Transfort’s Dial-A-Ride Paratransit
Our goal is to provide a convenient and comfortable transportation experience that allows our customers to maintain their independence and participate in community activities. Dial-A-Ride meets service requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and offers safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for eligible riders in Fort Collins.
What is Dial-A-Ride?
Dial-A-Ride provides door-to-door paratransit service designed to provide transportation for individuals, who because of a disability, are prevented from using the Transfort fixed route system. To use Dial-A-Ride service, customers must complete an eligibility application and receive certification from Transfort’s Dial-A-Ride program.
Who is Eligible for Dial-A-Ride Paratransit?
Eligibility for Dial-A-Ride service is assessed according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which considers a person as eligible for paratransit service when their disability prevents them from using the fixed route bus service.
In order to better serve Dial-A-Ride clients, eligibility will be categorized into three different groups:
- Unconditional: A person’s disability prevents them from using the fixed route system at any time.
- Conditional: A person’s disability prevents them from using the fixed route system part of the time. For example, if a person is sensitive to temperature extremes, Dial-A-Ride may consider the weather forecast for the following day when determining their trip’s eligibility.
- Temporary: A person’s disability prevents them from using the fixed route system for a set period of time.
How do I Apply for Dial-A-Ride?
To be eligible for Dial-A-Ride service, individuals must meet the criteria set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes having a disability that prevents them from using Transfort’s fixed route system.
All potential passengers must apply for Dial-A-Ride service and complete the registration process, which may take up to twenty-one (21) calendar days. The Dial-A-Ride office at Transfort will review the application and notify the applicant of their eligibility status. To request an application be mailed to you, please call 970-224-6066, or you can download the application at the links below. Once completed, mail or FAX your application to:
Mail:
Transfort
6570 Portner Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
FAX: 970-207-7969
NOTE: Applications are not available at this location.
Eligibility Application – English (PDF)
Solicitud de Elegibilidad para Transfort / Dial-A-Ride – en español (PDF)
Dial-A-Ride Fort Collins for Visitors with Disabilities
Visitors who have current ADA Paratransit Eligibility Certification in any other jurisdiction in the United States may use Dial-A-Ride for up to twenty-one (21) calendar days a year by providing their ADA Identification card or certification letter. Visitors who do not have this certification but have a disability that prevents access to fixed-route service may still be eligible as a visitor.
Please call an eligibility specialist at 970-224-6002 to assist you in qualifying as a visitor.
Scheduling a Dial-A-Ride Trip
Make a reservation up to 14 days in advance of your trip by calling 970-224-6066.
When your trip day arrives:
- Please be ready at least 15 minutes before your pick-up time.
- Be prepared to wait up to 15 minutes after your scheduled pick-up time.
- Watch for the driver.
- Drivers will wait for five minutes for each rider but then must continue on the route.
- If your driver has not arrived within 15 minutes of your pick-up time, please call 970-224-6066.
- If Dial-A-Ride cannot accommodate your exact request, travel times of up to sixty (60) minutes before or up to sixty (60) minutes after the requested pick-up time may be offered.
- Dial-A-Ride provides door-to-door service. Drivers are not permitted to enter beyond the threshold or ground level of any residence. Drivers will go to the door and knock or ring the doorbell. If at a public building, the driver will go to the lobby to try to make contact with a receptionist or the client.
- For the safety and security of other customers and City property, drivers must maintain line of sight of the vehicle at all times unless the vehicle is properly secured.
Dial-A-Ride Service Area & Hours
Dial-A-Ride Paratransit service operates within a defined service area that is ¾ mile from any fixed bus route; this boundary is set based on federal guidance and regulations. All trips must occur within the service area, shown on the map below. The final determination of a trip’s origin and destination falls within the discretion of Dial-A-Ride.
Dial-A-Ride also offers complementary paratransit service for the Late Night – Gold route, MAX, and special events. For more information about this complimentary service, please contact Dial-A-Ride at 970-224-6066.
Monday through Saturday | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m
Sundays and Holidays | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dial-A-Ride Address Lookup
Passenger Code of Conduct
- Carry-on packages are limited to four (4) grocery-sized bags or similar sized packages per passenger.
- No smoking on board.
- No eating or drinking on board (unless required for health reasons).
- No abusive, threatening, or obscene language or actions directed towards drivers or other passengers.
- No operating or tampering with any equipment while on board a Dial-A-Ride vehicle.
- No radios, cassette tape players, compact disc players, or other sound generating equipment are to be played aboard the vehicles without headphones.
- No verbally abusive language with any Dial-A-Ride staff whether in-person or on the phone.
Passengers who violate the code of conduct are subject to suspension of service. Suspensions may be appealed by following the process outlined under “Notice of Right to Appeal.”
Dial-A-Ride Cancellation & Suspension Policies
To ensure the best possible service for all Dial-A-Ride passengers, we have established a cancellation and suspension policy. Cancellations are accepted up to one hour prior to your schedule pick-up time and can be made by calling 970-224-6066. When canceling after business hours, you may need to leave a voicemail or message.
Excessive violations of the one-hour notice cancellation requirement may result in suspension of service. This includes late cancellations, no-shows, and cancellations at the door. If a passenger incurs three (3) violations (in any combination) in a thirty (30) day period, service may be suspended. Please note that this policy does not apply to passengers who miss a return trip due to a medical delay.
For more details on our suspension policy and to request the full Dial-A-Ride Users Guide, please email DialARide@fcgov.com.
Dial-A-Ride Reasonable Modification Policy
If you would like to request a reasonable modification to Transfort or Dial-A-Ride’s policies, practices and/or procedures to assist in ensuring that our programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities, please send a request describing what is needed to use the service to transfortinfo@fcgov.com or call 970-221-6620. Transfort or Dial-A-Ride staff will use the following criteria to determine if a request is reasonable:
- the request is not a fundamental alteration of the service;
- the request is not a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
- the request is not necessary to use the service; and
- the request does not result in undue financial or administrative burden.
Notice of Right to Appeal
Under the provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, customers and applicants have the right to appeal any determination stating that the customer or applicant is not eligible for Dial-A-Ride paratransit service or any suspension or other restrictions which may have been placed upon the customer or applicant of the service. Appellants must make their appeal within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving a notice of eligibility determination or suspension.
Appeals should be submitted in writing to:
Transfort/Dial-A-Ride
Contract Administrator
250 N Mason St
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Upon receipt of an appeal request, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride will schedule a hearing date. Service will not be rendered until a decision has been made except for “No Show Violation” appeals. Customers who appeal a “No Show” suspension will continue to receive service until a decision has been made.
Complaint Process
For additional information on Transfort’s non-discrimination obligations, or if you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under ADA Title II or Title VI, you may file a written complaint no later than 180 calendar days after the date of the alleged discrimination, with Transfort/Dial-A-Ride;
Mail: Transfort/Dial-A-Ride 250 N Mason St Fort Collins CO 80524
Phone: 970-221-6620
Fax: 970-221-6285
Email: TransfortInfo@fcgov.com