Do You Have a Disability and Need Transportation You have a Choice

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Do You Have a Disability and Need
Transportation?You have a Choice!

• FIXED ROUTE TRAINING PROGRAM
• Learn to Ride The Sun Metro Buses

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• Volar Center for Independent Living, in
  conjunction with the Texas Department of
  Transportation and Sun Metro, is providing
  training for persons with disabilities on how to
  use the Fixed Route (City Buses)

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You will Learn

• To read bus schedules and identify buses and
  routes
• To use bus passes, tickets, and transfers
• To use the bus lift, if needed
• To handle emergencies
• Your rights and responsibilities as a rider.
• AND MUCH MORE!

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Some of the Advantages -

• Increase your confidence and self-esteem
• Do your own errands and shopping
• Set your own schedules
• Move safely around El Paso streets
• Save money (If you are eligible for the Lift
  Services, the Fixed Route is free!)
• TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE!

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Whos Protected by the ADA?

• The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a
  person with a disability as
• A person with a physical or mental impairment
  that substantially limits one or more major life
  activities,
• A person with a record of having such an
  impairment, or
• A person regarded as having such an impairment.

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According to the ADA, you have the right to

• Use any public transit system.
• Expect all lifts and other accessible equipment
  to be kept in good working order.
• Have route and service information provided to
  you in a accessible format (such as Braille, TTY,
  symbols or easy-to-read print.)
• Board a bus using any Commonly Used Wheelchair
  or other mobility aid, including 3-wheel scooters
  and power chairs.

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You have the right to

• Sit wherever you desire.
• Have a service animal, if not disruptive,
  aggressive, or dangerous to others.
• Have a personal attendant (including trainers).
• Travel independently, without an attendant.
• Be treated with respect.
• Have the major streets and intersections
  announced.
• Have your wheelchair properly secured.
• Request a driver to stop at any designated bus
  stop.

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You have the right to

• Use a lift if you cannot access the steps.
• Ride the bus in your own wheelchair.
• Use a lap or shoulder harness, if you desire.
• Travel with any necessary equipment or devices,
  such as respirators or portable oxygen tanks.
• Have enough time to get on and off a bus.
• Find out if you are eligible for discounted
  fares.
• Accessible bus stops.
• To file complaints with the transit company.

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If you believe you have been denied the Right to
use Public Transportation or discriminated
against

• Try to resolve the issue with your local transit
  system.
• If this doesnt work, you may file complaint with
  the
• Office of Civil Rights
• Federal Transit Administration
• U.S. Department of Transportation at
• [phone] (Voice)1-888-446-4511
• [phone] (TTY)
• You may also file a private lawsuit.

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Travel Training StepsGet Ready, Organize and Go

• Make sure to be on time.
• Bring personal items ( I.D., medicine, proper
  clothing, money, etc. )
• If you need assistance, let the driver know.
• If you have a cell phone, take it with you.
• If the bus breaks down, stay calm.
• Wait until Sun Metro repairs the bus.
• Do not feel discourage the problem will be
  resolved.

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Contact Sun Metro Customer Service at
533-3333 or Volar CIL at 591-0800.

• To find out about
• Bus schedule and routes.
• Special fares.
• Training on how to use the Fixed Route.
• How to report your complaints on comments on
  services received by Sun Metro.

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Its never been easier to go places with Public
Transit!

• Using Public Transportation is one of the most
  important Civil Rights guaranteed under the
  Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Now you have access to the same buses used by
  others in your community.
• Accessible transportation puts you in control of
  your schedule, your time and your life.
• Try Public Transportation today and steer your
  life in an exciting new direction.

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Your responsibilities are

• Use fixed route transit instead of paratransit,
  when you can.
• Get to the bus stop at the correct time.
• Know where you are getting off or on the bus at.
• Controlling your service animal.
• Ask for the lap/shoulder strap when in a
  wheelchair.
• Tell the driver to stop at a designated stop or
  signal for the bus to stop.

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Your responsibilities are

• Pay the proper fare.
• Show the operator and other passengers respect by
  demonstrating appropriate behavior.
• Know if your mobility aid meets the requirements
  of a Commonly Used Wheelchair.
• Does not exceed 30 inches wide.
• Not more than 48 inches long, and
• Does not weigh more than 600 lbs. when occupied.

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Training

• Will be held in a classroom setting and on Sun
  Metro Buses
• Trained Peers will also be available to accompany
  and assist you during and/or after the training
  while you practice what you have learned.

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• For More Information and to Sign Up for the
  Training Call
• Jose G. Lara
• [phone] Ext. 212
• 1220 Golden Key Circle, Suite C
• El Paso, Texas 79925-5823
• josel_at_volarcil.org