Specialized Services
VanGO offers a number of specialized transportation services for persons unable to access or utilize the fixed-route public bus system.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transportation
VanGO's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transportation Service provides general purpose transportation to disabled persons who are prevented from using VanGO's fixed route public transportation system due to their disability. The 1990 Federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires transit systems to provide comparable paratransit service to disabled persons up to 3/4 of a mile around existing fixed public routes (ADA area). Departure locations and or destinations outside ADA areas may be considered for Demand Response service.
Eligibility for ADA service is determined through an application process. Applications for service can be obtained online (click here) and then mailed or delivered to the Charles County Department of Community Services. If you wish to have an application mailed to you, you must request by e-mail through this site, or you may call the Department of Community Services, Transportation Division at 301-934-9305 or 301-870-3388.
All applications received are reviewed each Thursday morning by our Specialized Service Review Committee.
Applicants will receive a written notification of eligibility within two weeks of submitting a completed application. VanGO reserves the right to extend the review time limit in unusual cases.
Indivduals found to be ineligible for service may appeal the decision as described in their notification letter.
ADA transportation is a shared ride program. VanGo will make every effort to get passengers to their destinations in a reasonable amount of travel time but reserves the right to schedule multiple customers for multiple pickups to multiple destinations.
Days, Hours, and Fares
ADA services operates Monday through Saturday from 8:00am-9:00pm, or depending upon service area. Service areas are 3/4 of a mile around VanGO fixed routes. The service costs $1 each way or an All Day Pass may be purchased for only $2. Personal Care Attendants, when certified in advance by VanGO ride for free. Additionally, one other person may accompany the customer and is charged the same fare as the passenger. All persons must have the same origin and destination as the customer.
Be-ready times for ADA service are provided within a 1 hour window, which is established when the customer calls to make their trip reservation.
Passenger Assistance
VanGO ADA service is a door-to-door service that provides passenger assistance from the customer's door to the vehicle and vice versa. This includes assistance boarding and disembarking vehicles. VanGO drivers may also provide assistance with packages upon request when those packages weigh less than 5 pounds total and can be carried in one trip by the driver.
Safety
All passengers must wear safety belts when aboard VanGO vans and all children under 4 years of age or weighing less than 40 pounds must use a child safety seat, which must be provided by the passenger.
Other Resources
More information about the Americans with Disabilities Act can be found by clicking this link provided. There are many local agencies that provide services to persons with disabilities. Some of these include Spring Dell, Melwood, and Freedom Landing.
Transit Operator's Pocket Guide
You can also visit the Project Action website by clicking the link. Once you have used the link, please follow their site to view the Transit Operators Pocket Guide.