Paratransit Services
Paratransit services are special public transportation options for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Most area city and county governments have implemented, and are continuing to enhance, paratransit services for their residents based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Scroll down or choose a topic at left for information on the paratransit services provided by local area transportation systems. For general information about these transportation systems, visit our Local and commuter bus page.
Regional Systems
Metro
The Metro system is the Washington, D.C. area's regional transportation system operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The system is considered one of the most accessible transit systems in the world. All Metrobuses are either low floor ramp or lift equipped. All Metrorail stations and rail cars are accessible.
Discounted Fares, the Metro ID Card, and the Senior SmarTrip Card
Metro offers discounted fares for seniors and persons with disabilities.
To purchase discounted fares, persons with disabilities under the age of 65 must have a Metro ID card. This ID card is also honored by many local bus systems that offer discounted fares to persons with disabilities.
Senior citizens 65 or older (with disabilities or not) do not need the Metro ID card, just a valid government-issed photo ID that includes date of birth and address. Senior citizens may purchase the Senior SmarTrip Card, which automatically deducts discounted fares.
 MetroAccess
WMATA also operates MetroAccess, a shared ride, door-to-door paratransit service for people who cannot use public transportation due to a disability. To qualify for MetroAccess service, you must complete an application. For more information, see WMATA's MetroAccess page.
More information about Metro system accessiblility from WMATA.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
MTA operates MARC commuter rail between points in Maryland and West Virginia and Washington, D.C., commuter bus service between points in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and local bus and light rail service in Baltimore.
MTA is committed to providing a public transit system that everyone can use. For information about accessiblility and MTA, see the list of accessibility topics on MTA's website.
Paratransit Services in Virginia
Arlington County
ART-Arlington Transit provides bus services in Arlington County, supplementing the regional Metro bus and rail system. All ART buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and have priority seating.
ART offers discounted fares for customers 65 years of age and older and persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities under the age of 65 must have a Metro ID card. Senior citizens 65 or older do not need the Metro ID card, just a valid government-issed photo ID that includes date of birth and address. Senior citizens may purchase the Senior SmarTrip Card, which automatically deducts discounted fares. ART accepts SmarTrip. For more information, see ART's Fares page.
 STAR - Specialized Transit for Arlington Residents is Arlington's pre-arranged reserved trip paratransit service. STAR is part of the ART system
STAR serves Arlington residents who have difficulty using fixed-route bus services because of a disability. Basic STAR services are intended to provide a comparable level of transportation as provided by ART, Metrobus and Metrorail.
Accessible Taxicabs in Arlington
Accessible taxicabs are now available for on-demand point-to-point service in Arlington for people who require mobility aids such as wheelchairs or scooters. These accessible vehicles will enhance the convenience and opportunities of travel for the public with physical disabilities. Because the strength of the taxi industry is demand-responsive service, the vehicles can be used for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory clients. The County Board approved issuance of special taxicab certificates for the exclusive use of wheelchair-accessible taxi vehicles.
Arlington Blue Top Cab has four accessible taxicabs available. These customized vans enable passengers to take a cab without transferring out of their wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are wheeled in and out of the vehicles via a side-loading ramp, and wheelchairs are secured to the van floor with straps. Accessible taxis are available by calling 703-243-8294 no less than 24 hours before pickup time. TDD is available for the hearing impaired through Virginia Relay at 1-800-828-1120. As with the rest of the fleet, fares are computed by electronic meter. Reservations for accessible taxicabs are not accepted through Blue Top Cab's web site.
 Arlington Red Top Cab operates wheelchair accessible vans equiped with ramps and tie downs for motorized wheelchairs. Accessible Van drivers are all specially trained. Arlington Red Top Cab contact information.
Yellow Cab has wheelchair accessible cabs available with 3-hour advance request. 24 Hour Dispatch: (703) 522-2222. TDD is available for the hearing impaired through Virginia Relay at 1-800-828-1120.
Senior Citizen Red Top Cab Tickets: Senior and disabled customers of Arlington Red Top, Blue Top and Yellow Cab can save 10% on their fare when they purchase special ticket books from The Commuter Store. You can even tip the driver with these tickets! A $20 value for $18. You can order ticket books from CommuterDirect.com, or contact The Commuter Store.
City of Alexandria
The Alexandria Transit Company's DASH system provides safe and reliable bus service within the City of Alexandria and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express, and the Fairfax Connector. DASH serves all Metrorail stations within the City of Alexandria and Pentagon station. All DASH buses are wheelchair accessible.
The City of Alexandria also sponsors a curb-to-curb transportation service for persons with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route service. TDD is available for the hearing impaired through Virginia Relay at 1-800-828-1120.
The City of Alexandria Office of Aging and Adult Services also provides special transportation services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Fairfax County
Fairfax Connector
All Reston/Herndon area Fairfax Connector buses, including RIBS — The Reston Internal Bus System, are wheelchair lift-equipped.
Fairfax Connector offers discounted fares for customers 65 years of age and older and persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities under the age of 65 must have a Metro ID card. Senior citizens 65 or older do not need the Metro ID card, just a valid government-issed photo ID that includes date of birth and address. Senior citizens may purchase the Senior SmarTrip Card, which automatically deducts discounted fares. Fairfax Connector accepts SmarTrip.
Fairfax County Seniors-On-The-Go
Seniors who qualify for Seniors-On-The-Go can purchase discounted taxicab coupon booklets.
Fairfax County TaxiAccess
TaxiAccess is a program that provides subsidized taxicab service to Fairfax County residents who are registered with MetroAccess.
FASTRAN Dial-a-Ride
Fastran offers specialized transportation services for residents of Fairfax County and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church participating in human service agency programs. All Fastran riders must be certified by a participating agency before utilizing the service.
City of Fairfax CUE Bus System
City of Fairfax CUE has wheelchair-accessible buses on every route. CUE offers discounted fairs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities with valid ID.
City of Fairfax City Wheels
City Wheels provides alternative transportation within the City of Fairfax, to George Mason University, to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station, and to Fair Oaks Hospital for city residents who have disabilities and find it difficult or impossible to use conventional bus service. Service is provided through private taxicabs.
City of Falls Church — Fare Wheels
Fare Wheels uses private taxicabs and lift-equipped vehicles to provide rides to qualified city residents.
FRED — Fredericksburg Regional Transit
To serve those who may have difficulty getting to fixed bus stops, FRED will make modest deviations off its regular routes to provide curb-side service to its customers. For more information, go to Fred's website, click on General Info, and scroll down to Route Deviation Service.
Loudoun County Transit
The Loudoun County-sponsored system of commuter buses provides weekday bus service to Washington D.C., Pentagon, Rosslyn and West Falls Church Metro from stops in Purcellville, Hamilton, Leesburg, Sterling, Dulles South, Cascades, and Lowes Island. The buses are operated by Veolia Transportation. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
OmniRide and OmniLink
Omniride is a weekday commuter bus service operated by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). Omniride provides service from locations throughout Prince William County along the I-95 corridor and Manassas and Gainesville areas along the I-66 corridor to destinations in the Washington, D.C. area.
OmniLink is PRTC's local weekday bus service in Eastern Prince William County and the Manassas area. It was designed to meet the transportation needs of the entire community, including individuals who may have difficulty walking to established bus stops. In addition to serving designated bus stops, OmniLink buses can leave the route to pick up or drop off passengers at locations up to 3/4 mile off the route when there is time available in the schedule.
All OmniLink and most OmniRide buses are wheelchair-accessible and all have designated priority seating. Wheelchair passengers can board buses at any regular stop. For OmniLink local buses, passengers may call ahead to arrange off-route service at locations up to three-quarters of a mile off a standard route. Even when boarding at a regular bus stop, customers should call in advance, as each bus can only accommodate two wheelchairs.
For more information about accessibility and PRTC services, see PRTC's Accessibility page.
Virginia Regional Transit
Virginia Regional Transit is baced in Purcellville, Virginia and serves fifteen different jurisdictions, including Loudoun, Fauquier, Culpeper, Orange, Clarke, Frederick, Warren, Page, Augusta, and Highland.
Paratransit Services in Maryland
Calvert County
Calvert County Government Transportation Services serves the transportation needs of the general public as well as the elderly and persons with disabilities. The county provides a deviated fixed route system Monday through Saturday to link residents with major shopping, medical, and employment, as well as with public services available in Prince Frederick.
Connect-A-Ride
Fixed-route service serving four counties in the mid Baltimore/Washington suburban area (Howard, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Montgomery). Connect-A-Ride offers discounted fares for seniors and persons with disabilities. Buses are wheelchair-equipped. Connect-A-Ride is operated by Corridor Transportation Corporation.
Howard County
Howard Transit is Howard County's fixed-route bus system. Howard Transit offers reduced fares for seniors (aged 60 and over) and persons with disabilities with the system's own ID card. Buses are equipped to transport wheelchair passengers.
HT Ride is a specialized, curb-to-curb transportation service for individuals who cannot ride fixed route buses.
Montgomery County
Ride On
All of Ride On's buses are wheelchair accessible, and the county offers free rides on Ride On and Metro buses with a valid senior ID card. The county's Call 'N' Ride program provides subsidized taxi trips for low-income persons with disabilities and seniors. Montgomery County also particpates in MetroAccess, the D.C. area's regional paratransit system.
For more information, see the "Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities" page on Montgomery County's site.
Prince Georges County
TheBus is Prince Georges County's weekday local bus service. The Bus provides free rides to seniors (55+) and persons with disabilities.
Call-A-Bus is a demand response curb-to-curb service. Service is available to all residents of Prince George's County who are not served by or cannot use existing bus or rail services. However, priority is given to senior and disabled persons. Disabled persons must provide their own escort if needed. Service animals are allowed for the visually impaired.
Call-A-Cab is a transportation assistance program that provides mobility at a reduced cost for senior (age 55 and over) and/or disabled County residents. This program allows eligible residents to purchase coupon books that can be used to pay for rides with participating cab companies when Metrobus, Metrorail, and/or Call-A-Bus are not available.
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