Nassau County Nice Bus Able Ride bus stop

- 450 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, NY 11042

For New York residents with disabilities or those unable to navigate the fixed-route bus network, reliable and Accessible Transportation is not a luxury, but a necessity. The Nassau County Nice Bus Able Ride bus stop, while referencing a specific location, is part of a much broader, critical municipal program known as NICE Bus Able-Ride. This service is the official, shared-ride, door-to-door paratransit system for eligible individuals in Nassau County, Long Island.

Able-Ride is designed to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that everyone in the community has comparable access to public transit. It is a vital Handicapped transportation service that provides mobility for any purpose—be it educational, business, recreational, or personal. Unlike a standard commercial "car rental" that focuses on independent travelers, Able-Ride is a dedicated public service centered on the user's need for assistance and accessibility.

The program’s core mission is to bridge the transportation gap for individuals whose disability prevents them from accessing, boarding, or riding the regular NICE fixed-route bus service. This is a life-changing service that promotes independence and connectivity across the Nassau Inter-County Express service area, helping to sustain the quality of life for thousands of Long Island residents.

To use this essential service, eligibility must first be determined through an application process that includes documentation from a licensed health care professional. Once certified, riders receive an ID card that grants access to this affordable and necessary transit option.

The reference point, 450 Lakeville Rd in New Hyde Park, NY, is not a typical bus terminal but represents a key strategic location for the entire Able-Ride network. This specific address, which is associated with Northwell Health, is a designated transfer point for travel between Nassau County and New York City’s five boroughs.

The exact address provided is:

450 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA

This location is one of the official, designated sites where an Able-Ride customer can seamlessly transfer to the MTA’s Access-A-Ride paratransit system, facilitating cross-county travel into Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. By having established, reliable transfer locations, the NICE Bus Able-Ride program ensures that Nassau County residents can maintain access to major New York City medical facilities, cultural centers, and family throughout the entire metro region.

The nature of the Able-Ride service is "door-to-door," meaning accessibility is integrated into the operation itself. Vehicles are designed to be fully ADA compliant, equipped with features that accommodate riders using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. While drivers are authorized to assist riders on and off the bus, they do not enter buildings, adhering to a safe, standardized protocol for pickup and drop-off right at the outermost exterior door.

NICE Bus Able-Ride provides a foundational transportation service specifically tailored for its eligible user base:

• Door-to-Door Service: Shared-ride transportation that picks up and drops off eligible customers directly at their origin and destination.
• ADA Paratransit: Full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring transportation equity for individuals with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route bus system.
• Broad Trip Purpose: Trips are provided for any reason, including essential medical appointments, employment, school, personal errands, or recreational activities, promoting full community participation.
• Inter-County Transfers: Seamless connection points for transfer to other regional paratransit systems, including the MTA's Access-A-Ride for New York City travel and Suffolk County’s SCAT system for eastern Long Island destinations. The New Hyde Park location serves as a primary transfer hub for westbound travel into NYC.
• Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Transport: Certified Personal Care Attendants are permitted to travel with the eligible rider at no additional charge.
• Service Animal Accommodation: All certified service animals are permitted on board the Able-Ride vehicles.
• Advance Booking: The service operates on a reservation basis, allowing customers to arrange their trips up to seven days in advance for reliable scheduling.

Able-Ride distinguishes itself through its specific design as an essential public resource for the mobility-impaired community:

• Defined Service Area: The service is available for trips that begin and end within three-quarters of a mile of an operating NICE fixed-route bus service within Nassau County, with select extended areas into Queens and Suffolk County.
• Operational Alignment: Able-Ride’s service hours are comparable to the NICE fixed-route bus service, including weekends and holidays, ensuring that transportation is available whenever the main transit system is running.
• Affordable, Flat-Fee Structure: The service maintains an accessible fare structure with a low one-way cash fare and the option to purchase discounted ticket books for 20 trips, making it a sustainable option for frequent riders.
• High Reliability: As a structured, reservation-based service, it adheres to a scheduled 30-minute pick-up window, offering predictable and dependable travel essential for appointments and work.
• Certified Eligibility for Safety: The required application and certification process, involving a licensed health care professional, ensures that the service is properly allocated to those who genuinely need the specialized paratransit assistance.
• Multiple Booking Options: Riders can arrange trips by phone through reservationists, with a dedicated TTY/711 relay option for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Public Oversight: The program is overseen by the Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) and is governed by the principles of the ADA, providing a layer of public accountability and commitment to accessibility issues.

To apply for eligibility, book a trip, or inquire about the service area and operational details for NICE Bus Able-Ride, New York residents should use the following official contact information:

• Main Service: Nassau County Nice Bus Able Ride bus stop (Paratransit Service)
• Service Address (Transfer Point Reference): 450 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA
• Reservation & Information Phone: (516) 228-4000
• Mobile Phone (General Contact): +1 516-228-4000
• Type of Service: Handicapped transportation service (ADA Paratransit)
• Booking Hours: Reservations can typically be made by phone weekdays, Saturday, and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For eligible individuals in Nassau County, choosing NICE Bus Able-Ride is the fundamental choice for essential mobility and community integration. It is not just transportation; it is an entitlement under the ADA designed to ensure equal opportunity for individuals who cannot use traditional transit due to a disability. The shared-ride, door-to-door nature of the service provides an unmatched level of personal assistance and convenience that surpasses standard public buses or even private car services.

The program's reliability, affordability, and extensive coverage area within Nassau County—plus the critical connections to Access-A-Ride in Queens and the Bronx via transfer points like the one in New Hyde Park—make it indispensable. For seniors, veterans, and all residents with qualifying disabilities, Able-Ride provides a dignified, consistent, and cost-effective means to access healthcare, employment, and social life across the Long Island and New York City region. The structured booking and identification process ensures a secure and dependable service, firmly establishing Able-Ride as the most reliable Handicapped transportation service in Nassau County.

Nassau County Nice Bus Able Ride bus stop

450 Lakeville Rd, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA