In America, one in every four people has one or another form of disability. In many cases, people with certain disabilities face difficulty using conventional public transport services for transit. Paratransit is a community transport service that offers inclusive and accessible transportation for people with disabilities, their caregivers and other family members. It can be used in locations with a fixed-route bus or metro rail system. For people living outside of those areas, paratransit can be used by scheduling their service in advance. 

The eligibility for paratransit services is based on three criteria: unconditional, conditional, and temporary. 

• Unconditional eligibility is for people who cannot use public bus or rail service for any trips. 
• Conditional eligibility is given to people who can use conventional public transportation for some of their trips, but may need paratransit service once in a while. 
• Temporary eligibility is for people who only need paratransit for a certain condition and only for a limited period of time. 

Paratransit is different from other ride-share services in that it is designed with accessibility in mind, specifically for people who cannot use public transportation systems because of  their physical impairments or limited mobility. While many ride-share services may claim themselves to be accessible transport providers, their vehicles are not equipped with the accessibility features needed for loading the individuals. 

For people with disabilities who cannot use conventional public transportation, transiting around a city for scheduled appointments or weekly errands is much of a challenge, if not impossible. A community transport service such as paratransit gives these individuals the freedom to get to their destination with ease and convenience. This gives them huge relief and makes their life easier. 

Conclusion

No individual, regardless of their physical impairment or disability, should be barred from enjoying the freedom of mobility. With its inclusive and accessible service, paratransit allows people unable to use conventional public transport and enjoy this freedom. 

If you’re looking for a transportation company in Binghamton that provides paratransit services, contact Serafini Transportation. They are one of the most trusted transportation companies with an expansive service that includes door-to-door fixed route transportation and special needs and non-emergency transportation.