Expanded Transit Services for Disabled to Be Required

The Transportation Department announced Friday that most public and private transportation systems will be required to meet the needs of disabled people, regardless of whether they receive federal money.

The new regulations, parts of which will be phased in through 1995, are designed to codify the transportation sector’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed by President Bush last year.

When the requirements are fully implemented, “it will be easier for people with disabilities to use public transportation to get to schools and jobs, as well as social, recreational and cultural activities,” Transportation Secretary Samuel K. Skinner said.

The department’s final rule implementing the act also requires public systems operating fixed-route service to provide “paratransit” service even when regular routes are accessible to the disabled.

Paratransit services are alternate forms of public transportation including door-to-door van pick-ups.

The rule requires next-day service, with no restrictions based on the purpose of the trip. Fees for paratransit service may be as much as double the fixed-route fare for a similar trip.

The department is preparing a “how-to” handbook to help local transportation authorities prepare for paratransit programs, which may be phased in over several years.

The department’s Urban Mass Transportation Administration will decide on any requests that paratransit service be waived due to excessive financial burdens.

Private operators, such as charter bus services or hotel shuttle buses, also must provide vehicles accessible to the disabled.

All commuter, rapid and light rail systems must identify and designate “key” stations to be made accessible to the disabled within three years.