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Able-Ride, NY
Able-Ride is a shared ride, curb-to-curb (or Origin to Destination service when requested) paratransit bus service for people with disabilities. Able-Ride provides transportation for people who are unable to use fixed route bus service for some or all of their trips.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Due to Transition to Veolia Transportation from the MTA:
Will the Able-Ride service area be changed now that Veolia is operating the bus and paratransit system? – We have made a contractual commitment to leave the Able-Ride service area untouched for 3 years (through 2014) even if fixed routes change. This guarantee is a very important aspect of the signed contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation, agreed to and approved by the Nassau County Legislature on December 12, 2011.
This means that Able-Ride passengers can be assured that the service area will not be decreased for 36 full months. It is the intention of the County and Veolia to preserve this service area even beyond this three-year time commitment, and all parties are committed to trying to find the funding to do so. We look forward to working with the Accessibility Transportation Oversight Community and leaders and members of the disabled community to ensure excellent service and open lines of communication.
Will Able-Ride passengers have to be recertified? – No, unless your certification was temporary or conditional and then only on the same cycle as established by current Able-Ride policies. All other Able-Ride certification will remain active.
Will fixed route E&H half fare policy continue? – Yes, it's a matter of law.
Will you consider a method for customers to make reservations online, especially those with speech impediments? – Yes, as soon as we have time to settle in and implement the best technology to make this happen. We are eager to streamline our service and we believe online reservation capabilities will do that.
Hours of Operation – Able-Ride service is provided Monday-Friday 7am-11pm, Saturday 8am-9pm and Sunday 9am-6:30pm. Outside of these times the service is provided only for trips which start and end within ¾ of a mile of fixed route service which is operating at the time the customer wishes to travel.
Service Area
Able-Ride provides trips that start and end within ¾ of a mile of fixed route service that is operating at the time the customer wishes to travel. Request for service that starts or ends outside of the ¾ mile area cannot be accepted.
Able-Ride will take you to any location within the ADA service area within Nassau County.
Trips may be for any reason, including educational, personal, recreational or business-related purposes.
Able-Ride customers can also travel from Nassau County to points east in Suffolk County or to points west in New York City by transferring to Suffolk's SCAT or New York City Transit's Access-A-Ride paratransit system. Customers who transfer are required to pay both fares.
Able-Ride does not service the following areas: Syosset, Bayville, Oyster Bay, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, Locust Valley and Sands Point. Able-Ride provides partial service in the following areas: Valley Stream, Woodmere, Old Bethpage, Hicksville, Long Beach, Glen Cove and Lawrence. Veolia has not changed these guidelines, — these were in effect under the MTA and Veolia is continuing to offer service exactly equivalent to what the MTA offered.
Able-Ride provides direct service to points approximately two miles east of the Nassau/Suffolk border. For destinations further east, you can transfer to a SCAT bus at Walt Whitman Mall, Huntington; Sunrise Mall, Massapequa; or the Long Island Rail Road Farmingdale Station.
For travel between Nassau and Suffolk Counties, call Able-Ride at 516-228-4000 to reserve trips. For trips wholly within Suffolk County, call Suffolk County's SCAT system at 631-738-1150.
For travel between Nassau and Queens Counties, call Able-Ride at 516-228-4000 and New York City Transit's Access-A-Ride at 877-337-2017 to reserve these trips. Customers may transfer to Access-A-Ride at Long Island Jewish Hospital (main entrance-east side only) in New Hyde Park and at Green Acres Mall (main entrance-south side at J.C. Penney) in Valley Stream, or at 223rd Street and Hempstead Avenue in Queens Village.
How to Apply
You and a licensed health care professional of your choice must complete the Able-Ride application. The application form determines the circumstances under which the applicant can use the fixed route system and when he/she will require Able-Ride. Each application is evaluated individually, taking into consideration all of the information provided. As part of the eligibility determination process, Able-Ride may send you to our medical certifier for a functional evaluation.
If eligible, you will receive an identification card and procedures to follow when using Able-Ride. If you are denied eligibility, a statement explaining the reason for denial and information regarding the Able-Ride appeal process will be provided. To obtain an Able-Ride application, call 516-228-4000.
Fares
Effective Sunday, June 28, 2009, the one-way fare is $3.75 ($7.50 round trip) for registered customers and guests. If you are certified as requiring a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to accompany you, the PCA will ride at no extra charge. You can pay cash (exact fare only) or use tickets that you purchase in advance. To obtain an Able-Ride ticket book order form call Able-Ride at 516-228-4000. For customers who are deaf/hard of hearing customers, please use your preferred relay service provider or the free 711 relay.
How to Arrange for a Trip
You can arrange for an Able-Ride trip up to seven days in advance by calling Able-Ride at 516-228-4000, weekdays, Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For customers who are deaf/hard of hearing customers, please use your preferred relay service provider or the free 711 relay.
Please have the following information ready for both the pick-up and return trips:
Your ID number, as it appears on your identification card.
The date of your trip(s).
The address and telephone number of your pick-up and destination locations. (If the place of the pick-up/destination has more than one door or entrance, be ready to specify which entrance and be sure to include the nearest cross street or landmark. Also, please note that Able-Ride offers a brochure listing the Key Pick-Up and Drop-Off Location for designated stops at frequently visited locations in Nassau County.)
The time you wish to arrive.
Whether you require space for a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), a guest, or both.
The time you wish to return.
Any special instructions, such as the need for the bus operator to announce his or her presence if you are visually impaired.
Register your cell phone with Able-Ride so it can contact you in the event of a service change.
The reservationist will tell you while you are on the telephone whether or not your trip request can be accommodated. You may be offered an alternate pick-up or return time.
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