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Point Plus - Paratransit Policies
Eligibility:
Individuals must apply and be determined eligible in order to receive transportation services. An individual must
be disabled as defined by ADA guidelines.
Eligibility Standards: An individual must have a disability that inhibits his/her ability
to use the Stevens Point Transit fixed route transportation system in one or more of the following areas:
- Getting on or off the fixed route bus service.
- Waiting or standing for extended periods of time.
- Reading/comprehending information signs, brochures, schedules or maps.
- Hearing/comprehending verbal information provided by fixed route personnel.
An example
of eligibility would include: A person with
a mental disability who cannot navigate the system. Navigating the system might involve obtaining and understanding
system information, recognizing and boarding the correct vehicle, having available the correct fare and/or using
the fare collection system, recognizing destinations and understanding transfers that might have to be made.
Note:
Conditions such as distance, terrain, and weather do not, when considered alone, confer eligibility.
Certification: Eligibility for Point Plus is determined by Stevens Point Transit.
Eligible participants are certified for services for a maximum period of five (5) years. The eligibility period
will depend on the participant's specific disability and duration (if temporary.) Eligibility for Point Plus may
be on a "conditional" basis, meaning service will only be provided for those trips in which ADA paratransit
eligibility standards have been met. Riders will be required to use the fixed route bus services or find alternative
transportation for trips that are not deemed as ADA paratransit eligible.
Visitors: Paratransit
service must be provided to visiting ADA eligible individuals. If these individuals have been certified as "ADA
Paratransit eligible" by another public entity, that certification must be honored for up to 21 days. If service
is needed beyond this period, you will required to fill out a Point Plus application form.
Re-certification: Re-certification will be required of each paratransit participant
prior to the expiration of the current eligibility period. New applicants and re-certifying riders must complete
an application to identify their potential, rather than limitations, in their ability to use the fixed route buses.
Stevens Point Transit will notify participants of the re-certification requirement at least 60 days prior to the
expiration of their eligibility period.
Type of Service: Point Plus is a door to door service. Assistance will be provided
to and from the front door of the building at your origin or destination. Paratransit does not provide assistance
beyond that necessary to board, disembark, or stow personal belongings. The Operator must maintain physical sight
of the vehicle at all times. Operators are not permitted to enter beyond the threshold of any building. If you
are in need of further assistance, you must make arrangements to have a Personal Care Attendant or companion assist
you.
Door to Door Assistance DOES NOT include any of the following:
- Assisting passengers on unsafe or steeply inclined mobility ramps or stairs.
- Locking/unlocking doors or activating/deactivating house alarms.
- Lifting or assisting another person in lifting, a passenger in/out of a wheelchair or other item of furniture.
Service Area:
Service is provided within the City of Stevens Point, the communities of Whiting, Park Ridge, and in all areas
within ¾ of a mile from our fixed route system. The origin and destination must be within the Stevens Point
Transit service area.
Service Hours:
Point Plus will provide service to all eligible passengers during the following hours:
While UWSP is in session, Point Plus is available
Monday - Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. When UWSP is not in
session, Point Plus service hours are Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Service is not provided on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day, Christmas Day
Scheduling:
Reservations will be accepted as far in advance as one month, but no later than 3:30 p.m. one day before the scheduled
ride.
Subscription Service is available for recurring trips (work, school, therapy, etc.) It is the practice of providing
repetitive trips over an extended period of time without the passenger calling to request each trip. Reservations
can be made in advance for periods of 2-12 months.
Your trip will be confirmed at the time you make your reservation. Please confirm dates, times and addresses before
ending the call.
Pick-up Time:
Passengers should expect the bus within 30 minutes after the negotiated "ready time" and must board the
bus upon arrival. "Ready time" is defined as 10 minutes before and 20 minutes after the scheduled pick-up
time. A delay by the passenger in boarding more than five minutes after the "ready time" will result
in a service denial. If the vehicle has not arrived at the end of your "ready time" window, please call
the office.
High demand periods are Monday through Friday between 7-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. By avoiding these peak hours you will
be more likely to get your requested reservation time.
The passenger must provide a companion or personal care attendant if assistance is needed beyond the door of the
location. If no attendant is available and the Transit Operator deems it unsafe to leave the rider, the rider will
be returned to their pick up location.
Ramps: Ramps
must be installed where there is more than one (1) step at the entrance of the residence. Ramps must be cleared
of snow and ice prior to the arrival of the Point Plus van. At no time will the operator shovel, sweep or salt
the ramp.
Packages:
Riders are limited to three (3) grocery bags or similar sized packages on board the Point Plus vehicle. Operators
will assist in carrying the packages to the door of the drop off location. Packages should weigh no more than 20
pounds each.
Personal Care Attendant/Guests: A Personal Care Attendant may accompany a registered passenger
at no additional charge. A PCA is defined as a person traveling as an aide who is designated and/or employed by
a person with disabilities to help that person meet his or her needs and/or facilitate travel. Your file must indicate
that you are eligible to have a PCA to travel with you. You must reserve space for your PCA when scheduling a trip.
Guests are welcome and will be charged the same fare you are charged. Due to limited space, each passenger is allowed
one (1) guest per trip. You must reserve space for your guest (including children) when scheduling your trip. Seating
for more than one (1) guest is on a "space available" basis when scheduling your trip. Any passengers
under the age of four (4) or weighing less than 40 pounds must be properly fastened in a child safety seat. Point
Plus does not provide child safety seats.
"No-Shows", Cancellations, and
Lateness: A "no-show" occurs when
a passenger fails to board the paratransit vehicle five (5) minutes after it arrives within the ready time window.
Passengers must cancel unwanted trips as early as possible. Stevens Point Transit staff will be available to receive
cancellations as early as 5:45 a.m. All cancellations need to be made at least two (2) hours in advance for A.M.
scheduled pick up times and by 9:00 a.m. for P.M. scheduled pick up times.
A documented pattern of "no-shows", untimely cancellation notices or lateness will result in service
denial on a long-term basis. Three (3) "no-shows" or three (3) cancellations or a combination of both
within a three (3) month period will result in a suspension of service.
- First Suspension: 30 Days
- Second Suspension: 60 Days
- Third Suspension: 90 Days
If you are a "no-show" for your trip to a destination, and you had scheduled a return trip from that destination, we will not automatically cancel your return trip for you. You will receive a "no-show" for the return trips you fail to cancel.
Fares: Fares may be paid in cash, with a wheelchair van E-Z pass or a charge account can be established through the transit office. Operators do not carry change and are not allowed to search purses, pockets, or backpacks for a customer's fare.
Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Devices: All mobility devices must be secured to the Point Plus vehicle.
Mobility devices cannot exceed 48" in length, 30" in width and 600 lbs. in total weight. Mobility devices
that are larger than these standards may be denied service aboard Point Plus vehicles. The passenger is responsible
for providing their own wheelchair or any other mobility device.
Rules of Conduct: Riders are asked to follow these rules of conduct to ensure the safety
and comfort of all riders and the operator.
- No talking to the driver when the vehicle is moving.
- No eating, drinking, or smoking on board.
- No riding under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- No abusive, threatening, or obscene language or actions.
- No physical abuse of another rider, or the operator.
- No operating or tampering with any equipment while on board the Point Plus vehicle.
- No radios, cassette tape players, compact disc players, or other sound generating equipment to be played aboard the vehicles unless with the use of headphones.
Riders who violate rules of conduct are subject
to penalties, up to and including suspension of service. Please note that riders who engage in physical abuse or
cause physical injury to another rider or operator may be subject to immediate and permanent suspension, and possible
criminal prosecution.
Appeals:
Applicants and certified users shall have access to an appeals process to contest a denial of eligibility, their
eligibility category determination, a trip denial, or a suspension from service. All appeals must be filed within
sixty-five (65) calendar days from the date of the eligibility or service denial notification letter. Final decisions
on all appeals will be made by the ADA Advisory Committee. A passenger who disputes the basis for a suspension
or termination of service may request an appeal hearing by writing:
Stevens Point Transit
1515 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481.
Applications for Point Plus Paratransit Service are available from the Transit Office, or you can:
View and/or Print the Point Plus Application
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