Manatee County Handy Bus System

ADA Paratransit Service

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires transit agencies make their services accessible to people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important civil rights law passed in 1990 that has greatly increased the transportation options for people with disabilities. The law called for improvements to transportation services, including the availability of paratransit service. The ADA does not require a transit agency “to meet all the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities”; however, it does ensure people with disabilities receive the same transportation service opportunities everyone else receives.

ADA Service Ride Guide

ADA Service Ride Guide (Spanish)

ADA Application (English)

ADA Application (Spanish)

HIPAA Written Authorization Form

Paratransit Handy Bus Client Handbook 

Reservation-based ADA service operates in conjunction with all fixed route services during normal hours of operation: Local Fixed Route Bus, Monday – Saturday, 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Anna Maria Island Trolley, Daily, 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. The origin and destination of the trip must be within 3/4 of a mile of the fixed route MCAT bus service for the requested trip. ADA clients must apply and meet federal eligibility requirements which includes medical certification.

Wheelchair Accessible

All MCAT buses and trolleys are equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate riders who cannot use the steps.

Information on Reasonable Modifications

Fare

MCAT Handy Bus is currently a Fare Free Program.

ADA Visitor Process

1. Visitors who are eligible for ADA paratransit service in jurisdictions where they reside and have documentation regarding their eligibility may use the MCAT ADA paratransit service during their visit to Manatee County for up to twenty-one (21) days during any three hundred sixty-five (365)-day period. Visitors who have not been certified eligible by another transit provider and who make the statement they’re unable to use fixed route transit will have presumptive eligibility. They will be required to provide documentation of their place of residence and (if the visitor's disability is not apparent), disability documentation (signed by a doctor or licensed medical professional) prior to the first day of service and may also be provided ADA paratransit service for up to twenty-one (21) days during any three hundred sixty-five (365)-day period. Visitors needing more than twenty-one (21) days of service will be required to apply for MCAT eligibility certification by following the application process described above.


2. Upon receipt of the required documentation as described, Manatee County Area Transit will enter the necessary information into the database to permit visitors to book requested trips. This process can be completed as early as same day or no more than one day late. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) envisions this as a process of eligible service.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) Complaint

Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity and access for persons with disabilities; ensuring complementary paratransit service that is comparable to the public transit bus service for individuals who are unable to ride public transportation. Any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against or denied full participation in transportation on the basis of disability by Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) may file an ADA complaint.

ADA Complaint Procedures (English)

Procedimiento para los quejas ADA (Spanish)

ADA Complaint Form (English)

Formularia de Queja (ADA) (Spanish)

Contact Information

Manatee County Area Transit Handy Bus
2411 Tallevast Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: (941)-748-2317/Fax: (941)358-2882