Access Services

- 3449 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte, CA 91731

For residents and visitors with disabilities across the greater Los Angeles County area, reliable and accessible transportation is not just a convenience—it's a necessity. While the term “car rental” often brings to mind a self-drive vehicle for leisure or business travel, the entity known as Access Services serves a distinct and vital function within the California community. Access Services is primarily recognized as the Los Angeles County Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) and administers the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan, operating under the name Access Paratransit. This service provides federally mandated complementary ADA paratransit to eligible individuals with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route public transit system.

This service acts as a crucial alternative transportation solution, distinct from a standard car rental agency. Instead of renting a vehicle, users are utilizing a shared-ride transportation system designed specifically to meet the mobility needs of people with disabilities, a civil right mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Location and Accessibility

The corporate office for Access Services is centrally located in El Monte, California, positioning it strategically to manage the widespread operations across the vast Los Angeles County region. This centralized hub helps coordinate the complex logistics required to provide specialized transportation across dozens of individual municipal and county public fixed-route operators.

The primary administrative address is:

3449 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte, CA 91731, USA

In line with its dedication to accessibility, the corporate office itself is equipped with key features to accommodate users with mobility challenges:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

For those in Southern California navigating the complex public transportation landscape, knowing the core location of the administrative services provides a clear point of contact for applications, certification, and general inquiries regarding their eligibility and the services provided throughout the county.

Services Offered

Access Services is classified as a handicapped transportation service, corporate office, and general transportation service. The core mission revolves around providing accessible shared-ride options for ADA-eligible customers. Their specialized offerings include:

• Paratransit Services: The core door-to-door, shared-ride transportation provided for eligible individuals with disabilities.
• Medical Transportation Service: Specialized transport to and from necessary medical appointments.
• Bus Services: While primarily a paratransit provider, their operations complement the existing fixed-route public bus services.
• Door Service: Providing assistance from the curb at the point of origin and to the curb at the destination.
• Emergency Transportation: Providing transport in certain emergency situations or during disruptions to fixed-route services.
• Private Accessible Transportation: Options for accessible transport that may fall outside the standard paratransit model.
• Transit Services: Coordination and administration of broader transportation programs.
• Travel Training: Programs designed to help individuals learn how to use accessible fixed-route transit options, promoting independence.
• Certificate Program: The official process required to determine and certify an individual's eligibility for ADA paratransit services.
• Emergency Response: Coordination with emergency services as needed during transport.

It is important for California residents to note that the service is door-to-door, meaning drivers are expected to assist passengers from the curb at their pick-up location and to the curb at their destination, accommodating mobility devices like wheelchairs.

Features / Highlights

As the consolidated transportation service agency for Los Angeles County, Access Services plays a critical role in civil rights compliance under the ADA. Key features of their operations include:

• Federally Mandated Service: Access Services provides a critical, legally required service for the disabled community in Los Angeles County, ensuring they have a mode of transit when fixed-route services are inaccessible.
• Extensive Coverage Area: Their network operates within three-quarters of a mile of all fixed public transit routes (bus and rail) within the county, significantly expanding mobility options for riders.
• Shared-Ride Model: The service is a shared-ride system, making transportation economically viable for the public sector by optimizing routes for multiple users traveling in the same general direction.
• Accessibility Focus: All vehicles and operational protocols are designed with the needs of the disabled community as the priority, facilitating safe and comfortable transport for wheelchair users and others with mobility limitations.
• Centralized Coordination: By administering the Coordinated Paratransit Plan, the organization centralizes eligibility and scheduling for a very large, diverse, and heavily populated service region.

While the service is essential and legally required, it is important for prospective and current riders to understand the nature of a shared-ride service. Travel times are designed to be comparable to a fixed-route bus trip, and multiple stops may be made during a journey to pick up or drop off other certified riders.

Contact Information

For administrative needs, general information, or for the required certification process to use the paratransit service, the following contact details are available:

Address: 3449 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte, CA 91731, USA

Phone: (213) 270-6000

Mobile Phone: +1 213-270-6000

It is recommended that individuals seeking to use the paratransit service contact the main phone number to begin the eligibility and certification process. This step is mandatory before a rider can book a trip, ensuring compliance with federal ADA requirements.

What is Worth Choosing

For California residents with disabilities, especially those in Los Angeles County, Access Services is worth choosing because it represents a necessary and established public resource for independent living. Choosing this service means opting into a network specifically created to meet ADA standards, designed for the maximum comfort and safety of riders who cannot use traditional public transit.

The true value lies in the guarantee of accessible transportation to nearly any location within the fixed-route service area, a critical provision for work, medical appointments, and personal errands. Furthermore, while anecdotal feedback from some customers highlights challenges related to scheduling, on-time performance, and customer service—issues common in high-volume, shared-ride public services—the fundamental, legally-backed mandate of Access Services provides a non-negotiable lifeline for eligible community members. It stands as a vital public transportation option that no commercial car rental service or standard ride-share app is legally or logistically equipped to fully replace for this specific demographic. The alternative—being without reliable, accessible transit—makes Access Services an indispensable choice for those who qualify.

The dedication to providing comprehensive services such as Medical Transportation and Travel Training demonstrates an overarching commitment to not just moving people, but supporting their independence and connectivity within their communities, making it an essential pillar of the Los Angeles County public transit ecosystem.

Access Services

3449 Santa Anita Ave, El Monte, CA 91731, USA