Access219 Paratransit is our Commitment to Northwest IndianaQuality service with safe, clean, reliable, efficient and courteous transportation services has been GPTC’s goal for you since 1992. Our Paratransit Service keeps all residents active in our community. |
Access219 Paratransit Service is a complementary “ride-share” service for residents who are unable to use our fixed route buses due to a disability. Our paratransit vehicles are accessible to individuals with disabilities and are equipped with wheelchair lifts/ramps.
Access219 Paratransit service is provided during the same days and hours as fixed route service. Monday - Friday 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The service area includes all of Gary and ¾ of a mile within our fixed route service in the following cities and towns: Calumet Township, Crown Point, East Chicago, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, Hobart, Merrillville and Munster.
Questions about our ADA Paratransit Service? Call (219) 884-6100 ext 106
Low-cost fares
Simple reservations
Reliable service
Convenient door-to-door transportation
PARATRANSIT FARES
- One-way trips: $2.50 within the City of Gary boundary.
- Outside Gary city limits: $4.00 .
- ADA Paratransit Multiple Ride Passes: 20 Local Rides $50.00 .
- ADA Paratransit Multiple Ride Passes: 12 Non Local Rides $48.00 .
Established fares must be paid at the time a rider boards a vehicle. If a fare is not paid, including the use of a riding pass, the driver can refuse to provide a ride and a no-show will be assessed.
Passes may be purchased at:GPTC Metro Center
100 West 4th Ave.(3rd Floor)
Gary, IN, 46402
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Or by mail: Send a money order payable to: Gary Public Transportation Corporation to GPTC Metro Center 100 West 4th Ave. Gary, IN 46402 No personal checks or cash are accepted. Include your return address and a $3.00 additional convenience fee that covers the cost of postage and fees. Please allow ten days for delivery.
Personal Care Attendants (PCA) are not required to pay a fare. A PCA must board and alight at the same location and time as the eligible rider and will not be allowed to board or travel without the eligible rider.
Companions are required to pay the same fare paid by the ADA eligible rider and will be provided service if there is space available for them on the Paratransit vehicle transporting the ADA eligible individual. A companion must board and exit at the same location and time as the eligible rider and will not be allowed to board or travel without the eligible rider.
Paratransit Eligibility
We would like to first clarify that all of our fixed route buses are ADA compliant with ramps, lifts and “kneeling” functions. They also have audible and visual announcements for stops.
Complementary Paratransit eligibility is determined under one of the three following categories:
Category I: Inability to independently navigate the fixed route system
This category includes people who are unable, due to a mental or physical impairment (including a vision impairment), to board, ride, or disembark from an accessible bus or train without assistance
Category II: Transit system’s lack of accessible vehicles, stations or bus stops on the fixed route system
This category includes wheelchair users and other people with disabilities who can use an accessible vehicle but who want to travel on a route that is not served by accessible buses.
Category III: Inability to reach a boarding point, or final destination on the fixed route system
Any individual 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 the fixed route system.
How Do I Apply to Become a Paratransit Rider?
Call GPTC’s ADA Coordinator at (219) 884-6100 extension 113 or extension 106 to request a Paratransit application, or click the button below to download an application.
Please complete Part I of the application and then ask the licensed or certified professional most familiar with limitations imposed by your disability to complete Part II.
You can either apply in person or send your completed application to the address below:
ADA Coordinator
Gary Public Transportation Corp.
2101 West 35th Avenue
Gary, IN 46408
When Will I Know If I Can Use the Service?
You will be notified in writing within 21 days of the date your completed application is received if it is approved or disapproved. After your application is approved, please visit GPTC’s Transportation Office at 2101 W. 35th Avenue, Gary, Indiana on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to obtain an Access219 Paratransit Photo ID Card.
Certified Access219 Paratransit riders who are able to use GPTC’s fixed route bus service may present their ADA photo ID card to drivers on GPTC’s local and express routes and ride for the reduced fare afforded to seniors, Medicare, temporarily, conditional or permanently disabled riders.
Rider Responsibilities
- Rider should be ready for pickup throughout the pickup window of the scheduled trip.
- Pay exact fare at time of boarding the vehicle.
- Treat drivers, other riders, and GPTC staff with courtesy and respect.
- Keep personal assistance devices in good condition and be able to operate without driver intervention.
- Make sure ramps, sidewalks and walkways are properly maintained and clear of snow and ice.
- Wear vehicle seatbelts/restraints during transport.
- Keep service animals under control at all times.
- Cancel reservations at least one hour before scheduled pickup time.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in a GPTC vehicle.
- Do not engage in disruptive or abusive behavior.
- Provide up-to-date information to the GPTC ADA Coordinator such as: home address, phone number, types of mobility aids at time of trip (s) reservation.
Helpful Tips
- Familiarize yourself with Access219 Paratransit Service with our Rider’s Guide:
- When scheduling a trip, try to arrange the pick-up and return trip at the same time.
- When cancelling trips, riders must contact the trip schedule at least one (1) hour in advance of their scheduled pick-up time to avoid being charged a “No Show.”
- Riders should be ready to for pick-up throughout the 30 minute window (15 minutes before and 15 minutes after) of their scheduled pick-up time.
- Riders should advise the trip scheduler when they will be traveling with a PCA or Companion at the time of trip request.
- A PCA is not charged a fare when traveling with an eligible rider but a Companion is charged the same fare as an eligible rider.
- Potential trip delays beyond the control of GPTC and the driver may occur, such as: traffic, weather, late appointments of other shared riders.
- Riders should have exact fare or a riding pass at the time of boarding the vehicle.
- Driver assistance: drivers are not allowed or required to offer assistance beyond the first door of the pick-up or drop off location.