Skip to main content

Paratransit

Paratransit

East Bay Paratransit is a public transit service for people who have a disability or a disabling health condition that prevents them from using buses or BART trains. AC Transit and BART established this service to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). East Bay Paratransit transports riders from their origin to their destination in a shared-ride lift-equipped van. It’s not necessary to wait at a bus stop or go to a BART station.

For more information visit: http://www.eastbayparatransit.org/

What is East Bay Paratransit?

East Bay Paratransit goes to the same places that AC Transit and BART goes, from Richmond/Pinole in the north, to Fremont in the south, to Castro Valley in the east, and west into and from San Francisco. Transportation to other Bay Area cities can be arranged by transferring from East Bay Paratransit to other paratransit services.

Read more about eligibility and obtain an application.

East Bay Paratransit funding and oversight

  • East Bay Paratransit is partially funded by two Alameda County voter approved transportation sales tax Measures called Measure B and Measure BB.
  • Measure B was approved in 2000 and is a half-cent sales tax passed to deliver essential transportation improvements and services. Measure BB was approved by voters in 2014 and extended and augmented the existing transportation sales tax receipts from Measure B. Measure BB expanded the tax to 1% and also increased the percentage of paratransit dedicated funds that East Bay Paratransit receives.
  • Oversight and distribution of funds from these measures is provided by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC).

Who provides East Bay Paratransit?

  • East Bay Paratransit is provided by AC Transit and BART. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all bus and rail companies to provide paratransit service to riders whose disabilities prevent them from using regular public transit. The two agencies joined together to work cooperatively to provide ADA paratransit in their overlapping service areas for individuals who are eligible.
  • Both agencies also operate accessible regular services that are used daily by many individuals with disabilities.
  • For more information,, visit: http://www.eastbayparatransit.org/who-provides-east-bay-paratransit.htm

When and where does East Bay Paratransit run?

Service is provided during the hours of AC Transit’s bus and BART’s rail operations. Service is limited to areas within ¾ mile of an operating bus route or BART station. Call (510) 287-5000 for information about specific times and locations.

How does someone become eligible to use the service?

East Bay Paratransit is only available to people who are prevented from using regular transit like AC Transit’s or BART’s regular service without the aid of another person due to a disability or disabling health condition. Regulations for eligibility come from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In order to be eligible for the service, complete a written application and arrange for an in-person interview.

Call East Bay Paratransit at 510-287-5000 for click here to obtain an application.

Once eligible, how are rides arranged?

Call East Bay Paratransit at (510) 287-5000 to make a trip reservation anytime between 8 am and 5 pm, any day of the week. Reservations are taken up to seven days in advance. However, to schedule a ride for tomorrow, call the reservation in no later than 5 pm today. Reservations for same day trips are not accepted.

To make your reservation, the Customer Service Agent will need:

  1. The pick up street address and city
  2. The drop off  street address and city
  3. Your phone number
  4. The time you want to be picked up or the time you need to be at your drop off location.

The Customer Service Agent will then provide you with a 30 minute pick up window indicating when your van will arrive.

Please remember that this is a “shared ride” service. That means riders share the vehicle with other paratransit riders.

How much does East Bay Paratransit cost?

Rides within the East Bay range from $4.00 to $7.00 and service to or from San Francisco start between $6.00 and $10.00. The customer services agent will quote the fare for the trip when the ride is scheduled. The driver will collect the fare when the rider boards the van.

Fares can be paid either in exact change (drivers cannot make change) or with East Bay Paratransit tickets. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at East Bay Paratransit, AC Transit and BART ticket offices, or online. For more information on rates and how to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.eastbayparatransit.org/rates.htm

Does the driver give any assistance?

Yes, the driver will help in several ways. For example, the driver can assist with up to two small grocery bags, or lend an arm to lean on while riders get on or off the van. The driver will help riders using wheelchair on and off the lift and secure their chair in the van. However, drivers cannot push or pull wheelchairs up/downstairs. Drivers must also be able to see the vehicle at all times, so they cannot go into a home, or go past the ground floor lobby of any building.

What happens on the day of the trip?

Once a reservation is made, the customer services agent will give the rider a 30-minute “window” in which to expect the ride. The paratransit vehicle will come to the pick-up address and the rider must be ready to board the vehicle at the beginning of this 30-minute window. If the driver cannot locate the rider within 5 minutes of arriving, he or she may leave in order to pick up other riders. If a ride is late, call East Bay Paratransit customer services at 510-287-5000 to find out the estimated time of arrival.

What if there is a problem with a trip?

Customer services staff are available on the telephone during all hours that East Bay Paratransit operates. They can help with things like an estimated arrival time for a ride that is running late. To register a commendation or a complaint, you can speak to an agent or leave a telephone message with the details by calling (510) 287-5000.

Is information provided in accessible formats?

All certified riders are given a “Rider’s Guide” that has many details about using East Bay Paratransit. Riders may request materials in accessible formats, including large print, Braille, audiotape, or computer disc. Contact East Bay Paratransit by phone for more help.

All East Bay Paratransit materials are available in accessible formats and in English, Spanish and Chinese. To obtain information in accessible formats including large print, Braille or CD, contact Customer Service at (510) 287-5000.

For materials in English, Spanish and Chinese, please visit: http://www.eastbayparatransit.org/

Quick Reference Numbers at East Bay Paratransit

Administration
(510) 287-5000
1750 Broadway

Oakland, CA 94612
8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday

Reservations
(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800)-555-8085, press 1

Customer Service / Schedule Ride Information

(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800)-555-8085, press 2

Cancellations
(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800) 555-8085, press 3

Commendations or Complaints
(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800)-555-8085, press 4

Certification
(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800) 555-8085, press 5

General Information

(510) 287-5000 or
1-(800)-555-8085, press 6

TTY device for hearing impaired
(510) 287-5065