Transportation
Adequate public and private transportation options are crucial for people with disabilities to be able to work, go to medical appointments, participate in recreation and social activities, and live independently. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that public and private transportation providers take steps to make their systems more accessible to people with different disabilities. For example, city and county transportation systems must offer paratransit systems, in which accessible vehicles are available to riders with disabilities who cannot use the regular fixed route transportation system. The paratransit system runs within ¾ of a mile of the same routes as regular transportation, and is available on the same days and hours. Accessible vehicles should have wheelchair lifts, designated spaces for wheelchairs, visual and aural announcements for stops, and other features. Moreover, riders with disabilities cannot be charged more than twice what a regular rider would pay for services. An individual who serves as a personal assistant for a rider with a disability must be able to ride free of charge. In addition, bus and rail stations must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The guide titled The Northern Virginia Transportation Services for People With Disabilities gives detailed information on all the transportation choices for people with disabilities in Northern Virginia. To receive a copy, call Disability Planning and Development in the Fairfax County Department of Family Services at 703-324-5219.
ADA PARATRANSIT
MetroAccess is the regional paratransit system established in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that serves people who cannot use the bus or rail service and who live within ¾ mile of any fixed bus route or Metrorail station in the metropolitan area. Parts of Great Falls, Chantilly, Clifton and Gunston are not served by transit or Metro Access. Applications are available from Metro Access - call the eligibility number and leave a message with your address. Please allow three weeks for the applications to be processed. The application process includes a personal interview. MetroAccess is available 7 days a week and rides can be scheduled for any purpose. Transportation provided includes cabs, minivans and lift-equipped buses.
(301) 562-5361
(301) 588-7535 (TTY)
City and County Operated Paratransit
Each system has different rules and regulations that govern paratransit use. Contact the provider for detailed information regarding fare structure, cancellations, waiting time, and what to do if the van or cab does not arrive when scheduled.
City Wheels (City of Fairfax) is an alternative transportation system for the residents of Fairfax City who have disabilities and are unable to use the CUE system. Individuals must apply for eligibility for City Wheels.
(703) 385-7859
TTY 1-800-828-1120
DOT Program (Alexandria City) is curb-to-curb service for mobility-impaired residents of Alexandria. Both taxicab and lift-equipped van service are available 7 days a week.
(703) 836-5222
TTY 1-800-828-1120
FASTRAN (Fairfax County) provides transportation for Fairfax area human service agencies, including the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. FASTRAN provides a mid-day Dial-a-Ride service weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. only for low-income Fairfax County residents.
703-324-7079
TTY 1-800-828-1120
STAR (Arlington County) is the pre-arranged reserved curb-to-curb transportation service for Arlington County residents Monday through Friday. Riders eligible for MetroAccess are eligible for STAR.
(703) 228-8747
TTY 1-800-828-1120
Bus Systems
Bus schedules are available from each transit provider. Some show routes routinely serviced by lift-equipped vehicles. All systems will mail route and schedule information upon request. A “senior citizen and disabled customer” fare has been established by Metro and the Fairfax CONNECTOR. Call to get detailed information on these passes.
Metrobus Customer Information
(202) 637-7000
TTY (202) 638-3780
I.D. Cards for Disabled Customers (Metrobus and Train and VRE)
(202) 962-1245
CUE (City of Fairfax) operates seven days a week and serves the City of Fairfax and George Mason University.
(703) 385-7859 (voice & TTY)
DASH (Alexandria Transit Company) buses serve Alexandria City. Advance scheduling is required for lift-equipped vehicles.
(703) 370-3274
TTY 1-800-828-1120
Fairfax CONNECTOR serves Fairfax County. The CONNECTOR’s information line provides information on all bus and rail systems operating in the metropolitan area.
(703) 339-7200
TTY (703) 339-1608
Taxi Cabs
Only companies offering wheelchair-accessible service for people with disabilities and charging regular fares are listed under this heading. Consult Yellow Pages for detailed listing of all cab companies. ((their accessible vehicles are minivans - usually with rear ramps)accessible vehicles are minivans - usually with rear ramps)
Fairfax Yellow Cab
(703) 934-4444
Red Top Cab of Arlington
(703) 522-3333
TTY (703) 522-3331
White Top Cab Company of Fairfax
(703) 644-4500
TTY (703) 683-4374
Train
Metrorail provides rapid rail service to the metropolitan area. Discounted fare cards for the disabled can be purchased in area grocery stores, transit stores, and libraries.
(202) 637-7000
TTY (202) 638-3780
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provides commuter rail service between Manassas and Washington and between Fredericksburg and Washington. VRE is equipped with wheelchair lifts, accessible parking, access ramps, audio/visual public address system, talking ticket vending machines, TTY phones, and Braille signage. Discounted fares are available for people with disabilities.
(703) 684-0400
TTY (703) 684-0551
1-800-743-3873 (schedules and fares)
Private Transportation Providers
Diamond Wheelchair Transportation
(703) 548-6500
Project WORD
Volunteer caregivers may be available to provide some transportation.
(703) 525-9673
GREYHOUND-TRAILWAYS Special Fare Program For Persons with Disabilities allows a person with a disability and an assistant to ride for the price of one. The special fare will apply nationwide to those with a disability who need assistance in boarding, exiting or traveling by bus. Regulations require the person with a disability go to the terminal 1 hour prior to departure and request a personal care attendant ticket. Call the ADA Assist line for more information.
(202) 289-5155
1-800-752-4841 (ADA Assist Line)
Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation In Our Community) National Travelers Database has implemented a user-friendly database of accessible transportation for use by travelers with disabilities and the travel industry. The database includes information on public transit systems throughout the country as well as materials on private accessible tours and tour companies. The database is available through the Project ACTION web site at www.projectaction.org.
1-800-659-6428
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