ADA Paratransit

COAST’s ADA paratransit service provides transportation that complements local and regional fixed-route bus service, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service is available only to individuals who have been determined eligible through the ADA application process. Visitors should refer to the Visitor Eligibility section below.

Service is typically curb-to-curb, with assistance to or from the door available upon request. Trips are available to destinations within three-quarters of a mile of an existing COAST bus route and operate during the same days and hours as the fixed-route service available at the nearest bus stop.

What to Know Before You Ride

• Advance reservations are required. Same-day trip requests and changes cannot be accommodated.
• Pickup times depend on vehicle availability and other reservations, so your preferred time may not always be available.
• This is a shared-ride service, so your trip may include other passenger pickups and drop-offs. Please allow extra travel time.

Trips can be taken for any purpose, including work, medical appointments, shopping, recreation, or personal errands.

Paratransit Fares

The fare is $4.00 per one-way ride.

ADA Complementary Paratransit is available to individuals whose disability prevents them from using COAST’s local and regional fixed-route bus services, despite the accessible features of the buses and the system.

You may be eligible if your disability prevents you from one or more of the following:

• Traveling to a bus stop.
• Traveling from a bus stop to your destination.
• Boarding a bus, even with all available accessibility features.
• Riding or exiting a bus, even with all available accessibility features.
• Understanding or navigating the fixed-route bus system.
• Otherwise using the fixed-route bus system because of your disability.

Income, ability to drive, convenience of other transportation options, and the availability of family or friends are not used to determine ADA eligibility.

Eligibility Determination Process

1. Complete the TripLink Common Application.
2. Have a qualified health care professional complete the required section.
3. Participate in an in-person interview with COAST’s Transit Accessibility Specialist. Free transportation to and from the interview is available.
4. Complete any additional in-person functional assessments that are determined to be necessary. Free transportation is available for these appointments.
5. Receive your eligibility determination. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal.

Types of Eligibility

Unconditional eligibility: You may use ADA Complementary Paratransit for any trip that meets ADA service guidelines within the applicable service area, days, and hours.

Conditional eligibility: You may use ADA Complementary Paratransit only under certain circumstances. Each requested trip is evaluated individually to determine whether your disability prevents you from using the fixed-route bus service for that specific trip.

Ineligible: Based on the information provided during the eligibility process, you may be determined ineligible if your disability does not prevent you from using COAST’s fixed-route bus service.

Visitors who are ADA paratransit eligible through another transit agency may use COAST’s ADA Complementary Paratransit service for up to 21 days during any 365-day period. Visitors who need service beyond 21 days must complete COAST’s ADA eligibility process.

To schedule a trip, please contact TripLink at 603-834-6010 (TTY: 1-800-735-2964). Before your reservation can be scheduled, COAST must receive documentation of your ADA eligibility from your home transit agency. If obtaining documentation is difficult, please let us know so we can help find a resolution.

If you are visiting from an area that does not have an ADA paratransit provider, you may still qualify as a visitor. We may request documentation of your disability and proof of your home address, but you do not need to complete COAST’s full ADA eligibility process for visitor service.

COAST ADA-eligible riders may also use visitor service with other transit agencies. Your COAST eligibility card should be sufficient documentation; contact us if another agency needs additional information.

COAST uses the TripLink Common Application for transportation services that require an application. The application allows you to apply for multiple services at the same time.

You can complete the TripLink Common Application online or by calling TripLink at 603-834-6010.

Applying for ADA Complementary Paratransit also requires a functional evaluation form completed by a health care professional. You are responsible for getting this form to your health care professional and ensuring it is received by COAST.

Once COAST receives your completed application, including the health care professional’s evaluation form, we will contact you to schedule an in-person interview. COAST may also require an in-person functional assessment to better understand your transportation needs. Free transportation is available to and from required interviews or assessments.

You will receive an eligibility decision by mail within 21 days of your in-person interview. If a decision is not made within 21 days, you have the right to receive ADA Complementary Paratransit service until a final determination is made. If you are found eligible, you will receive a paratransit ID card as proof of eligibility.

If you disagree with your ADA Complementary Paratransit eligibility determination, you have the right to appeal. Information about how to request an appeal will be provided with your determination letter.

All eligibility decisions made during the appeals process are final. However, if your disability-related needs or circumstances change in the future, you may reapply for ADA Complementary Paratransit service.

Appeals Policy (PDF)

These procedures cover all complaints filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for alleged failure to adhere to the requirements of the Act or its supporting regulations in the operation of a program or activity administered by the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST).

ADA Complaint and Investigation Procedures (PDF)

ADA Complaint Form (PDF)