Paratransit Services (ADA Certified)

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complementary Paratransit Service is a transportation service designed for individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA that provides transportation for individuals who cannot otherwise access CATs fixed-route bus service for some or all of their trips. ADA Paratransit is a shared-ride, advanced reservation, origin-to-destination service provided by JAUNT on behalf of CAT. Passengers may use the service to travel to destinations within a three-quarter-mile radius of CATs fixed-route service.

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What Constitutes a Disability

The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual. CATs buses are equipped with accessibility devices to serve persons with disabilities, and not all disabilities will be deemed eligible for ADA Complementary Paratransit Service. This service is limited to individuals with disabilities who:

  • Are unable to board, ride, or disembark from an ADA accessible vehicle without the assistance of another person (except for the bus driver and lift)
  • Could ride an accessible vehicle but the route is not accessible
  • Have a specific impairment-related condition that prevents them from traveling to or from a boarding or disembarking location

Visitor Paratransit

View the Paratransit Information (PDF) for more information.

Applications

You must be pre-approved for ADA Complementary Paratransit Service. Applications for paratransit services may be picked up in person from the Downtown Transit Station located at 615 East Water Street or found online HERE. If submitting an online form, please print, sign, and mail or deliver in person.

  • By Mail: 
    Charlottesville Area Transit
    1545 Avon Street Extended
    Charlottesville VA, 22902

  • In Person:
    Charlottesville Area Transit
    Downtown Transit Station 
    615 East Water Street 
    Charlottesville, VA 22902 

Applications will be reviewed and an eligibility determination made within twenty-one days of the receipt of the application. Applicants will be notified in writing of the status of their application. In some cases, CAT may ask an applicant to provide additional information regarding their impairment. If approved, instructions will be provided on how to schedule rides as well as how to obtain a CAT ADA ID.

Final Determination & Denial

If an eligibility determination for ADA Complementary Paratransit Service has not been made within twenty-one days of CAT receiving a completed application, the applicant will automatically obtain presumptive paratransit eligibility until a final determination is made.  If an application is denied eligibility, the applicant has the option to appeal CATs decision.

Cost

Paratransit trips cost $1.50 each way. Exact change is required and is due upon boarding the vehicle. Trips must be scheduled at least one day in advance. Reservations can be made between 8:30 am and 5 pm, seven days a week by calling JAUNT at 434-296-3184. Qualified passengers may also use their newly-acquired CAT ADA ID card to ride CATs fixed-route service free of charge.

For More Information

For an overview of the paratransit policy and procedures, please visit JAUNTs website or download the ADA Paratransit Policy and Procedures (PDF). Have questions about CATs ADA paratransit application? Please call 434-970-3649 and select option 2.