brite bus driver helping passenger with disability

BRITE Access

ADA Compliant Complementary Paratransit.

BRITE provides accessible transportation through ADA Compliant Complementary Paratransit Service and Deviated Fixed Route Service within a ¾ mile radius of any of the BRITE fixed routes. These co-mingled transportation services are designed for individuals with disabilities as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) who cannot otherwise access BRITE’s fixed route bus service for some or all of their trips. This is an origin to destination service.

All BRITE vehicles are equipped with mobility device lifts. Drivers are trained in passenger assistance, defensive driving, and mobility device securement procedures to provide a safe and enjoyable trip.

Eligibility:
In order to use ADA Compliant Complementary Paratransit Service, you must first apply to be certified. Individuals who have one or more disabilities that prohibit them from taking a bus must complete an application and be certified eligible. ADA Compliant Complementary Paratransit Service is limited to individuals with disabilities who:

  • Are unable to board, ride, or disembark from an ADA accessible vehicle without the assistance of another person (except for the bus driver and lift)

  • Could ride an accessible vehicle but the route or bus stop is not accessible

  • Have a specific impairment-related condition that prevents them from traveling to or from a boarding or disembarking location

The application has two parts: one section that must be completed by you or someone on your behalf, and another section that must be completed by a medical professional who is familiar with your abilities. Once the completed application has been received, BRITE will make a determination about your eligibility within twenty-one (21) days. If there is a delay in the review period, applicants will be provided service on a presumption of eligibility until the process can be completed.

ADA Application Form

ADA Visitors

Service will be provided to eligible visitors. Visitors are presumed eligible for service after providing documentation of their ADA eligibility in the jurisdiction where they reside. If no such documentation is available, the visitor is to provide documentation of residence outside of the jurisdiction where service is being requested and, if the disability in not apparent, proof of the disability. Service is provided for no more than twenty-one (21) days during a three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. After twenty-one (21) days of service in this time frame, visitors are required to complete BRITE’s full eligibility process.

Call our customer service phone number, 540-943-9302, to make your reservation. You can request a trip on the prior day and up to two weeks in advance. If calling after hours, an answering machine is available to leave your request for reservation. Messages are reviewed before service begins and added to the daily manifest to ensure next day service.

Please be prepared for the vehicle to pick you up between fifteen (15) minutes prior to, and fifteen (15) minutes after your scheduled pick-up time, unless we inform you otherwise. Our drivers will wait up to five (5) minutes for you; if you have not arrived within that time, the vehicle will leave to pick up its next passenger. Remember that if you are not ready on time, you are affecting the schedule of other passengers.

ADA Compliant Complementary Paratransit Service and Deviated Fixed Route operates during the same times that BRITE fixed route buses operate. Rides can be requested from and to any locations within a ¾ mile radius of a fixed route, within our service area of Staunton, Waynesboro, and portions of Augusta County.

For Staunton routes, fare for each trip is $0.50. All other fares are $1.00 for each trip. You must have the exact fare, as drivers do not carry change.

If you need to cancel a scheduled trip, please call the BRITE dispatcher as soon as possible. It should be at least two (2) hours before the schedule pick-up time. If you cancel later than that, or if our vehicle arrives to pick you up and you are not there, that causes a cancellation.

Exceptions may be made due to delayed medical appointments or unplanned emergencies. These will be determined on a case by case basis.

Information Regarding Attendants and Companions.

Driver Assistance
Drivers are not trained Personal Care Attendants (PCAs); therefore, any patron requiring assistance from their residence to the vehicle or with a first-aid apparatus or mobility aide may choose to have a PCA. Patrons who do not have the assistance of a PCA may request that reasonable accommodation be made (see Reasonable Accommodation section below). Drivers are not permitted to enter homes or destinations to assist passengers or assist with packages. BRITE drivers will assist you with boarding and disembarking the vehicle and will also help you secure yourself or mobility device in the vehicle. For safety reasons, our drivers must remain within sight of their vehicle, and can only assist you from the curb of your trip origin to the curb of your destination, if needed or requested.

Attendants & Companions
All eligible BRITE passengers are permitted to travel with a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) or Companion. You must notify the dispatcher at the time you request the trip. PCAs will be permitted to accompany ADA eligible riders on ADA eligible trips at no charge. A Companion may accompany the eligible ADA rider and is required to pay the same fare. You and your companion must have the same origin and destination.

Service Animals
Service animals are permitted on BRITE vehicles. Service animals are any animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. They may accompany passengers in the vehicles or facilities. The passenger must be in direct control of the service animal at all times.

Safety Information:

  • You may not operate any audio or visual equipment that might interfere with the comfort of other passengers or impair the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.
  • We cannot allow any inappropriate behavior, activities, or conversations on board, as they might interfere with the safety and comfort of other passengers.
  • For safety reasons, you are encouraged to wear a seatbelt.
  • If you need additional help boarding or exiting the vehicle, please do not hesitate to ask.
  • Mobility devices are not to exceed the capacity of ramp.
  • Portable oxygen and respirators are permitted on BRITE vehicles.

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