Choose Your Own Adventure April
Life is an adventure, but where to begin? Join us at the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Helpdesk as we explore tools to support you as you Choose Your Own Adventure this April!
- April 4: Museums for All
- April 11: AIRA Access Points and Be My Eyes Apps
- April 18: Public Transportation
- April 25: Paratransit/Call-a-Ride
In this fourth installment of our “Choose Your Own Adventure April” series, we explore transportation options reserved for disabled travelers.
At times, public transportation may not serve our needs due to availability or scheduling needs, but taxis and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft can be very expensive to use. Paratransit, including Call-a-Ride, offers transportation that is more individualized to your needs than public transportation while being less expensive than ride-share and taxi options.
MobilityLink Paratransit Services
Through MobilityLink, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides public transportation alternatives to Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County residents who cannot independently access, board, disembark from, or ride other MTA services (such as MTA’s BaltimoreLink bus system, Light RailLink, and Metro SubwayLink.
MobilityLink provides:
- Shared ride service within a three-quarter (3/4) mile radius of MTA’s services (excluding Commuter bus routes and MARC train routes)
- Door-to-door service
Accessing MobilityLink
- Proof that you applicants have an impairment that prevents them from independently accessing, boarding, disembarking, or riding other MTA services
- Apply online, or call to request an application
- Schedule MobilityLink transportation by phone, computer, or Smartphone app
- Out-of-town visitors: up to 21 days of service per year; application required
- One-way fare is $2.10
- Exact fare for each trip is required
- May purchase a 20-ride ticket book
Complete MobilityLink/Paratransit Services Ride Guide available as a PDF download
Call-a-Ride
MobilityLink is not the only paratransit option in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County. Another option, Call-a-Ride consists of two parts: Call-a-Ride Center and Call-a-Ride Service. Call-a-Ride uses selected Taxi Cab and Sedan Companies to provide door-to-door transportation for MobilityLink customers. Please note that some of these companies have a limited service area, and these limitations are set forth on the Taxi Cab and Sedan Companies web page.
Call-a-Ride cost
Call-a-Ride fares cover up to $40.00 of the cab/sedan meter. If the meter reads more than $40, the rider must pay the amount over $40. For example, if the meter reads $35, the rider owes nothing more than the original fare. If the meter reads $48, the rider must pay $8 ($48-$40) in addition to the original fare.
Call-a-Ride Center Highlights
- Available ONLY for trips to and from the customer’s dialysis center
- Fare is $2 each way (pays for meter up to $40)
Call-a-Ride Service Highlights
- Available for any purpose
- Fare is $3 each way (pays for meter up to $40)
- Limited to sixty-two (62) one-way trips per month
- After 62 trips in a month, the customer must pay the full meter reading per trip
Call-a-Ride Service Highlights
Using Call-a-Ride (Service or Center)
- Contact approved Taxi Cab/Sedan companies directly to schedule the ride
- Tell the dispatcher your MTA Call-a-Ride card number
- Must call at least 40 minutes in advance
- May take up to three people on your ride, but all must get on and off at the same place
- When entering the vehicle, present your MTA Call-a-Ride card and pay your fare
- Get your paper receipt after your ride and keep it for six months (Call-a-Ride requirement)
MetroAccess Paratransit
Disabled individuals In Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties who meet MetroAccess eligibility requirements may access its paratransit services. The MetroAccess eligibility process is quite involved and can be time-consuming; please feel free to reach out to us at the Bridges Helpdesk for more information.
Like many other paratransit services, MetroAccess provides door-to-door transportation in shared-ride vehicles. MetroAccess serves addresses within a three-quarter (¾) mile radius of the Metrorail and Metrobus services in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. MetroAccess operates during the same hours of operation as Metrorail and Metrobus.
Cost of MetroAccess
MetroAccess fares vary based on the route and are double the regular fare on a comparable fixed-route trip. However, the maximum MetroAccess fare is $6.50 per trip.
Customers must pay the exact fare for MetroAccess service. Customers may also prepay fares using MetroAccess EZ Pay.
Using MetroAccess
Customers must schedule rides at least one day in advance and up to seven days before the trip. MetroAccess also offers a subscription service that allows customers to set up regular trips in advance. To qualify, these trips must have the same start and end points and must occur on the same day of the week and at the same time each day.
MetroAccess Abilities-Ride Program
MetroAccess offers its customers the opportunity to participate in its Abilities-Rode program. In this program, the customer calls to schedule trips as usual. For customers who have signed up for the Abilities-Ride program, MetroAccess decides whether to send the regular MetroAccess shared-ride vehicle or to have a taxi cab or sedan provide the trip (which will be curb-to-curb rather than door-to-door service). MetroAccess makes this decision; the customer does not. If your ride is moved to an Abilities-Ride vehicle, you’ll get a private ride, and your fare will be free.
Other MetroAccess benefits
Individuals with MetroAccess cards can ride for free on these public transportation services: Metrobus, Metrorail, DASH, DC Circulator, Arlington Regional Transit (ART), Fairfax CUE, Fairfax Connector (most routes), Prince George’s The Bus, and Montgomery County Ride On.
Other Metro Area County Transportation Options
Montgomery County paratransit options
Montgomery County Ride On Buses
- Free rides on all Montgomery County Ride On buses
- Discounted fares on some Metro buses (in Montgomery County)
Connect-A-Ride (CAR)
Call-n-Ride (CNR) Program, including the Same Day Access (SDA) Program
Medical Assistance Transportation Program
FREE Taxi Rides to COVID Vaccination, Testing and Mask Pick Up Sites
Prince George’s County paratransit options
Call-a-Bus
Call-a-Cab
Senior Transportation Services
- Nutrition Program
- Medical Program
- General Transportation
Anne Arundel County paratransit options
Complementary Paratransit
General Paratransit (GPT)
Anne Arundel County Paratransit Riders Guide (PDF download)
Regional Transit Options
Areas outside of the Baltimore and DC Metro areas also offer paratransit services. Many of these are “ADA paratransit” services. In general, ADA paratransit provides services within a three-quarter (¾) mile radius of the fixed public transportation routes in the region and operates only during the same operating hours as regular public transportation. Most of these paratransit options are shared-ride services and require customers to schedule the ride. Additionally, most also charge fares, and some are limited to certain kinds of travel (typically for medical and educational purposes).
All of the ADA paratransit services listed below require applications to use the service, so it’s important to get the application process started at least a week or two before you want to start using the service. The application process Can be confusing, so please do not hesitate to reach out to the Bridges Helpdesk for help.
Most of the following services do not provide information about the availability of their services for non-residents. Please check with the agency or contact the Bridges Helpdesk to explore paratransit options outside of your local area.
Here are some links to other transit options in different areas of Maryland:
Central Maryland
Frederick County Paratransit options
Paratransit options
- Transit-Plus
- ADA Paratransit Service
- Fares not listed
- Available to Transit-Plus customers
- Discounted fares
- Depending on one’s residence, each month, get $70 or $140 of taxi fare “credit” for a $10 fee
- Three taxi companies participate in this program
Harford County Paratransit options – $2 fares
Harford County Paratransit options – $2 fares
ADA Paratransit
Demand Response
Howard County Paratransit Options
General Paratransit (GPT)
- One round-trip per day
- Limited service: medical appointments, colleges, senior centers, etc.
- $5 fare each way
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) services
- Shared ride service; Unlimited trips per day
- $4 fare each way
Carroll County Demand Response Service
- Limited to medical, employment, and education trips
- Fares vary based on distance: $2 to $9
Western Maryland
Washington County Paratransit options
Complimentary Paratransit Program – $2 fare each way.
- Vouchers for taxi rides
Garrett County Garrett Transit Service (GTS)
GTS provides demand response service to all residents of Garrett County. There is no special paratransit service.
Allegany County Alltrans paratransit service – $3 fare
Southern Maryland
Calvert County Paratransit options
Para Transit Services
- Four Routes
ADA
- Curb-to-curb transportation
St. Mary’s County Transit System (STS)
Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP)
- $3 fare
- Travel throughout St. Mary’s County
Charles County:
- Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP)
- $3 fare
- Travel throughout St. Mary’s County
VanGo Paratransit services
Eastern Shore
Cecil County
Transportation Reimbursement Program
Reimbursement for taxi or ride-share trips
Maximum reimbursement for 2023 is $500; the minimum is $50
Fixed Route Deviation from Cecil Transit
Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties: Delmarva Community Transit
https://www.ccgov.org/government/community-services/cecil-transit
Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties: Delmarva Community Transit
- Dorchester County ADA Service
- Talbot County ADA Service
Queen Anne’s County
Specialized Services of the County Ride
- Curb-to-curb demand response service
- $0 fares through December 2023
Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
- Paratransit services from Shore Transit
- Curb-to-curb service; $5 fare
Ocean City ADA Paratransit – $4 fare/day (covers all rides in one day)
Moving Forward
Of course, this is a lot of material. Please reach out to us at the Bridges Helpdesk for anything from exploring your options to finding out what you’re eligible for to formulating an ambitious travel plan for the first time. We’re here to make sure you have the tools and resources you need to Choose Your Own Adventure without emptying your wallet.
Ocean City ADA Paratransit – $4 fare/day (covers all rides in one day)
Ocean City ADA Paratransit – $4 fare/day (covers all rides in one day)
Ocean City ADA Paratransit – $4 fare/day (covers all rides in one day)
Of course, this is a lot of material. Please reach out to us at the Bridges Helpdesk for anything from exploring your options to finding out what you’re eligible for to formulating an ambitious travel plan for the first time. We’re here to make sure you have the tools and resources you need to Choose Your Own Adventure without emptying your wallet.
Contact us
Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridge’s Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@IMAGEmd.org
- Text or Leave a Voice mail message: (410) 357-1546
- Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page or Facebook Messenger
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.