimbursement for use of a private car, or

• Paratransit services (for example, in a van).

• The county will provide the type of transportation that is the least expensive while still meeting the consumer’s needs.

  Transportation is available to almost any service that MA pays for.  Transportation can be provided to physicians, dentists, health clinics, podiatrists, rural health clinics, hospice programs, physical therapists, outpatient services, pharmacies, drug and alcohol clinics, mental health centers, outpatient rehab services, optometrists, dialysis clinics, psychologists, and ambulatory surgical services.  Services that MATP does not include are emergency or other transportation requiring an ambulance, transportation to sheltered workshops, day care programs, transportation for visitation purposes, stretcher service, door-through-door service, transportation to non-medical services, and transportation during severe weather when deemed unsafe or transportation to any medical services that are not payable through the Medical Assistance Program.  Exceptional transportation costs such as air travel, lodging, meals, and attendants are paid for by local County Assistance Offices instead of MATP. 
 

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Contact the Center for Community Building (717) 232-7009 in Harrisburg Area, (800) 309-8905 in the Elizabethville area, to sign up for the MATP program, schedule service for any medical transportation, for further information about the program, or to submit complaints about service.  CCB is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

• Cumberland County: Contact the The CCTD (800) 315-2546 for additional information.

• Perry County: Contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 for information on MATP services.

MATP Urgent Care

MATP Urgent Care is an extension of the MATP program.  Transportation for urgent care services can be provided when it is validated urgent by a physician/provider.  Contact the county transportation department for definition of urgent care. 

 Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Contact the Center for Community Building (717) 232-7009 in Harrisburg Area, (800) 309-8905 in the Elizabethville area, to sign up for the MATP program, schedule service for any medical transportation, for further information, or to submit complaints about service.

• Cumberland County: Urgent care transportation is obtained by notifying CCTD from 7:00 AM through 4:30 PM Monday through Friday by calling the office at (800) 315-2546.  On Saturday, Sunday, after 4:30 PM or on one of our holidays, call (800) 367-0512 ext. 3 or (717) 763-2108.  If the transportation can be received during our service hours, notify our office.  If you schedule a trip and it is not urgent care, you may be billed for the trip.

• Perry County: Contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 for information on the Urgent Care program in Perry County.

Human Services Development Fund (HSDF)

The Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) provides counties with a flexible source of funding to be used within the seven human services programs for which the counties are responsible: Adult Services, Aging, Children and Youth, Drug and Alcohol, Homeless Assistance, and the Community Mental Health/Mental Retardation programs.  These funds are used to expand existing services in any or all of the seven program areas, for the coordination of services among those programs, and for specialized or generic services.

The flexibility offered by HSDF allows counties to maximize both program and cost efficiencies in serving individuals and families with multiple needs as well as the specialized needs of certain client groups.  In addition, HSDF affords counties the opportunity to negotiate one contract for services used by more than one program, such as Homemaker Service or Transportation Service, rather than negotiating and monitoring separate contracts for these services for each program.  Funds are distributed to all 67 counties.  Each county develops a plan for the use of the HSDF and submits it for review and approval.

Individuals that are 18-59 years old and meet the income guidelines are eligible for transportation to social service appointments.  Contact the County HSDF Agency for information and application materials.  There is no charge for this service.  HSDF funds are very limited, and often used only as an additional source of fund not paid for by other programs.

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Contact HSDF Office for information at: (717) 780-6297

• Cumberland County: Call CCTD (800) 315-2546 or HSDF Office: (717) 240-6476 for additional information.

• Perry County: Contact HSDF Office for information at: (717) 582-2131

Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is responsible for supervising a comprehensive mental health and mental retardation program for citizens of the Commonwealth.

The major goal of this program is to improve the level of functioning of individuals with mental retardation who have never attained an adequate level of basic daily living skills.  Children's services, mental health services, and mental retardation services are provided via county agencies.  The agencies subsidize some trips to sheltered workshops, alternative programs, and mental health facilities.  County MH/MR Case Management staff determines client eligibility, and the County Share-A-Ride providers administer the program.

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: The Dauphin County MH/MR program will determine if their clients are eligible to use that CAT Share-A-Ride Service and if so, register them.  For more information or to sign up for MH/MR services call the Case Management Unit at (717) 232-8761.

• Cumberland County: Contact Cumberland / Perry MH/MR,  16 West High Street, Suite 301, Carlisle, PA 17013,  (888) 697-0371

• Perry County: Contact Cumberland / Perry MH/MR offices at: (877) 800-7433 or (717) 582-2131 for more information.

Rural Transportation Program For Persons With Disabilities (PwD)

This program provides reduced rates on Share-A-Ride transportation services for persons with disabilities in selected counties in Pennsylvania, including Dauphin and Cumberland Counties.  Share-A-Ride trips for persons with disabilities are discounted up to 85% if the trip is not eligible under any other funding program.  The passenger pays at least 15% of the general public Share-A-Ride fare on local Share-A-Ride door-to-door advance reservation transportation service.  To qualify for the reduced fare, persons with disabilities must present proof of disability to the local Share-A-Ride provider in their county.

If a person lives within ¾ of a mile of public transportation and their destination is also within ¾ of a mile of public transportation they are required to call the public transportation provider for their complementary service, Special Efforts Transportation (SET).  In Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, SET services are provided by Capital Area Transit (CAT) at 232-6104, or Shippensburg by Raider Regional Transit at 530-8891.  When eligible, this program provides a discount greater than the SET program and covers trips that may not be covered in the SET program.

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Contact CAT Shared-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional information on the program.

• Cumberland County: Contact the CCTD (800) 315-2546 to apply or find out additional information on the program.

• Perry County: Contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 to apply or find out additional information on the program.

Special Efforts Transportation (SET):

SET provides door-to-door service for those people who are unable to access the regular CAT fixed-route bus system due to a physical or mental handicap.  An application is necessary with certification of the qualifying disability by a physician or human services professional.  CAT provides SET service to anyone that lives within ¾ of a mile of any CAT fixed-route bus.  For those living in Cumberland County that live within ¾ of a mile of a CAT bus route, they should use CAT's SET service before using Cumberland County’s Shared Ride services.

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: Contact CAT Shared-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional information on the program.

• Cumberland County: Contact CAT Shared-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional information on the program if you live within ¾ mile of any bus route within Cumberland County.

• Perry County: Program is not currently available in Perry County.  If fixed-bus route service is provided into Perry County in the future, those within ¾ mile of such route would be eligible. 

Welfare-to-Work Program: 

The Welfare-to-Work Transportation Program provides funding to grantee agencies for the transportation of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and low-income individuals to work and support services, such as child care.  Program participants must be members of TANF (see website: ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/PublicTransportation/lottery/w2wEligibility.doc for more information) eligible families, families with incomes less than 235TH percentile of the Federal Family Poverty Income Guidelines, and must be working.  Transportation modes that are used by different grantees include fixed-route bus service, paratransit Share-A-Ride, taxis, shuttle/vanpools, and reimbursement to volunteers for use of their vehicles. 

The development of partnerships is a priority of the program.  In the Welfare to Work (see ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/PublicTransportation/lottery/w2wPartnershipAgreement.doc  for more information) Partnership Agreement, grantees are required to document coordination and cooperative activities among transportation providers, county assistance offices, economic development organizations, employers and support service providers.  In many communities, there is also participation by regional planners, faith-based organizations, and housing providers.

For those transitioning from public assistance to paid employment, temporary transportation is provided through PennDOT’s welfare-to-work program.  The program only pays for trips related to work, employment training, and child-care.  For more information, contact

Local Participants:

• Dauphin County: For more information on the program, contact the CAT Shared-Ride program (717) 232-6100.

• Cumberland County: does not currently participate in the welfare to work program.

• Perry County: Contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 for information on the program in Perry County.

Handicapped Accessible Transportation

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Public Law 336 of the 101st Congress, was enacted July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation.   Below is a brief overview of Handicap accessible transportation in the Harrisburg region.

• CAT Fixed-Route buses:  All CAT buses are now wheel-chair(é) accessible. 

• Dauphin/Cumberland/Perry Shared Ride vehicles: The majority of the County Shared Ride vehicles are wheel-chair accessible.  When scheduling trip, make sure to let them know wheel-chair services are needed.

•  Transit Facilities:

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center: fully é accessible station

  • Lancaster Transportation Center: é accessible to street, parking lot, and station platform, other station services, however, are not fully accessible.

  • Middletown, Elizabethtown, and Mt. Joy Amtrak Stations: currently not é accessible.  Future station improvements planned at these stations would include handicap accessibility for these stations.

  • Harrisburg International Airport: fully é accessible facility.

[TCRPC Home] [CONNECTIONS Home]

[1. Introduction]  [2. Connections]  [3. Capital Area Transit]  [4. Paratransit/Handicap]  [5. Reg/Ntl Pub Transit]  [6. PA Public Transit]  [7. Other Options]  [8. Why Transit?]  [9. Glossary]  [10. Acronyms & Abrev.]  [11. Appendix]

County Paratransit: [Cumberland] [Dauphin] [Perry]