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What is BT Access?
BT Access is a transportation service for persons with disabilities who,
by means of a disability, cannot use the existing Bloomington Transit
"fixed route" bus system.
BT Access is operated by the Bloomington Public Transportation
Corporation. It is the same organization that operates the Bloomington
Transit bus system.
BT Access service is provided with vans equipped with wheelchair lifts.
If you are eligible, these vans can pick you up and take you anywhere in Bloomington and, then
take you back home. There are no restrictions on where in the city you can
go or how often, depending upon your eligibility. Take BT Access:
- to work
- to school
- to medical or dental
appointments
- shopping
- to visit friends
Who Can Use BT Access?
Anyone may apply for BTAccess paratransit eligibility. You may call
Bloomington Transit at 336-RIDE (7433) and request that an application be
mailed, e-mailed or faxed to you. Please let the Customer Service
Representative know which accessible format best suits your particular
needs (tape, e-mail, or Braille). You may obtain a BTaccess Application on our
website. A form must be completed and approved before you may
schedule your first trip. Verification of your eligibility by a medical
doctor licensed to practice in the state of Indiana may be necessary.
Eligibility to use BT Access may be granted on a full or conditional
basis depending on the person's ability to use regular fixed route bus
service. Those persons who receive full eligibility status may use BT
Access for all trips within the service area during days and hours that
service operates. Conditional eligibility may be granted to persons who
under certain conditions may be able to use regular fixed route service.
Persons with conditional eligibility may use BT Access when their
disability prevents them from using the regular fixed route service.
All persons granted full or conditional eligibility for BT Access are
subject to periodic recertification of their eligibility status. Such
recertification shall generally be done every 1-3 years.
In order to properly schedule the vans so that we can be there when you
need us, you must schedule your trip by 5:00 pm the day before you wish to
travel.
BT Access can pick you up and drop you off only within the city limits
of Bloomington.
If you aren't sure of a location, simply call the BT Access information
number for help. If you like, a friend or relative may act as your companion
and accompany you on your trip. Companions must pay the full fare requested
($2.00) per one-way trip. Personal Care Attendants, if required, may
accompany you at no charge.
BT Access drivers may pick you up and drop you off at your curbside. For
security reasons, drivers may not enter your home, apartment building or
place of business. Therefore, please remember to make appropriate
arrangements in advance.
BT Access will sometimes accept standing orders for recurring trips on
the same day and time from week to week. Such standing order trips shall
not exceed more than 50 percent of the total trips made during that given
time of day. Please contact Bloomington Transit if you are interested in
setting up a standing order.
Passenger Responsibilities
BT Access passengers have the following responsibilities:
- Schedule BT Access service
at least the day before a trip is planned.
- Paying the proper fare to
the driver at the time of the trip.
- Use BT Access service only
when regular fixed route service cannot be used because of the
person's disabilities.
- Treat BT Access personnel
and other passengers with respect.
- Show up for scheduled trips
within 5 minutes of the scheduled time.
- Show up at the curb of your
origin point to board the vehicle. It is not the driver's
responsibility to look for the passenger in buildings or elsewhere.
- Limit "no shows"
and late cancellations since these affect service availability and
timeliness to others.
- Obey all vehicle and
service rules with respect to no eating or drinking on vehicles, no
smoking on vehicles, no playing loud music, proper use of seatbelts,
keeping service animals under control, being able to carry your own
packages and other items, not asking the driver to attend to personal
requests of the passenger such as entering their home, and any other
rules.
Failure to adhere to the
responsibilities outlined above may result in refusal of service and
possible sanctions in future use of the service.
How Much Does It Cost?
Registration is free. Each time you ride, you must pay the driver $2 or
$4 for a round trip. Drivers will not make change. Ten ride punch cards are
available for $20 and 30 ride punch cards for $60 at the Bloomington
Transit office, 130 W. Grimes
Lane and at the 4th and Washington bus
terminal. Passes are also available by mail. Call us for more
details.
When and Where Does BT Access Operate?
BT Access vans operate on the following days and times:
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Time of Year
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Days
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Span of Hours
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Service Area
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Year round
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Monday - Friday
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6:10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
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All areas within Bloomington
incorporated area
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IU Fall & Spring Semesters only – break periods
not included
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Thursday, Friday,
Saturday
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11:30 p.m. to 3:35 a.m.
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Origins & destinations must be within 3/4 mile of Routes
6 and 9
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Year round
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Saturday
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7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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All areas within Bloomington
incorporated area
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IU Fall & Spring Semesters only
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Saturday
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7:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
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Origins & destinations must be within 3/4 mile of Routes 6 and 9
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IU Fall & Spring Semesters only
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Sunday
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10:30 am-
10:30 pm
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Origins & destinations must be within 3/4 mile of Routes
6 and 9
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IU Fall & Spring Semesters only
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Sunday
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9:30 am
7:30 pm
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Origins & destinations must be within 3/4 mile of Routes
6 and 9
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The span of hours noted in the table above indicates the earliest time a
pickup can be made and the latest time a drop-off can be made. All trip
origins and destinations must be within the incorporated area of the City
of Bloomington.
In cases where BT Access is provided only during special times during the
IU fall and spring semesters, trip origins and destinations must be within
3/4 mile of the appropriate fixed route (9 IU Campus Route or Route 6 Campus
Shuttle).
BT Access service is not provided on the following holidays: New
Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas
Day.
How Do I Apply?
Just follow this link to obtain a BT Access Application Then simply
print the form, fill it out entirely and return it to BT Access, c/o
Bloomington Transit, 130 W.
Grimes Lane, Bloomington, IN 47403
Get More Information
Follow this link to obtain a BT Access Customer Handbook.
How Can I Advocate and Help Improve BT Access?
The Bloomington Council on Accessible Transportation (BCOAT) is an
advisory group to the BT Access staff that meets regularly to provide input
on the development of policies and procedures relative to BT Access service
and BT fixed route. These open-to-the-public meetings are held at the
BT offices, 130 W. Grimes Lane,
Bloomington, Indiana.
For more information about the meetings, please contact Mr. Eli McCormick, Customer Service Manager, at
332-5688. The next scheduled BCOAT meeting is planned for January 21, 2009
at 6:30 p.m. in the Bloomington Transit Conference Room. BT Access clients
can ride for free to and from the meeting.
Seeking Ways to Make Your Home More Accessible?
Just follow this link to obtain information on the City of Bloomington's Housing
and Neighborhood Development Program for Home Modification for Accessible Living.
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