| Transportation FAQ |
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Table of Contents
Updated May, 2006 [ top ] Q1) Are there accessible transportation options? A) Yes, There are many different versions of accessible transportation, and for further information, contact each individual city below. City of Alexandria
All DASH buses are wheelchair accessible. The City of Alexandria also sponsors a door-to-door transportation service for persons with disabilities. For information, call:
DASH serves the city of Alexandria. It connects with Metro bus, Metro rail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Fairfax Connector. All buses are accessible. City of Fairfax City of Fairfax CUE Bus Transit Services Transportation@fairfaxva.gov (Email) CUE provides low cost transit service within the City of Fairfax and to and from the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro rail station and GMU Fairfax campus. You can request a lift-equipped bus by calling Transit Services at least 48 hours in advance. A reduced fare of ½ the regular fare is charged to senior citizens (Age 60 and older) and persons with disabilities possessing a City or Metro ID. People may apply for ID's by contacting the office of the Transportation Division. Fairfax County Fairfax Connector Transfers are accepted from all other service providers in the Washington metropolitan region. Fairfax Connector will accept all Metro bus and combined Metro bus/rail passes, DASH passes and Metro bus tokens. Elderly/disabled fares are valid at all times for riders in possession of an Official WMATA ID or a Medicare Card. All Reston/Herndon area Fairfax Connector Buses including RIBS, Tyson's Shuttle, and Dulles Corridor Express Buses are wheelchair lift-equipped. To request a lift-equipped bus on other routes call the above number. Loudoun County Virginia Regional Transportation Association (Loudoun Transit) Loudoun Transit provides door-to-door, advance registration, and limited on-demand transportation in Leesburg and the Sterling Area (Sterling, Sterling Park, Sugarland Run, CountrySide, and Cascades). Other routes connect the communities of Purcellville, Leesburg, CountrySide, Cascades, Sugarland Run, Sterling, Sterling Park and Dulles. All buses are wheelchair accessible. Interested persons should call at least 24 hours in advance for an appointment. Loudoun Transit also provides regular, fixed-route bus service in Leesburg. Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Metro (Bus and Rail) Priority seating for seniors and persons with disabilities is available next to the door on trains and behind the driver on buses. If you use a personal assistant on a regular basis, you may register with Metro and your personal assistant will ride free. Unregistered companions pay regular fare. Metro Rail Platform edges Metro Disabled Patron ID Card Metro rail Operations Control Center This is the number that the Metrorail station managers use to find out about delays and elevator outages throughout the system. The recording is usually updated every ½ hour. Press one to hear the list of elevator outages. Please keep in mind that if the elevator you need is out of service, the shuttle to take you to the next station with a working elevator usually arrives in a ½ hour. Additionally, there are electronic displays in every station that show the locations of the elevator outages that are currently reported in the metro rail system. On-Call Accessible Bus You can request that an accessible lift equipped or kneeling bus be placed on an existing route. Hours are 8 AM to 3 PM 7 days a week. You must call at least 24 hours in advance of when service is needed. Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) GRH is a regional effort to make commuting more attractive by taking away the concern of what to do when there is a family emergency or unscheduled overtime. You must register in order to receive GRH services. There is 100% coverage for emergency ride. The ride is paid up front, no reimbursement necessary. There is a cab ride or rental car for those commuters living more than 40 miles away. Northern Virginia Washington, D.C. Area Virginia Railway Express (VRE) VRE serves the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area with trains running from Fredericksburg and Manassas. The system connects with Amtrak, MARC, Metro rail, Metro bus, DASH, and Fairfax Connector. All VRE trains, stations and services are accessible. Discounted Tickets For Persons With Disabilities to qualify, you must have a valid disabled identification card issued by Metro or a valid Medicare card. The discount is 50% off the full Single-Ride Fare. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Grey Line Tour Bus Crystal City Commuter Store Casey's Gift Shop near the L'Enfant Plaza metro rail Station. Ballston Transit Store Rosslyn Commuter Store When you make your initial visit to the Commuter Store, you may set up an account to purchase tickets in the future by mail. After you have purchased your discounted ticket and have arrived at the station, make sure that you validate your ticket in the yellow validating machine on the platform. If you need assistance, the conductors on the train will validate your ticket. Proof of eligibility must be available when using a discount ticket, so carry your Metro Disabled ID card or Medicare card with you always when traveling. [ top ] Q2) Are There Para transit Options? A) Yes, there are several different Para transit systems. For information about companies in the area, see the resources section subsection A. [ top ] Q3) How Can I Get A Designated ("Handicap") Parking Placard Or Plate? A) In Virginia you need to get a MED-10 form. You can pick one up at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or you can get one from their website at http://dmv.state.va.us by clicking on "Citizen Services" and then "Disability Services." You can also get one by clicking on "Forms and Publications." A physician must fill out the form. Bring the completed form to the DMV. Assuming your doctor says that you have a disability, you will need to pay a fee and you will receive your placard or plate on the spot. You can do it by mail, but the process does take longer. You can get a placard or a plate or both. The placard offers flexibility. You can use the placard in any car where you are the driver or a passenger. If you want the plate, you need to bring in the vehicle registration with the completed MED-10 form. [ top ] Q4) How can I get a non-driver Identification card? A) You must be a resident of Virginia to obtain an ID card. An ID card:
You may exchange your valid Virginia driver's license for an ID card for a $10.00 fee. There is no charge for an exchange for your first ID card if you are age 70 or older. Required Documents Information about documents that DMV will accept as proof of identity, legal presence and Virginia residency is presented in Acceptable Documents for Obtaining a Driver's License or Photo ID Card (DMV 141). Photocopies will not be accepted. All documents must be originals and all documents must be verifiable with the issuing entity. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, legal presence or residency when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is forged, counterfeit, or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. DMV may require additional documents. Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence and Virginia residency may change without prior notice. DMV will assign you a customer number that will display on your ID card. If you wish to change your DMV-assigned number in the future, you may be required to present documentation from law enforcement or the courts indicating that you may be a victim of identity theft. Block quote start Selective Service Registration: Generally males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered. If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn age 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of driver's license or ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567). Completed Application For a child ID card (under age 15), complete the Identification Card for Minors Application (DL 5). You may complete these forms before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your ID card. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor. Payment Issuance All of the information a customer needs to prepare for a DMV visit is available on the DMV web site at http://dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/legal_presqa.asp, or by calling the agency's toll-free telephone number at 1-866-DMV-LINE. [ top ] Q5) What Types Of Driving Adaptations Are There? A) Driving Adaptations
[ top ] Q6) Can I Rent An Accessible Vehicle? A) Yes. Accessible van rentals are available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to licensed and insured drivers. Van sizes range from full size vans modified with automatic lifts to smaller minivans equipped with power ramps. Vans are usually equipped with wheelchair tie-downs, as well as other optional equipment. Prices vary between each company. It is advised that you contact more than one company to locate the best price for your equipment choice. Credit cards are often requested for deposit but some companies will accept a check mailed in advance. See the resources section subsection B, for information about specific companies. [ top ] Q7) Can I Get A Rental Car With Hand Controls? A) Yes, the major rental car companies will provide hand controls on certain models with notice. See the resources section subsection C, for information about how to contact specific companies. [ top ] Q8) Can I buy an accessible van or have one adapted? A) Yes, there are several companies that sell accessible/conversion vans. Some companies also specialize in modification installation. See the resources [ top ] Q9) Is Driver's Training Available For People With Disabilities? A) Yes, there are several facilities that train drivers from the Northern Virginia area. See the resources section subsection F , for more information. [ top ] Q10) Can I Get A Vehicle With A Driver? A) Yes, there are transportation services available. Prices and mileage charges vary depending on the number of people and wheelchairs being transported. One aide or personal assistant usually rides along free. The number of tie-downs must be specified in advance. Most companies can transport 2 or 3 wheelchairs per van with a number of additional passengers and offer a variety of options from vans to buses. Most companies will provide limited hands-on mobility assistance for a fee. If significant assistance is required, a second person will be sent with the driver at an additional charge. The charge for a second person to assist varies depending on the length and distance of ride. It is advisable to contact companies well in advance of your planned trip regarding price and availability. See the resources section subsection D , for information about specific companies. [ top ] Q11) Do I, As A Person With A Disability With A Designated Plate, Have To Pay When I Park At A Meter? A) It depends on where you live. Each jurisdiction has different policies regarding people with disabilities and parking meters. See the resources section subsection G , for more information. [ top ] Q12) Do I, As A Person With A Disability, Have To Pay Property Tax On My Vehicle In Virginia? A) It depends on where you live. Each jurisdiction has different rules for people with disabilities paying the car tax. See the resources section Subsection H, for information about the rules in each jurisdiction. [ top ] Subsection A: Para transit Options Arlington County STAR STAR operates as part of the Arlington Transit (ART). Residents must become certified. You become certified when you apply for and receive MetroAccess. Trip service times are 5:30 AM to midnight 7 days a week anywhere that Metro Bus or Rail service is available. No restriction on trip purpose. Customer fare is $2.00 for each trip. Personal Assistants may ride free of charge. Friends may ride with you on your trip, if space is available, and pay the $2.00 fare. City of Alexandria DOT DOT serves the city of Alexandria providing transportation for individuals with disabilities who can't use DASH. It provides van and taxi service by advance reservation. DOT operates M-F 6 AM to midnight, Saturday 6:30 AM to midnight and Sunday 8 AM to midnight. For service on Tuesday thru Saturday call by 3 PM the day before your trip. You must call by three pm Friday, to reserve trips for Sunday or Monday. Fares are $2.00 each way for trips within the city of Alexandria. City of Fairfax City Wheels City Wheels is a City of Fairfax program that provides alternative transportation within the City, to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro rail station, George Mason University, and to Fair Oaks Hospital for city residents who are disabled and find it difficult or impossible to use conventional bus service. City Wheels service is provided through private taxicabs. The fare for this service is $1. Fairfax County Fastran Fastran serves Fairfax County residents with limited incomes, seniors, and persons with disabilities. This service provides rides to doctor appointments, shopping, hospital appointments, and therapy sessions. It operates on an advance reservation basis. To request a ride, you must call by noon the day before the ride is needed. Driver can assist in or out of the vehicle and with light packages. If you need further assistance, you must provide an attendant to accompany you. Rides can be scheduled Monday - Friday 8 AM and 4:30 PM between The hours of operation are 10 AM to 2 PM for Dial-A- Rides. The eligibility for these rides is based on income. Critical Medical Care Program (CMCP) is a subscription program for those with recurring medical needs such as dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or physical therapy. The fare for these rides is $1 or $2 depending on how many zones are involved. Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area MetroAccess MetroAccess operates in Washington, DC and surrounding suburbs. Service area includes the entire region within the Beltway (I-495), extending partially into Montgomery, Prince George's, and Fairfax Counties. MetroAccess aims to link transportation services to persons who, under certain circumstances, are unable to travel to or from bus stop or rail station. Fare is at least $2.50 with an additional charge for travel outside the service area. An application must be completed and certified by a health care professional detailing your disability and the need for paratransit services. MetroAccess operates by advance reservation. Ride availability is provided on a first come first service basis including applications for regularly scheduled subscription trips. Service is provided curb-to-curb. The driver provides no assistance from your origin or to your destination. You may register that you use a personal care assistant at the time of application. The personal care assistant rides free of charge but must be with you whenever you use MetroAccess. A brochure containing detailed information is available from MetroAccess. [ top ] Subsection B: Accessible Vehicle Rental Wheelchair Getaways Serves Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Ironsides Mobility Systems Ride-Away Corporation [ top ] Subsection C: Rental Car CompaniesAvis Hertz National Thrifty [ top ] Subsection D: Companies that Provide Vehicle and Driver Battle's Transportation, Inc. Vans: Full size or minivans. Available 24 hours a day with at least 24 hours advance notice. Capability extends to 5 wheelchairs. Wheelchairs can be borrowed for temporary transportation use. Limited mobility assistance is available. There is an additional charge for each additional wheelchair user. One personal assistant rides free. Call for rates. Diamond Transportation Services This company has a number of transportation options and vehicle sizes. Call for rates. Wheelchair Mobile Transport This company serves Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Charles County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County. There is a 15% surcharge on evenings, holidays, and weekends and 2 days advance notice is required. Call for rates. Arlington Blue Top Cab This company has several accessible taxicabs available. You need to have a point of origin or destination in Arlington to use this service. Reservations need to be made at least 4 hours in advance. Arlington Red Top Cab This company has several accessible cabs. You need to have a point of origin or destination in Arlington to use this service. Reservations need to be made at least three hours in advance. There is a $1.00 charge for a personal assistant. There is also an additional charge for any waiting time. Fairfax/Falls Church Yellow Cab You need to have a point of origin or destination in Fairfax or Falls Church to use this service. Reservations need to be made at least 3 hours in advance. There is a $1.00 charge for a personal assistant. Fairfax Red Top Cab This company serves the Fairfax/Falls Church area. You need to have a point of origin or destination in Fairfax to use this service. Reservations need to be made at least 3 hours in advance. There is a $1.00 charge for a personal assistant. Springfield Yellow Cab You need to have a point of origin or destination in Springfield to use this service. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. There is a $1.00 charge for a personal assistant. White Top Cab of Fairfax You need to have a point of origin or destination in Fairfax (specifically Richmond Highway Route 1 South) to use this service. Reservations should be made at least 3 hours in advance. There is a $1.00 charge for a personal assistant. The rate also includes a driver that will assist with packages at no extra charge. [ top ] Subsection E: Accessible Van Sales and Conversions Area Access This company provides vehicle modifications. Ride-Away Corporation Hours of Operation: Ride-Away is America's largest provider of modified vehicles and adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. The company sells new and pre-owned accessible vehicles as well as offering a full range of vehicle modifications including hand controls, wheelchair and scooter lifts, ramps, raised doors, lowered floors and specialized gas, brake and steering controls. Industry exclusive 5 year/50,000 mile warranty offered on all IMS, Braun and VMI lowered floor conversions. Up to 10 year financing is available. All vehicle trades, including modified and unmodified vehicles, are accepted. 24 hour emergency roadside assistance. Braun Corporation Company manufactures minivans with lowered floors, vehicle lifts and other products designed to facilitate adaptive driving. They can refer you to local dealers that sell their products. Handicaps, Inc. Sells vehicle lifts, hand controls and other modifications. Independent Mobility Systems, Inc. (IMS) IMS manufactures new modified vehicles and has information on dealers. Ironsides Mobility Systems Ironsides staff specializes in the sales, service, and installation of a wide variety of products including: conversion Vans, wheelchair lifts, scooter lifts, hand controls, power and companion seats and lowered floor mini-vans. They are also authorized dealers for Ricon, Braun, IMS, Vantage, MPS, MPD and a variety of others. MITS Corporation of Virginia Mobility Independent Transportation Systems, Inc. (MITS Corporation) offers mobility products and specialized vans. They also offer assistance with driver evaluation and training for a variety of disabilities through the Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialists. VMI According to the company, VMI builds wheelchair accessible vans, platform lifts and scooter lifts whose quality and appearance satisfies the most demanding customers. Auto Assist In addition to operating the local Wheelchair Getaways franchise, Auto Assist installs hand controls and other vehicle modifications. Bruno Independent Living Aids Bruno has a proud history of innovation that provides solutions for individuals who may face challenges with mobility. Their products: power chairs and scooters, lifts, stairway elevators and Turning Automotive Seats open up new vistas of independence for many. The major automaker offer mobility programs to assist with the costs of accessibility modifications for purchasers of their vehicles: Daimler Chrysler Motors Corporation Auto mobility is about buying or leasing and adapting a vehicle that's exactly right for your lifestyle and transportation needs. When you buy or lease any new Chrysler, Plymouth, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle from a participating dealer, Daimler Chrysler will give you a cash reimbursement to help cover the cost of installing the adaptive driver or passenger equipment on your vehicle. Leased vehicles must be leased for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible. Factory optional equipment does not qualify for reimbursement. Conversions to full-size Dodge Ram Vans, Ram Conversion Van, Ram Wagon, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Ford Mobility Motoring Mobility Motoring offers cash assistance of up to $1,000 for the installation of adaptive equipment and up to $200 on alerting devices on new Ford Motor Company vehicle purchases or leases. The program also offers comprehensive roadside assistance and a Ford cellular telephone. GM Mobility Assistance Center General Motors offers up to $1,000 toward the cost of eligible mobility adaptive equipment installed or reinstalled on purchased or leased* new GM cars, vans, or light-duty trucks. This may be applied to any aftermarket equipment needed for the driver or passenger such as hand controls, wheelchair or scooter lifting devices, steering knobs, and additional hand grips. *(Leased vehicles require lessor's approval for conversion.) [ top ] Subsection F: Drivers Training for People with Disabilities Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) ADED - The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists was established in 1977 to support professionals working in the field of driver education, driver training and transportation equipment modifications for persons with disabilities through education and information dissemination. ADED, a nonprofit association, is the primary professional organization in this specialized area, and stands ready to meet the professional needs of its members through educational conferences and research support as well as encouraging equipment development to maximize the transportation options for persons with disabilities. National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) The Driver Training Program staff is made up of licensed, registered occupational therapists and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists who are experienced in working with people with a variety of disabilities. The instructors are:
The program offers services ranging from pre-driving evaluations and education to assistance with purchasing adaptive equipment and vehicles. Services include:
All individuals accepted to the NRH Driver Training Program must have: stable health, a current driver's license or be eligible for a learner's permit, a desire to return to or begin safe driving, a doctor's order that specifies "occupational therapy-driving evaluation" and includes the doctor's signature and insurance coverage (NRH can help you determine what your coverage is), or an ability to pay an affordable fee-for-service rate system. Riverside Rehabilitation Center Adaptive Driver Training Program Riverside's adaptive driver training Program consists of two parts. The first portion is an initial evaluation that lasts approximately two hours. The evaluation generally includes one hour of clinical assessment and one hour of on-road assessment. If the assessment is for a safety evaluation only, the occupational therapist will simply report his findings to the referring physician. The second portion of the program is In-car training. Additional training (utilizing adaptive equipment if needed) is offered if it is indicated by the results of the initial assessment. In-car training may include simple safety instruction and compensatory skills or highly technical training using adaptive equipment. Training is individualized and based solely on the needs of the individual. Generally the emphasis is on proficient maneuvering (with adaptive equipment if needed), basic driving skills and safety. The instructor provides training depending upon the driver's level of knowledge. Training can range from basic driving functions to highly complicated traffic situations. After the training, the car is available for the road test conducted by the DMV although the occupational therapist cannot ride along for the test. After the evaluation and subsequent training sessions, recommendations will be made for driving and/or adaptive equipment. The program participant is responsible for having their car adapted according to recommendations from the driving instructor. Anyone can make a referral to the Adaptive Driver Training Program. Please contact Riverside Rehabilitation Institute for more information. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center serves any person with special driving needs who has medical approval and is of legal age, regardless of disability. Referrals are accepted from physicians, teachers, parents, social workers, counselors, therapists, family members and clients. Examples of clients served include those individuals with tetraplegia, stroke, amputations, and those who require bioptic lenses to drive. The program goal is to evaluate and train individuals to drive and obtain a driver's license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), if feasible. The Comprehensive Driving Program is a licensed commercial school offering:
[ top ] Subsection G: Parking Meter Information Arlington County The rule is "all may park, all must pay." You must put money in the meter. For people who don't want to have to carry change, Arlington County offers the Park Smart Card, a prepaid debit card that can me used in specially marked parking meters. The Park Smart Card can be purchased on the Internet at
Arlington County has a program called ipark. The new iPark is a thin credit card sized, simple to use, in-car parking device with a large display screen that makes it easy to read. With the iPark you simply select the type of meter where you have parked, start the iPark and place it on your dashboard. When you return to your car you just turn it off and you will have only paid for the minutes you actually parked. For information about ipark, contact the Treasurer's Office at 703-228-3082, or treasurer@arlingtonva.us. City of Alexandria City of Fairfax City of Falls Church Fairfax County Loudoun County Washington, D.C. [ top ] Subsection H: Car Tax Information Arlington County City of Alexandria City of Fairfax City of Falls Church Fairfax County Loudoun County [ top ] Subsection I: Arlington County Commuter Assistance In several Arlington County locations, transit stores sell fare cards, senior/disabled fare cards, flash passes, bus tokens, ticket books, schedules, and System maps for Metro bus, Metro rail, DASH, Fairfax Connector, VRE, Arlington Trolley and Taxi Coupons. Arlington County Commuter stores Rosslyn Commuter Store Crystal City Commuter Store [ top ] Subsection J: Additional Resources ABLEDATA ABLEDATA is a federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States. The ABLEDATA database contains information on more than 29,000 assistive technology products (over 19,000 of which are currently available), from white canes to voice output programs. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including price and company information. The database also contains information on non-commercial prototypes, customized and one-of-a-kind products, and do-it-yourself designs. To select devices most appropriate to your needs, we suggest combining ABLEDATA information with professional advice, product evaluations, and hands-on product trials. [ top ] |
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