ADA Plan
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a civil rights legislation which requires that persons with disabilities receive transportation services equal to those available on the fixed-route service.
Guam Regional Transit Authority is committed to providing equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. This commitment includes complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 including Section 37.173 of DOT'S ADA regulations requiring transit operators to train their personnel to properly assist and treat individuals with disabilities with sensitivity and to operate vehicles and equipment safely. This includes training personnel to use the accessibility equipment and to accommodate the different types of common wheelchairs.
Policy It is the policy of Guam Regional Transit Authority to provide quality transportation services within our area of operation. This service will be provided without discrimination against any person including any person with a disability. Discrimination on the basis of disability against any person by Guam Regional Transit Authority or contracted employees will not be condoned and will not be tolerated.
It is the policy of Guam Regional Transit Authority that, when viewed in their entirety, services, programs, facilities, and communications provided by Guam Regional Transit Authority, directly or by a contracted service provider, are readily accessible and usable to individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. 49. CFR 37.105
Consequences of Non-Compliance All complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability will be promptly and objectively investigated. Corrective or disciplinary action will be instituted for behavior prohibited by this policy.
Days/Hours of Operation
Paratransit Hours: Guam Regional Transit Authority Paratransit Services operates the same hours as the Guam Regional Transit Authority fixed route system: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. (last run is at 7:30pm and ending with the last drop off at 8:30 p.m.) Scheduling reservations operates 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Trips must be scheduled a day or two prior to the trip to be guaranteed. Same day or late requests will be granted if the schedule permits. To call for a ride contact 671-647-7433, 671-647-7434, 671-647-7435.
Fares
Regular Fares | Discounted Fares | |
One Ride | 1.50 | .50 |
One Day Pass | 4.00 | 1.50 |
One Week Pass | 20.00 | 7.50 |
One Month Pass | 65.00 | 25.00 |
Discounted fares are for Students 6-18 years, Senior Citizens 55 years & up, and ADA Certified persons with disabilities. Children 5 years and under ride free with a parent or guardian. Certified ADA Paratransit riders may use fixed route service for the discounted fare of fifty ($0.50) cents, but the eligible rider must show the Operator their ADA Paratransit I.D. card when boarding the bus.
If riders do not pay their fare upon boarding, or if they do not present a prepaid ticket to the Operator, you will not be permitted to board. Be prepared to pay exact fare. Operators do not carry change and are not permitted to search purses, pockets, or backpacks for a customer's fare.
Passes may be purchased during Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. normal business hours at the Treasurer of Guam in the ITC Building and the Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA) Admin office.
Holiday Closures Guam Regional Transit Authority Paratransit and Fixed Route service does not run on New Year' Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Holidays are subject to change from time to time by Board of Directors' Approval.
Approved Equipment In order to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility aide on a Guam Regional Transit Authority vehicle it must meet the following standards:
- The equipment must have three (3) or more wheels.
- The measurement of the equipment must fit safely in the vehicle securement area, including footrests and backpacks. Designed for 30 inches wide and 48 inches long.
- All wheelchairs or mobility aides and occupant that can be accommodated on the lift or ramp will be transported.
- The equipment must not weigh more than 600 [lbs.] pounds when occupied. GRTA may decline a wheelchair/occupant if the combined weight exceeds that of the lift specifications or if the carriage of the wheelchair is demonstrated to be inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements.
- Walkers must be collapsible and stored between seats or under seat.
- Equipment should be in good working order, with batteries charged, tires inflated, brakes working, footrests attached, and all parts secure. (49 CFR 37.3)
Mobility Device Brakes When occupying a lift or securement area, it is recommended that passengers apply the brakes on their mobility devices; however, they are not required to do so. With power chairs or scooters, for safety purposes it is required that the power switch be turned to the “off” position.
Portable Oxygen Use Individuals with disabilities who use portable oxygen devices are allowed to travel with respirators and properly secured portable oxygen supplies as long as it does not violate laws or rules related to transportation of hazardous materials. Equipment must not obstruct the aisle. 49 CFR 37.167(h) Customers must ensure that there is an adequate oxygen supply (3/4 of full before boarding. Drivers are not authorized to operate life support equipment.
Securement Policy Operators will use front and rear tie-downs to secure mobility' devices. Operators will secure mobility devices at the strongest parts of the device; however, the passenger can indicate the most optimal tie-down spot. The mobility device will be secured front facing unless otherwise requested by the passenger. Drivers will assist passengers with securement systems, ramps, and seatbelts; however, drivers cannot assist riders using power chairs or scooters with the operation of their equipment. GRTA shall provide to transport someone whose mobility device cannot be satisfactorily restrained provided that mobility device fits within the definition described in Section 3. (49 CFR 37.165)
Stop Announcements All designated stops will be announced on fixed route buses. Any announcement requested by a passenger with a disability will be announced such as fill-in orientation announcements. (49 CFR 37.167 (a-c)J
Personal Care Attendants A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is someone who travels the same origin and destination as the paratransit rider at no charge. A PCA assists the paratransit rider with their services/personal needs. Passengers must provide their own PCA if needed. The Paratransit Application form includes a space that gives the applicant the opportunity to indicate whether or not they will need the services of a PCA.
Companions One companion is guaranteed to ride with a passenger on the GRTA Paratransit service when space is reserved one to two days prior to the rider's scheduled ride, however, they must pay the same fare as what is identified on bus fare. Additional companions may ride if space is available and the reservation for their space is made. A companion is anyone who rides with a passenger who is not designated as a PCA. (49 CFR 37 (d)J.
Service Animals A service animal is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animals individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The use of a service animal must be identified on the ADA application. In order to ride Guam Regional Transit Authority:
- The animal must be on a leash or in a container, remain under control of the owner, and behave appropriately.
- Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and cats must be kept in an enclosed carrier/container.
- The animal must remain within the rider's space such as his/her lap or feet. It may not occupy a vehicle seat.
- The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals.
- Owners are responsible for any damage caused by the animal. (49 CFR 37.167 (dj)
Adequate Scheduled Time for Boarding and Disembarking- Boarding Assistance Guam Regional Transit Authority will provide adequate time to allow individuals with disabilities to safely board and disembark the vehicle. Operators shall position the bus to make boarding and de-boarding as easy as possible. Bus operators shall provide assistance to passengers upon request. Guam Regional Transit Authority staff will periodically review on-time performance data and/or passenger complaints to determine if schedule adjustments are warranted.
Response Time The entity shall schedule and provide paratransit service to any ADA paratransit eligible person at any requested time on a particular day in response to a request for service made the previous day. Reservations may be taken by reservation agents.
- The entity shall make reservation service available during at least all normal business hours of the entity's administrative offices, as well as during times, comparable to normal business hours, on a day when the entity's offices are not open before a service day.
- The entity may negotiate pickup times with the individual, but the entity shall not require an ADA paratransit eligible individual to schedule a trip to begin more than one hour before or after the individual's desired departure time.
- The entity may use real-time scheduling in providing complementary paratransit service.
The entity may permit advance reservations up to two days in advance of an ADA paratransit eligible individuals desired trips. When an entity proposes to change its reservations system, it shall comply with the public participation requirements equivalent to those of § 37.137 (b) and (c)
Maintenance of Lifts or Ramps Bus operators must test the lift or ramp during the pre-trip inspection. Break down of accessibility equipment must be reported immediately to dispatch. A vehicle with an inoperable lift or ramp will be removed from service as soon as possible if a replacement bus is available and cannot be returned to service until repaired. If there is a lift or ramp failure, a replacement vehicle or rescue vehicle must be dispatched if the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in 30 minutes. GRTA may keep a vehicle with an inoperable lift/ramp in service for three days from the day in which the lift/ramp is discovered to be inoperative. (49.CFR 37.163)
Priority Seating Upon request, bus operators shall ask- but not require- passengers to yield priority seating at the front of the bus to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Drivers are not required to enforce the priority seating designation beyond making such a request.
Reserved Seating Mobility device securement areas on buses are reserved for exclusive use of mobility devices. Passengers using common mobility aids shall be boarded if the securement areas are not otherwise occupied by a mobility device, regardless of the number of passengers on the bus. Bus operators are required to ask passengers sitting in the securement areas to move to other available seats or to stand.
Notification of Policy GRTA will notify the public of the ADA policy on the website and in the Rider's guide.
Paratransit Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements: A person may qualify for GRTA Paratransit service if he or she has a functional disability or disabling health condition that prevents him or her from independently using GRTA buses some or all of the time. (49 CFR 37.123) Presence of a disability or a disabling health condition by itself does not automatically make a person eligible for Paratransit service. The functional ability to utilize GRTA fixed route service is the basis for eligibility.
Application will be reviewed by GRTA based on the following eligibility qualifications. A person is eligible for GRTA Paratransit service if he or she:
- Is unable to board, ride, or exit a lift/ramp-equipped bus without assistance, OR
- Needs to use a lift but it cannot be deployed safely at a bus stop, OR
- Has a disability that prevents travel to and from a bus stop under certain conditions, AND
- Is certified as having a disability.
Presumptive Eligibility GRTA will respond to applicants in writing within 21 days of receiving an application. If the applicant does not receive a determination within 21 days, the applicant shall be treated as eligible and provided services until a determination is made.
Determination in Writing GRTA’s determination concerning eligibility' will be in writing. If the determination is that the individual is ineligible, the determination will state the reason(s) for the finding.
Documentation of Eligibility GRTA will provide documentation to each eligible individual stating that he or she is ADA paratransit eligible.
Re-certification Process GRTA requires re-certification of ADA paratransit eligibility' every three years.
Categories of Eligibility: GRTA Paratransit service applicant's eligibility may be classified as conditional, unconditional, or temporary. These categories are defined and mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation.
Eligibility Categories
Category Type | Description |
Category 1 | Inability to navigate system independently. A person with a visual, physical, or cognitive disability who cannot independently navigate or use accessible fixed route services. |
Category 2 | Lack of Accessible Vehicles, Stations, or Bus Stops. A person can use an accessible bus, but does not have an accessible bus route available to take them to their destination. Prevented by disability or combination of disability and architectural barriers from getting to the boarding area. |
Category 3 | Inability to Reach a Boarding Point or Final Destination Prevented from using fixed route during a certain amount of time. A person can use accessible fixed route services, but due to a specific impairment related condition, cannot get to or from the bus stop. |
Type of Eligibility Granted
Type of Eligibility | Description |
Unconditional | All trips when it is not reasonable to use the fixed route service under any circumstance. |
Conditional | Some trips when the person can be reasonably expected to make some trips on fixed route. |
Temporary | A person is prevented from using the fixed route fora limited period of time. |
Service Area GRTA Paratransit service is guaranteed within 3/4 of a mile of GRTA's fixed route service. GRTA provides Paratransit service outside of the 3/4 mile corridor, although not guaranteed, is provided beyond the corridor when there is availability without impacting guaranteed ride schedules. (49 CFR 37.131 (a))
Origin to Destination Based on the functional ability of the rider determined at eligibility, the driver will provide one of the following types of trips 49.CFR 37.129
Curb to Curb: Customer taken from curb of pickup to curb of destination.
Door to Door: Customer taken from door of pickup point to door of destination when needed. At public entrances, bus drivers may open the first exterior door and if nearby, a second exterior door as long as providing this assistance would not pose a direct threat or leave the vehicle unattended or out of visual observation for a lengthy period of time.
Trip Scheduling Paratransit service trips may be scheduled one to two days prior to the desired trip. Reservations will be accepted the day of the trip, provided that there is room in the schedule to accommodate them. Rides will be origin to destination service.
No Show/Late Cancellation Policy Paratransit service trips must be canceled at least one hour prior to the scheduled pickup time.
The definition of a No-Show is an inability to find a passenger at the specific pick-up location or passenger refusal of the trip at the door.Riders who schedule a Paratransit service andrepeatedly have a no-show or have excessive late cancellations may be suspended from the service. Suspensions will not be imposed for circumstances that are beyond a rider's control such as:
• Rider’s Illness • Family Emergency (death, illness, or other) • Mobility aid failure• Late transit connection• Appointment cancellation/delay beyond the control of the customer • Adverse weather • Acts of God
Drivers are required to wait for customers ten minutes from arrival within the pick-up window at the pickup location to present themselves for boarding. Upon arrival, drivers will proceed to the outermost exterior door and announce themselves. Drivers will wait for the customer within the 5 (five) minute pick-up window. If the customer is not present for boarding within the pickup window, the driver will return to the vehicle and report the no show to the dispatch center.
Dispatch personnel will then verify that the driver is at the correct location and make a good faith effort to call the customer before authorizing the driver to proceed to the next destination.
If the customer can be reached and becomes available for boarding while the driver is still on site during this process, the driver will return to the door to assist the customer. Customers who are not ready for boarding upon the driver’s arrival and are still not present at the end of the ten minute waiting period, will be considered a “No-show" and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the GRTA late cancellation and No-show Policy as described below:
In any calendar month, any customer who has booked ten (10) trips or more and has “no-show” or "late cancellation” at least 10% of those trips will receive a suspension notice. Additionally, to ensure that only habitual offenders are suspended, a customer will have to accumulate three or more penalty points to receive a suspension. A customer will be subject to suspension only if both the minimum number of trips booked and minimum number of penalty points are reached during the calendar month.
A "no-show'' occurs when a customer does not present themselves for boarding the vehicle after the 5 (five) minute pick-up window.
Each No-Show is counted as one penalty point.
A "late cancellation" occurs when a customer cancels a trip less than one hour before the start of the pickup window.
Each Late Cancellation is counted as one-half penalty point.
A "cancellation at door" is when a customer cancels a trip after the driver arrives. This includes cancelling via telephone.
Each Cancellation at door is counted as one penalty point.
All suspension periods will begin on Monday. The length of a customer’s suspension will follow this schedule:
First Violation in the calendar year: Warning Letter
Second violation: 7-day (1 week) suspension
Third Violation: 14-day (2 week) suspension
Fourth Violation: 21-day (3 week) suspension
Fifth and subsequent violation: 28-day (4 week) suspension
GRTA wili retain records on customer compliance with this policy for the calendar year. A warning letter and a copy of this policy will be issued upon the first violation of the year.
Further violations of this policy will result in suspension, per the schedule.
If a no-show or late cancellation occurs because of circumstances beyond your control, the rider shall call the GRTA Transit Supervisor or Customer Service Representative at 475-4686 to explain the circumstance, and request the removal of the no-show or late cancellation
Abusive or Disruptive Behavior Service will immediately be denied on a long-term or indefinite basis to passengers who engage in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct directed at other riders, operators, or GRTA staff. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to: threats or fear of physical or verbal abuse, unlawful harassment including unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical behavior having sexual or racial connotations, unauthorized use of equipment on the vehicle, voluntarily and repeatedly violating vehicle riding rules, including smoking in the vehicle, eating or drinking without medical indication, or defacing equipment.
Suspension of Service A rider’s privileges may be suspended for any of the following infractions on any GRTA property, including vehicles, bus stops, etc.
Smoking on, or carrying a lit pipe, cigar, or cigarette within 20 feet from the vehicle.
Discarding or dumping litter in places other than the recognized receptacles.
Deliberately evading payment of fare.
Consuming alcoholic beverages or in possession of alcoholic beverages.
Eating or drinking without medical indication.
Loud, raucous, unruly, harmful, or harassing behavior.
Unauthorized use of equipment on the vehicle, or defacing equipment.
Engaging in other conduct that is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the transit facility, station, or vehicle. (RCW 9.91.025)
Capacity Constraints GRTA shall not limit the availability' of Paratransit service to ADA eligible individuals by any of the following:
- Restrictions on the number of trips an individual will be provided;
- Waiting lists for access to the service; or
- Any operational pattern or practice that significantly limits the availability of service to ADA eligible persons, such as, but are not limited to:
- A substantial number of significantly untimely pickups for initial or return trips;
- Substantial numbers of trip denials or missed trips;
- Substantial numbers of trips with excessive trip lengths; or operational problems not attributable to causes beyond the control of the entity including, but not limited to, weather or traffic conditions affecting all unanticipated vehicular traffic at the time the trip was scheduled.
Administrative Appeals Process for Individuals Denied Eligibility
GRTA requires that an applicant file a written appeal within 60 days of receipt of denial. Notification of denial will be in writing by the GRTA Executive Manager and will be sent within 30 days of determination.
GRTA will provide an opportunity to be heard and to present information and arguments to an Appeals Committee within 30 days of receipt of appeal. The Appeals Committee is comprised of:
- GRTA Executive Manager
- GRTA Transportation Supervisor
- GRTA Board of Directors Chairperson