Metro Access

due to their disability.

Metro Access provides a shared-ride call-in service on one-day notice. The standard fee is US$2.50 per trip if the termination point is within 3/4 of a mile of a regular bus stop. Beyond 3/4 of a mile, there is an additional charge, and service is only available for a short distance beyond the normal bus service area. The standard fee is based upon the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act which permits a transit provider to charge up to twice the regular bus fare for paratransit service. Service may be paid with two $1.25 bus tokens, with cash, or with a $2.50 Metrorail fare card. The service is generally available during the times of day that bus or rail service is offered, for authorized disabled patrons anywhere within the area served by WMATA, except that Metro Access is not available for trips to Dulles Airport. (Metro Access patrons needing to go to Dulles Airport would take Metro Access to the Rosslyn Metro Station, then catch the 5A bus to Dulles Airport, which they may ride without charge.)

The service requires the applicant have a doctor certify them and are examined by a WMATA disability agent before being authorized. In order to have the examination, Metro Access will provide transportation to and from the customer's home to the examination site without charge. If authorized, the user is issued a photo-ID card which permits the holder (and an attendant, if they have one) to ride Metrobus and Metrorail without charge. The photo-ID is specifically for the use of the disabled person only; loaning one's Metro Access photo-ID to another person is considered fraud which could result in the privilege to use the service being revoked.

Metro Access is operated by contractors for WMATA. As a result of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit over misconduct by the contract operators, the transit authority has agreed to implement certain checks and controls to prevent conditions such as missed trips by customers, misidentifying customers by Metro Access drivers, and late arrival or no-shows by Metro Access vehicles. As of August 15 2008 from the settlement, Metro Access Clients who were approved on or before the end of July will automatically be given credit for ten $2.50 trips which may be used at any time, up through a certain expiration date.

Effective June 30 2008, Metro Access will begin requiring users to present their Metro Access photo-ID card when boarding (referred to as "100% ID check") as an attempt to reduce fraudulent use of the service by persons not autorized for its use.