Who Can Ride?

ADA-Eligible Passengers
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public transportation services (such as WTA’s Fixed Route bus service) be accessible to people with disabilities. All WTA buses are accessible and ADA compliant. The ADA recognizes that even ADA compliant transportation services will not be accessible by all passengers. Therefore, if you meet one or more of the following conditions because of a disability, you are eligible for some or all trips** on Specialized Transportation:

1. You are unable to board, ride, or de-board a transit bus.
2. You are unable to travel to or from a bus stop, or to find your way around the transit system by yourself because of a physical or cognitive disability.

** Depending on your particular situation, you may be able to use our Fixed Route buses for many of your trips. If your disability prevents you from making a trip on our Fixed Route bus (for example, trips that require you to access the bus at a stop with no curb cuts, or trips that require you to walk farther to a stop than you are able), you would be eligible for Specialized Transportation. If you are not able to make any of your trips on our Fixed Route system, you would be eligible for all of your trips on Specialized Transportation.

How Do I Qualify?
To request an application to be sent to your home, contact us at (360) 733-1144 (Voice or TTY). Fill out the application completely and return it by mail to WTA. A friend, relative or caregiver may help you. If you have questions about how to fill out the application, call 733-1144.

WTA staff may need to contact your physician, social worker, or other Social and Health professional to confirm your information. Please sign the Professional Verification Release Form at the end of the application before mailing it back to us.

We will determine your eligibility to ride Specialized Transportation within 21 days of receiving your application. You will receive a letter notifying you of our decision. This letter will also state a date when your eligibility will need to be recertified. WTA reserves the right to reevaluate eligibility decisions prior to that date.

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may appeal within 60 days of receiving your notification letter.

Riders are responsible for informing WTA if their condition changes, or if they no longer need Specialized Transportation services.