Dear Paratransit Applicant:

Available for download is an application for Suffolk County Accessible Transit (SCAT) paratransit system.  It is not necessary for you to obtain a medical certification, but please answer all the questions.  This will enable us to determine your eligibility.  All information will be kept confidential.

When you have completed and signed the application, mail it and two identical (or similar) black and white, or color photographs (no copies please) to:

Suffolk County Office of Handicapped Services
Building 158, North County Complex
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY  11788-0099

You will be notified as to your eligibility by mail within three weeks.

The specifications for the two original photographs are: clear, full face, front view.  Your face should fit in a 1" x 1 1/4" area, the size of a the box below, just print your name on the back of each photo and attach them to the application with a paper clip.

On the other side of this cover letter is information about Paratransit.  If you have any questions, or need assistance filling out the application, please feel free to call us at (631) 853-8337 (voice) or (631) 853-5658 (TTY for hearing impaired).  Also, copies of the federal Department of Transportation and ADA Paratransit standards are available upon request.

Photo Size

Very truly yours, Bruce Blower, Director Suffolk County Office of Handicapped Services

SCAT-PARATRANSIT PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

1. To make a trip reservation, call the Suffolk County Accessible Transit (SCAT) paratransit dispatcher at (631) 738-1150 (voice) or (631) 981-0104 (TTY).  ALL RESERVATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.  Riders are entitled to trips on a first-come, first-served basis.
   

2. Reservations may be made up to 7 days in advance and no later than one day prior to the day you want to ride, if available.  Multiple reservations can be made at one time.  Since reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis you may not always get the reservations you desire if those time slots have already been taken.
   

3. Reservations can be made between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for next-day service, if available.  For trips on Monday, reservations can be made on Sunday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
   

4. On Mondays through Saturdays, the first daily pick-up will be about 6:00 a.m. and the last daily pick-up will be at about 8:30 p.m.  Please note that there is no bus service on Sundays or on holidays so there is not paratransit service on these days either.
   

5. Initially, the fare is $3.00 one way ($6.00 round trip), but may be based upon twice the cost of making a similar trip on the regular bus system.  Exact fare is required.  Drivers can not give change.
   

6. For riders requiring personal care attendant (PCA), the attendant will travel free.  In addition to the PCA, one companion can also accompany the rider by paying the full fare.  Additional companies may also accompany the rider, but only if sufficient vehicle capacity can accommodate them and they each must also pay the full fare.
   

7. Riders must have I.D. cards with them when using SCAT identifying them as ADA paratransit eligible.  (If you do not yet have your ID card, bring your eligibility certification letter along on the trip.)
   

8. If cancellation of your reservation in necessary, it must be made at least two (2) hours before your scheduled pick-up time.  In an emergency, call as soon as possible.  However, riders who are repeat no shows or cancel excessively, risk having their riding privileges suspended or revoked.
   

9. Service is curb-to-curb only.  Please do not ask driver for door-to-door service.  You must be at the curb at the time of your scheduled pick up.  Drivers can not leave the bus to bring riders to or from the curb.
   

10. All pick-up and drop-off locations must be within Suffolk County, NY.  Trip origins and destinations must be within 3/4 of a mile of a Suffolk County Transit fixed bus route.
    

11. If you are able to use the public bus system for any trips, we urge you to do so, to make room for people who can only travel via paratransit.  Thank you for your cooperation.

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