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Welcome to the NORTA.
We provide bus and streetcar services to the New Orleans community. |
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Lil’ Easy | Bus & Streetcar | Paratransit Service | Charters
The New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority (NORTA’s) Paratransit Service is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb program available for those who are functionally unable to independently use the RTA fixed-route system either all of the time, temporarily or under certain circumstances. All Paratransit customers are eligible and encouraged to use fixed- route services. Paratransit ID cardholders can ride any fixed route vehicle free of charge.
The reservation-based curb-to-curb service is available to customers who have been deemed eligible through an evaluation process, which is based on one’s ability to use the fixed-route system.
The RTA Paratransit Service operates from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year. The system operates within the urbanized area of Orleans Parish as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Important Phone Numbers
NORTA Paratransit Customer Service: (504) 827-7433
NORTA Certification Office: (504) 827-8345
Lost & Found: (504) 940-5586
NORTA Paratransit Fares
Type Amount
Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
A personal care attendant (PCA) rides for free when accompanying an individual certified by the RTA Certification Office as requiring a PCA
NOTE: Passengers are responsible for paying their fare at the time of boarding. Failure to do so may result in the customer not being transported. Companions are charged at the same fare amount as the ADA passenger. Please have the exact fare ready. Drivers do not
make change or accept checks.
Shared Rides
RTA Paratransit Services is a shared public transportation service. Whenever possible, the RTA will schedule rides with multiple passengers.
Reservations
Eligible RTA Paratransit patrons can make service reservations between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Call Customer Service at (504) 827-7433 for more information regarding reservations and cancellations.
Case Review of Denials
Applicants who are determined not eligible or who do not agree with the denial of RTA ADA Paratransit Services may request an appeal, which must be filed within 60 days from the date of the denial letter.
Who is Eligible and What is the Certification Process?
Individuals interested in using RTA Paratransit services need to complete and submit an eligibility form for certification. Please complete your personal information on the form, including your signature. Your doctor or licensed healthcare professional must complete and sign the medical eligibility form. Remember, the actual processing of your application does not begin until both the form from your doctor or your healthcare professional and your application form are received. The sooner you can deliver to RTA all the necessary information, the more expediently RTA is able to process your application.
An eligibility review considers each applicant’s functional ability to use fixed route bus service. Applicants become paratransit eligible on a “conditional” or “unconditional” basis. If a disability or health condition prevents a client from using fixed-route buses under any condition, that individual will have “unconditional eligibility” to use paratransit services. Should a person be able to use fixed-route buses some of the time, but not at other times, the client will be “conditionally eligible” for those trips which he or she cannot take by fixed-route service.
Functional Ability Assessments
As part of the appeal process, the functional assessment is a mechanism to help determine whether the applicant has the ability to use fixed-route services and, if so, under what circumstances. Functional assessments are evaluations used to predict physical, cognitive, visual, or psychiatric ability. The assessments are conducted by independent professionals.
Categories of Eligibility
People who are determined to be eligible for NORTA ADA Paratransit Services are assigned one of the following eligibility categories that are consistent with their ability to use fixed-route service.
• Unconditional - You're unable at this time to independently use any fixed route service
• Transitional - If your condition is temporary, not permanent or if you're capable of learning to use fixed route services with some training
• Conditional - you can use fixed route services sometimes but may require Paratransit services when the combination of your disability and the environment or some other special circumstance creates a barrier to independent use for particular trips
Passenger Assistance
Upon passenger request, drivers may maneuver your manual wheelchair if you need assistance from the curb to the vehicle, lend a steady arm if you need assistance, provide directions or act as a sighted guide to/from vehicle if you experience a vision disability.
Non-Assistance
Drivers may not operate or push your powered mobility device (for example, electric wheelchair or scooter), operate or push your equipment or shopping cart up or down stairs or steep inclines, cross residential thresholds, lift or carry riders, carry packages or other items. Drivers are trained not to perform these activities. Please do not make these requests of your driver.
If you are able to wait at the curb, please do so whenever possible.
Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices
All vehicles used for service in the RTA paratransit division are 100 percent ADA accessible. Drivers will assist customers in boarding and deboarding the Paratransit vehicle as needed. All mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters and three-wheel carts must be secured in the vehicle. If your medical condition or disability requires you to use an assistive mobility device or change the type of mobility device used during your initial functional ability assessment, it must be reported to the RTA ID Office within 15 days. Due to this change you may be required to undergo an additional functional assessment to determine what effect this change may have on your functional ability. Your current eligibility status may be altered as a result of your new functional assessment.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome and ride free-of-charge. Service animals must sit on the floor or on the passenger’s lap. They may not occupy a passenger seat. Clients must notify the reservations agent when reserving a trip that they will travel with a service animal.
Children
A responsible party must accompany children under the age of six years old. Children under six years old or who weigh less than 60 pounds must be secured in an approved child safety seat provided by the customer. Strollers must be collapsed to fit between the seat and the customer. Non-collapsible strollers are prohibited. For safety reasons, children capable of sitting on their own must sit in a seat and not on an adult’s lap.
Personal Care Attendants
(PCA) may ride free-of-charge when accompanying an individual certified by the RTA Certification Office as requiring a PCA. The need for a PCA will be determined during your evaluation appointment. One companion may also accompany an eligible rider. A companion will be charged the same fare as the eligible rider. Let the Customer Service Representative know at the time the reservation is made if you will be traveling with a companion, a PCA or both.
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