Last Updated on Monday, 26 March 2012 14:53

Bee-Line ParaTransit is a shared ride service for which reservations must be made from one to seven days in advance.

Since it is an Origin-to-Destination and curb-to-curb service, the ParaTransit vehicles do not go into driveways or parking lots.

ParaTransit does not provide service to any area outside of Westchester County. Although ParaTransit currently provides some services beyond those required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the goal in the future is for ParaTransit service to more closely “mirror” regular Bee-Line bus service.

Bee-Line Taxi pilot program to start April 2
The anticipated changes to the county's popular paratransit system, which provides transportation for those unable to use regular bus service due to disabilities, are expected to start April 2. The pilot program will run for one year. Also, new fuel-efficient vehicles are being incorporated into the county's paratransit fleet.

Hours of operation
Generally, service will be provided during the following hours, though service may not be available in all areas at all times.

Monday - Friday:  5 a.m. to 1:40 a.m
Saturday:              5:30 a.m. to 1:40 a.m.
Sunday:                5:50 a.m. to 12:35 a.m.

Holiday service

• ParaTransit reservation lines are closed on all holidays.
• ParaTransit service is not provided on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

Under ADA, ParaTransit is only required to provide service if:

• both the starting point and destination of a trip are located within 3/4 mile of a regular Bee-Line bus route and
• only during hours when that regular Bee-Line bus route is in service.

Some ParaTransit riders whose trips begin and end within the 3/4 mile limit can travel during additional service hours.

Holiday service is similar to the bus schedules on the routes in the areas of the trip origin and destination.

Transfers
If a trip on a regular Bee-Line bus requires a transfer, then a ParaTransit rider going from a similar starting point to a similar destination may also have to move to another ParaTransit van at a convenient transfer point. Whenever service is modified or fares are changed, complete information on the changes will be provided.

Bee-Line ParaTransit Background
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a civil rights bill, was designed to remove barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from fully participating in American society. In the area of public transportation, the ADA clearly states that regular bus service should be the primary means of public transportation for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Under the ADA, transit agencies like the Westchester County Department of Transportation are required to provide origin-to-destination, curb-to-curb, demand-responsive ParaTransit service that “mirrors” their fixed-route service in terms of service times and areas. The service is a “safety net.” It is only for those persons who do not have the functional capability to ride fixed-route Bee-Line buses. Westchester County’s service is called Bee-Line ParaTransit.

Transportation Advisory Committee
Bee-Line ParaTransit receives advice and guidance from the Transportation subcommittee of the Westchester Council for the Disabled. The subcommittee meets regularly to discuss transportation issues which affect the disabled community. The subcommittee is composed of consumers, advocates and agency representatives. For more information about the Transportation Advisory Committee, call the Office for the Disabled at (914) 995-2960.