Rtc Ada Paratransit

- 5165 W Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates a vital service known as RTC ADA Paratransit, a critical component of public transportation in the greater Las Vegas area. This service is not a standard car rental agency; instead, it is a specialized, door-to-door transportation program mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its fundamental purpose is to provide comparable transit access to individuals whose disability prevents them from independently using the RTC’s fixed-route bus system for some or all of their trips.

The service is designed as a shared-ride system, catering to eligible members of the community in Clark County, Nevada. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, mirroring the operational times of the fixed-route system. Eligibility is strictly determined through an assessment process focused on functional ability to use fixed-route services, not solely on the presence of a disability. This program is an essential mobility lifeline for many residents, enabling them to attend medical appointments, commute, and manage daily life with greater independence.

Location and Accessibility

The administrative and operational hub is centrally located in Las Vegas, making it accessible for inquiries and administrative purposes, though the service itself operates throughout the urbanized area of Clark County.

The primary administrative address for this transportation service is:

5165 W Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118, USA

As an accessible transportation provider, the operational standards mandate high levels of accessibility.

• The vehicles utilized are a dedicated fleet of ADA-accessible buses and vans, all equipped with the necessary ramps or lifts to accommodate mobility aids such as wheelchairs and scooters.
• Administrative facilities, including the main office, are confirmed to offer a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, supporting accessibility for in-person administrative needs.
• The geographical coverage extends within three-quarters of a mile beyond the current RTC fixed-route service area, as required by ADA regulations, ensuring a comprehensive service area across the region.

Services Offered

RTC ADA Paratransit offers a range of services designed to meet the unique transportation needs of its eligible riders. These are generally reservation-based and complement the fixed-route system.

• Shared-Ride, Door-to-Door Service: Transportation is provided from the origin to the destination, often accommodating other riders along the way to maximize efficiency within the shared-ride model.
• Eligibility Certification: A formal application and assessment process (which may include an in-person functional assessment) to determine an individual's inability to independently use the fixed-route system.
• Trip Scheduling: Riders must book trips in advance, typically up to three days prior to travel, through the dedicated customer care line.
• Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Accommodation: Eligible riders approved for a Personal Care Attendant can have their PCA ride free of charge, recognizing the necessity of their assistance.
• Visitor Eligibility: The service accommodates visitors with ADA Paratransit eligibility from other jurisdictions for a limited period (up to 21 days within a 365-day period).
• Medicaid Trip Coordination: While the RTC does not authorize Medicaid trips, the service works with third-party brokers like Medical Transportation Management (MTM) for authorized Medicaid trips.

Features / Highlights

The program is structured around core legal and functional requirements to provide a necessary public service in the Las Vegas region.

• Mandated ADA Compliance: The service is legally required to operate under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring service availability and accessibility standards are met within the service area and hours of the fixed-route system.
• Extensive Operational Hours: Service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, providing transportation options that match the fixed-route schedule.
• Wheelchair and Scooter Accommodation: The entire fleet is equipped with lifts or ramps, guaranteeing the ability to transport passengers using mobility devices.
• Fare Structure: Fares are regulated, set at a rate that cannot exceed twice the fixed-route fare for a comparable one-way trip. Multi-ride passes and coupon books are available for purchase.
• Free Fixed-Route Access: Paratransit ID cardholders are entitled to ride the standard RTC fixed-route buses and express routes free of charge, encouraging use of the full public transit system when possible.

Contact Information

For service inquiries, scheduling, cancellations, and customer care, residents of Southern Nevada should use the following contact details. Note that the primary operational and customer care lines are distinct from the corporate address.

Address: 5165 W Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118, USA

Phone: (702) 228-4800 (Paratransit Customer Service)

TDD/TTY: (702) 676-1834 (For hearing impaired)

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing RTC ADA Paratransit is a necessity for those in the Nevada region who meet the functional eligibility criteria and cannot use the conventional bus system. As a public service, it represents a foundational commitment to mobility and civil rights for the disability community.

The service offers the critical guarantee of ADA-compliant, accessible transportation, ensuring that individuals who cannot navigate stops, transfer points, or board fixed-route vehicles due to their disability still have a means of transit. The provision of door-to-door service and free transport for a Personal Care Attendant are invaluable features that support independent living.

However, users and prospective applicants should be aware of the widely publicized operational challenges that have been documented over time. Public feedback, including numerous customer reviews, highlights issues such as unreliability, significant delays, missed appointments (particularly medical ones), and difficulty reaching customer service (e.g., being placed on long holds or transferred repeatedly).

While the service is legally mandated and provides essential accessible vehicles and a 24/7 operating schedule, prospective riders must factor in these known service consistency issues when planning essential trips. It is advisable for riders to understand the "No Show" policy, the trip negotiation rules (where the RTC can negotiate the pick-up time within an hour of the requested time), and to schedule travel well in advance, especially for crucial appointments. The choice of RTC Paratransit is often one of necessity based on eligibility, and users are encouraged to maintain clear communication with the service and explore all available resources outlined in the RTC’s rider guide to best navigate the system's requirements and challenges.

The RTC itself provides a variety of resources, including the rideRTC app for planning and updates, and maintains a formal process for handling reasonable modification requests, emphasizing its commitment to continuous effort in serving the community's needs, even as it works to overcome operational hurdles.

Rtc Ada Paratransit

5165 W Sunset Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118, USA