Special Transportation Efforts Program

for Persons With a Disability

Introduction

In order to assist persons with a disability in fulfilling their transportation needs and to meet requirements of  the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, this Special Transportation Efforts Program (S.T.E.P.) is available in the General Service Area of the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. This program permits approved persons with a disability to ride on vans operated by the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Transportation Department. Upon proper certification, persons with a disability may use the service by presenting a proper Identification Card and proper fare payment to the vehicle operator. The service will be available to approved persons to suit each individual's needs. Persons applying for the program should note on their application whether he or she would require a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to assist them on each trip. In addition to a PCA, a paying guest can accompany you, provided space is available.

Eligibility

Persons who can use public mass transit will not be eligible for this program. Persons with a disability are eligible to receive a "STEP" Identification Card and ride on the van system if their disability has been certified by an administrator of an authorized social service agency or a doctor.

The certifying doctor should be the disabled person's personal or family physician.

In order to meet eligibility, applicants must reside within 3/4 mile of LCTA bus routes.

Program Exemptions

Any persons who are physically or mentally capable of using public mass transportation buses will not be certified as eligible for this program. The program will not replace any Social Services Agency Program. The service will only be provided in areas served by the LCTA bus system.

Weekday service will be offered between the hours of 5:30 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. to those individuals who have program approval and who have proper identification issued to them. Saturday service will be offered from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Persons not completing the trips within these hours will be responsible for obtaining other means of transportation for completing their trips. The service will not be provided on Sundays or on the following holidays: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Fourth of July; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Consistently missed trips on the part of ADA eligible individual will be cause to suspend service to that individual.

Fare

The fare for persons with a disability who qualify under the S.T.E.P. Program will be $ 3.00 per one-way trip. Fare tickets can be purchased from the L.C.T.A. in any quantity by forwarding a check or money order payable to LCTA-S.T.E.P. and mailed to the LCTA, 315 Northampton Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704 or purchased at the LCTA offices, same address, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Passengers must present the fare ticket and proper Identification Card to the vehicle operator upon boarding. If you require someone to help you with your personal needs while traveling, that person must be designated as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA, someone designated or employed specifically to help the individual meet his or her personal needs) and must accompany you on every trip. Personal Care Attendants are not required to pay a fare. In addition to the PCA, and provided space is available, you may have a guest accompany you on a trip. Guest who are permitted to ride with program participants will be required to pay a fare of $ 3.00 per one-way trip by using approved fare tickets.

Use of Identification Cards

In order for an approved participant to use the service, a trip must be arranged with the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Transportation Department by calling 288-8420 daily. All trips, including Mondays and day after Holidays, must be arranged by 5:00 P.M. the previous day.

Once a trip has been properly arranged, and the vehicle has arrived, the Identification Card and a fare payment ticket must be presented and a fare must be paid. Only fare tickets sold by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority will be accepted for the program. No cash will be accepted by vehicle operators and no additional fare will be required at any time.

Further Information

If you have any questions concerning the program, please contact the Luzerne County Transportation Authority at 288-9356.

Thank You.