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Access-A-Ride Paratransit Service (AAR) | Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Access-A-Ride (AAR) Paratransit Service provides public transportation for eligible customers with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using the public buses and subways for some or all of their trips. AAR operates 24/7/365.
- AAR service is available within NYC’s five boroughs.
- This includes an area three-quarters of a mile beyond fixed-route service across the NYC border to parts of Nassau and Westchester counties.
- AAR is a shared-ride program. This means you may ride with other customers.
- AAR offers:
- origin-to-destination service or feeder service for eligible customers.
- non-priority trips with maximum ride times based on trip distance.
- Fares are the same as full fare on public transit.
- Participants can book and manage their trips online.
- AAR also:
- complies with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
- provides free interpretation and document translation services. These are available during the application, eligibility, and scheduling processes.
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2. Determine Your Eligibility
More ways to get help with this program
Call 311
Ask about Access-A-Ride.
Call Access-A-Ride
Call 877-337-2017 (from NYC) or 718-393-4999 (from other area codes) for more information.
2. Determine your eligibility
You may be eligible for Access-A-Ride if:
- you have a disability that prevents you from using accessible buses or subways for some or all of your trips, and
- if your needs match the ADA’s requirements.
- You could also be eligible if you’re recovering from surgery, have a long-term condition, or are seeking Paratransit Service during your visit to NYC.
While applying for AAR, you will be asked to show whether you can:
- go up or down subway stairs,
- travel to a subway or bus station,
- get on, ride, and exit a subway or bus,
- and ride or navigate the bus or subway system on your own.
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3. What You Need to Include
3. What you need to include
You will need medical documents that prove your transportation-related disability.
Next section:
4. How to Apply
- Call to schedule an appointment at an assessment center to see if you’re eligible for AAR.
- If calling from the NY metro area and adjacent counties, call 877-337-2017.
- From other area codes, call 718-393-4999.
- Interpretation services are available if your preferred language is not English.
- For the hearing impaired (TTY), call AAR using a preferred relay service or the free 711 service relay.
- Complete the application form.
- After completing step 1 above, you will get an AAR application form in the mail. Complete and bring the form with you to your scheduled assessment.
- Attend your physical assessment.
- At your in-person assessment, you will have a personal interview with a healthcare professional as well as functional testing.
- You can schedule a free Paratransit ride to and from your assessment, if you need.
- You will get a decision about your eligibility in the mail.
- If you are eligible, information for booking rides on AAR will be included.
- If you are denied or given conditional eligibility, you can appeal the decision within 60 days of being notified.
- It takes around three weeks for a decision to be made. If you have not received a decision after weeks, you can call AAR at 877-337-2017 to check.
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More ways to get help with this program
Call 311
Ask about Access-A-Ride.
Call Access-A-Ride
Call 877-337-2017 (from NYC) or 718-393-4999 (from other area codes) for more information.
FAQs
You are eligible for Access-A-Ride if you have a disability that prevents you from using the public buses or subways.
How much does Access-A-Ride pay NYC? ›
How much does an Access Ride Driver make in New York? As of Sep 3, 2024, the average hourly pay for an Access Ride Driver in New York is $20.38 an hour.
Who runs Access-A-Ride NYC? ›
Access-A-Ride is operated by private carriers under contract to the City.
Can Access-A-Ride go to Long Island? ›
Access-A-Ride (AAR) Paratransit Service operates: Within the five boroughs of New York City and within a three-quarter-of-a-mile corridor beyond fixed-route service across the NYC borderline to nearby areas of Nassau and Westchester counties. A shared-ride program (you may be riding with other customers).
Who qualifies for the accessible queue? ›
For people who find standing and or queuing a substantial barrier to accessing services. This may include people who physically cannot stand or queue for any significant amount of time, or people that have an issue with understanding the concept of queuing.
How to get a free ride in NYC? ›
If you spend $34 within seven days, you ride free for the rest of the cap period. If you spend less, you only pay for the rides you take. The cap resets every seven days and restarts with your next tap. Express buses, group trips, and transfers do not count toward the cap.
How much does LYFT pay NYC? ›
As of Sep 7, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Full Time Lyft Driver in New York is $17.51 an hour.
How do I schedule a ride in NYC? ›
Call 877-337-2017 (from NYC) or 718-393-4999 (from other area codes) for more information.
Who is eligible for Access-A-Ride in NJ? ›
If you need help getting around New Jersey, you may be eligible for: Access Link ADA Paratransit – A public shared ride system for individuals with disabilities that picks you up and drops you off at your Paratransit service area and hours resemble NJ Transit's bus and light rail system.
Where does the ride NYC start? ›
Iconic spots include Broadway, 5th Avenue, Central Park, and Times Square. Where does THE RIDE NYC start? Tour meets at 259 West 42nd Street (42nd Street and 8th Ave), in front of Five Guys.
Single Ride. Cost: $3.25. These are only available at ticket machines. They aren't refillable. These are useful if you don't want to put the $5.80 minimum on a pay-per-ride card.
Does Westchester have access to a ride? ›
AAR has transfer locations to accommodate travel between the Bronx and Westchester County and/or Queens and Nassau County. However, customers must have established eligibility with AAR and Able-Ride (Nassau County) or Bee-Line ParaTransit (Westchester County).
Who qualifies for NYC Access-A-Ride? ›
Who is Eligible for Access-A-Ride? Person with a disability that substantially prevents her from independently using the subway or bus.
How do I pay for Access-A-Ride in NYC? ›
AAR fares are the same as full fare on public transit. Show the driver your AAR ID card or AAR MetroCard or any photo ID and pay the exact fare as you board the vehicle. AAR MetroCards cannot be used to pay for Paratransit vehicle trips. AAR drivers do not provide change and do not accept roundtrip fares.
Is there Access-A-Ride in Nassau County? ›
For travel between Nassau and Queens Counties, call Able-Ride at 516-228-4000 and New York City Transit's Access-A-Ride at 877-337-2017 to reserve these trips.
What does a ride access pass mean? ›
Ride Access Pass refers to the facility offered to our guests with disabilities allowing access to our rides and attractions whereby the standard queue is bypassed.
Who qualifies for MBTA the ride? ›
The MBTA RIDE Program
Individuals with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations with public transportation due to difficulty with walking, vision or hearing, using stairs or escalators, or riding in a standard transit vehicle can receive MBTA door-to-door paratransit services upon eligibility.
What is NYS access pass? ›
The Access Pass allows qualified New York State (NY State) residents with disabilities, as defined in the application, free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NY State Parks) and the NY State Department ...
