Paratransit
MAX aims to provide safe, reliable, and excellent transportation to all riders including individuals with disabilities that may prevent them from utilizing our fixed route buses. In an effort to aid/ accommodate disabled riders, MAX offers Paratransit service, a shared-ride, origin to destination alternative transport. Paratransit buses operate during the same hours as fixed route buses and transport only within the Birmingham City- Jefferson County limits.
Service Hours:
Monday – Thursday
4:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Paratransit Call Center
Monday - Friday
5:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Saturdays
6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Sundays
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CST)
Call: (205) 521-0101
Paratransit Fares
| Type | Fare |
|---|---|
| One-Way Trip Ticket | $2.00 |
| One-Way Trip Cash Fare | $2.00 |
| Paratransit 10 Ride Ticket | $20.00 |
| Paratransit Monthly Pass | $80.00 |
| Access Pass | $25.00 |
| Personal Care Attendants | No Charge |
| Certified Paratransit riders with valid ID may ride Fixed-Route services | No Cost |
Paratransit ID cards are Free and can be obtained with proper identification, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9AM – 4PM at the MAX Administrative Offices located at 1801 Morris Avenue. Replacement of lost or stolen ID cards can be re-issued for a $5 fee at the same location. You may contact the ADA office at (205) 521-9048 for additional information.
Eligibility
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority offers Paratransit services to individuals who, because of a disability (physical, cognitive or visual), cannot access fixed routes buses. The ADA defines eligibility for complementary Paratransit service in 49 CFR Section 37.123 of the federal regulations. Eligibility is limited to people who fall within one of the following three categories into which eligible persons are placed according to their degree of disability.
CATEGORY 1 – Inability to Navigate System Independently
Category 1 consists of those individuals with a disability who are not independently able to board, ride, or disembark any vehicle on the system which is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Even with assistance provided by the bus operator and the vehicle’s accessibility equipment, this individual would not be able to utilize the regular fixed route system. Examples of persons included in this category may be those with mental and physical impairments, including a vision impairments, who cannot navigate (recognize destinations or understand transfers) the bus system. {49 CFR Section 37.123 (e)(1)}
CATEGORY 2 – Lack of Accessible Vehicles, Stations, or Bus Stops
Category 2 consists of any individual with a disability who needs the assistance of a wheelchair lift or other boarding assistance device and is able, with such assistance, to board, ride, or disembark from any vehicle which is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities if the individual wants to travel on a route on the system during the hours of operation of the system at a time, or within a reasonable period of such time, when such a vehicle is not being used to provide designated public transportation on the route . Persons included in this category would be those with cognitive impairments who cannot navigate the system. Additionally, those patrons who must use a wheelchair and cannot reach the bus stop due to lack of curb cuts or sidewalks are also eligible for this category. {49 CFR Section 37.123(e)(2)}
CATEGORY 3- Specific Impairment-Related Condition
Category 3 consists of individuals with a disability who has a specific impairment-related condition which prevents such individual from traveling to a boarding location or from a disembarking location on such system. {49 CFR Section 37.123(e)(3}
To apply for Paratransit services you must complete an application that is available from the button below or by calling 205-961-5614 ext. 1029
Paratransit services.
The information in this application is needed to establish your eligibility for Paratransit service under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The ADA requires that comparable transportation be provided to persons with functional disabilities who, because of their disability, are unable to access or use regular bus service. If you believe that you have a disability that prevents you from using a BJCTA/MAX Transit bus, please complete the enclosed application and return it to the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority as indicated on the application.
A complete application has the following three parts:
1. Application (The Application should be completed and signed by the applicant, or their representative.)
2. Release of Information Form (The Release of Information form should be completed and signed by the applicant, or their representative.)
3. Medical Verification (The Medical Verification should be completed and signed by one of the licensed medical professionals indicated on the verification form.)
In order for the BJCTA to evaluate your application for Paratransit eligibility, it may be necessary for the BJCTA to contact a physician or other licensed health care professionals to confirm the information you have provided. It is important that all parts of this form are completed and returned promptly. If the application is not complete, it will be returned to you for completion, which will delay the determination process. It could also delay your transportation. A determination regarding your eligibility for Paratransit service will be made within 21 days after receipt of the completed application. You will be notified in writing as to the decision on eligibility.
If eligibility is denied, the written notification of denial of services will also include information as to how you may appeal the decision.
If you have any questions, or if you need help in completing this application, please call BJCTA Paratransit at 205-961-5614 ext. 1029
BJCTA does not collect fares for travel to and from Paratransit eligibility assessments, interviews, or photo ID issuance. These services are provided at no cost to the rider.
Visitor Eligibility
MAX provides transportation to Paratransit visitors from other Transit Agency.
For more information contact the MAX ADA Office at 205-961-5614 ext. 1029 Monday -Friday 8:00 a.m 5:00 p.m (CST) upon or prior to arrival when visiting the Birmingham area.
Steps to Acquire Visitor Privileges Are Available Below
See Our Service Area
Service Animals
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of a service animal?
Under Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.3, “service animal” is defined as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.” DOT ADA regulation 49 C.F.R. Section 37.167(d) requires transit entities to permit service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. Appendix D to Section 37.167 contains further important information on service animals. It is important to note that while the U.S. Department of Justice has amended the definition of “service animal” for purposes of its ADA regulations under Titles II and III of the ADA, for state and local governments and places that are open to the public, the definition under DOT ADA regulations for transportation has not changed. Therefore, members of the public may find that some service animals may no longer be considered service animals once they leave a transportation system.
Are transit providers required to allow a passenger to travel with a comfort animal?
No. Under Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.167(d), transit entities are only required to allow service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. DOT ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.3 define a service animal as an animal “individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” If an animal’s only function is to provide emotional support or comfort for the rider, that animal would not fall under the regulatory training-based definition of a service animal. Simply providing comfort is something that animal does passively, by its nature or through the perception of the owner. However, the ADA does not prohibit a transit agency from choosing to accommodate pets and comfort animals, which would be a local decision.
TTY Information
711 for Telecommunications Relay Service
Background
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted use of the 711 dialing code for access toTelecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disabilityto use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or withoutsuch disabilities.
For more information about the various types of TRS, see the FCC’s consumer guide,or visit the website of our Disability Rights Office (DRO).
Making TRS Calls
If you want to call someone using TRS, use your TTY or dial 711 on your telephone, and you will automatically be connected to a TRS operator.
If you’re a TRS user traveling out of state and wantto make a call, there is no longer a need to learn the state’s TRS provider’s telephone number
Just dial 711!
It’s fast, functional and free.The 711 code is not just for use by persons with disabilities. Both voice and TRS users can initiatea call from any telephone, anywhere in the United States, without having to remember and dial aseven or ten-digit access number.
For persons who have been using TRS for years, the convenienceof dialing three digits is obvious.
711 dialing access does not work for Video Relay Service (VRS), Internet Protocol (IP) relay or IPCTSRelay calls, because such calls are initiated through the Internet.
Hearing persons initiating a VRS or IP Relaycall may do so by calling a provider’s 800 number.
IPCTS users just call their party directly, and aCommunications Assistant (CA) is automatically connected to the call.
TTY Access Phone Numbers
AT&T National Relay Service*All Users: 711
TTY Alabama User: 1-800-548-2546
Voice Users: 1-800-855-2881
PC (ASCII) Users: 1-800-855-2882
Telebraille: 1 800-855-2883
AT&T Spanish Relay Service**
TTY Spanish: 1-800-676-4290
PC Spanish: 1-800-855-2886
How To Schedule Your Reservation
Trip requests are accepted up to two weeks in advance. A trip request for next day pick up must be made by 5 pm the day before scheduled arrival time by calling (205) 521-0180.
Reservations are made on a first call, first schedule basis. When making a reservation, allow extra time for travel from pick up location to your destination. It is important to remember that Paratransit is a shared-ride service and other passengers may be picked up during your trip to your scheduled destination.
When reserving your pick up time, please be prepared to provide the following information:
1. Your first and last name
2. Home telephone number
3. Date of travel
4. Requested appointment time (you will be provided with a scheduled pick-up time)
5. The pick-up address
6. The destination address
7. Please specify if you will be accompanied by a Personal Care Attendant (PCA). One PCA can ride free, but you must inform the reservationist when making your trip request. If you are riding with a friend or companion that is not ADA certified, that person will be required to pay full fare and can only ride if space is available.
Ask the reservation operator to repeat your trip information, such as, your scheduled pickup time, home address, the address of your destination, any description comments such as where you will be waiting to ensure the accuracy of scheduled information.
Scheduled Pick Up / Ready Time Window Policy
Passengers scheduled for transport are advised that the Paratransit Operator will arrive at your pick up location up to 20 minutes prior to scheduled pick up time, and no later than 20 minutes after your scheduled pick up time. This is defined as the “ready time window”. For example; if your scheduled pick up is 9:00am, the vehicle will arrive anytime between 8:40am and 9:20am. Your scheduled pick up time is established between you and the reservation operator when you make the reservation for a trip. Passengers are encouraged to be prepared to board vehicle immediately upon arrival. Operators are instructed to wait no longer than five (5) minutes at pick up locations, and will proceed to next destination once time has expired. If a passenger is not ready within this time limit, the scheduled trip will be counted as a “no show”. On the day of your scheduled service, you can wait inside as long as you can see the vehicle arriving. If you cannot, you must wait outside where you can see the vehicle. Paratransit Operators will wait for a passenger at the curb of a public street, in front of, or as close as possible to the passenger’s residence, building or other designated pick-up location. Door to Door Service is available upon request, when scheduling please inform the reservationists at the time if you need Door to Door Service. Companion or Personal Care Attendant (PCA) also can accompany you to provide personal assistance.
Types of Paratransit Services
Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority provides two (2) types of Paratransit/VIP services that are scheduled depending upon your travel plans.
You can select either Demand Service or Subscription Service:
Demand Service: is provided when a customer contacts the Paratransit/VIP scheduling department and makes a reservation for service for a later time and/or date. Subscription Service: is a standing reservation for customers who normally make the same trip several times a week, or who are on a regular travel schedule.
Subscription Service is limited to riders traveling to the same destination at the same time, at least three (3) times a week for a minimum of ninety (90) days; however, BJCTA is currently not accepting new subscriptions.
BJCTA reserves the right to restrict Subscription Service to maintain a maximum level of fifty percent (50%), as required by the ADA, when there is no excess demand capacity available. BJCTA will terminate any Subscription Service that is cancelled fifty percent (50%), or more, of the time during any thirty (30) day period, or if there is a consistent pattern of cancellations of any part of a subscription.
How to Renew Your MAX PARATRANSIT Card
The following ID cards can be renewed upon reaching expiration date at no charge:
Senior
Paratransit
Access Pass
(Lost or stolen ID replacement charge is $5.00)
Renewal and replacement IDs can be obtained at:
1801 Morris Avenue Birmingham, Alabama 35203-0212
To schedule appointments for IDs please call 205-521-0101.
Days: Monday – Friday Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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No eating, drinking or smoking aboard the bus.
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No riding under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
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No abusive, threatening or obscene language or actions.
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No discharge of bodily fluids or open wounds.
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No deliberate fare evasion.
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No physical abuse of another passenger or the operator.
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No operating or tampering with any equipment while onboard a Paratransit vehicle.
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No radios, cassette tape players, compact disc players, or other sound- generating equipment are to be played onboard the vehicles.
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For safety reasons, please limit unnecessary conversation with operator when the vehicle is in motion.
Passengers who violate the Rules of Conduct are subject to penalties up to and including suspension and/ or termination of service.
Note: Passengers who engage in physical abuse or cause physical injury to another passenger or operator may be subject to immediate and permanent suspension from services, and possible criminal prosecution.