Accessibility
HRT understands the critical role public transit has in making independence and mobility possible for the senior and disabled citizens of Hampton Roads. We are dedicated to making it easier for customers to use our fixed route and paratransit services through a comprehensive program of accessibility improvements, such as fleet enhancements, station construction, and other service initiatives.
Accessible Services
Bus
Low Floor Buses: HRT’s low-floor “kneeling” buses are designed to accommodate senior and disabled persons riding our fixed routes. The entire bus floor is engineered to be lowered, eliminating steps when boarding. Hydraulic technology allows the operator to bring the entire bus down to the curb for easy walk-on access or ramp extension for wheelchair entry. Wide doors and a generous front aisle width clear the way for easy transportation.
Boarding: Operators make every effort to curb buses and deploy ramps to the sidewalk. However, this may not always be possible. If the angle of the ramp is steep, the operator has been trained to assist your boarding by guiding you up the ramp and/or applying weight on your handles to assist you with traction.
When requested, HRT employees will assist you to the best of their physical ability. Employees can help provide lateral movement and guidance. HRT Operators will not carry or lift you, your mobility device, or any additional baggage you may have. The exception to this is pushing a manual wheelchair up a particularly steep ramp. HRT personnel are permitted to assist you with inserting your cash or farecard into the farebox
Mobility Devices: All HRT buses can transport mobility devices of any type – wheelchairs, scooters, and wheelchair strollers – that measure up to 30 inches wide, 48 inches long, and weigh up to 600 lbs. when occupied. Larger mobility devices are not able to be transported on our buses.
Once on board it is the operator’s responsibility to secure your mobility device and offer you assistance with a lap securement belt. All mobility devices must be secured in four locations of non-movable parts. HRT also supplies additional securement straps that will make it easier and faster for the HRT operator to secure your mobility device. These straps can be installed free of charge by calling HRT Customer Services at 222-6036.
Your mobility device should have a seat-belt. We ask that you use it when boarding and riding on HRT vehicles. You will need this safety device in the event that the bus should make a sudden stop or when using the ramp to exit a low-floor bus. Take advantage of the additional securement shoulder belt offered to you by the operator. Do not try to unsecure your mobility device while the bus is in motion.
Personal Care Assistant (PCA): A PCA needs no formal certification or identification to be eligible to assist a disabled passenger. Hampton Roads Transit allows the PCA of a disabled passenger to ride free.
However, all disabled passengers accompanied by a PCA must first present his or her Certificate of Eligibility card to prove disability status. The Certificate of Eligibility card (which is issued to ADA Paratransit Service passengers and indicates their eligibility to ride at one-half the regular adult fare) must have the Travels with Personal Care Assistant box marked yes in order for the PCA to ride free. Proper ID and declaration of a PCA must be presented to Hampton Roads Transit operators for passengers to board since not all disabilities are obvious.
Service Animals: Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.Trained service animals of HRT are free of charge. When using HRT or within HRT facilities, service animals must be leashed and under the owner’s control. Be aware that an operator may exclude a service animal, from the bus or HRT facility when that animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
HRT’s Paddlewheel Ferry Service
All ferries and all ferry boarding docks are wheelchair accessible and allow for level boarding passengers. Click here for more information about the Paddlewheel Ferry.
The Tide – Boarding in 2011
All Tide vehicles and stations are designed to meet or exceed ADA requirements and will be equipped with a height control system that will ensure level boarding. Each vehicle has dedicated space for wheelchairs and the aisles are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The vehicles smooth breaking system eliminates the need for special straps and other equipment to secure wheelchairs and mobility devices. Click here for more information about The Tide.
Handi-Ride
If you have a disability that prevents you from using HRT’s fixed route bus service, you may be eligible for our ADA Paratransit Services. Handi-Ride is available to eligible customers who cannot use fixed route buses due to a physical, mental, or cognitive disability. Only registered Handi-Ride customers may take advantage of the service. Click here for more information about Handi Ride.
Fares
Qualifying for HRT Half Fare ID Card: Senior citizens (age 60 and over) and persons with disabilities who have a valid HRT Half Fare ID card, HRT ADA Certification card or a valid Medicare card and photo identification are eligible to pay half fare on all HRT’s fixed route services, shuttle services and PaddleWheel ferry service. Additionally, seniors and persons with disabilities may take advantage of HRT’s farecards available for senior and persons with disabilities
HRT Senior and Persons with Disability ID Application: The HRT Half Fare ID card is $5.00. Applications are available from the any of our HRT customer service locations, by sending a request to HRT, Attn: Customer Service, 3400 Victoria Blvd., Hampton, VA 23661 or by calling (757)222-6000 and requesting an application be mailed to you. ID cards are issued at HRT headquarters or at designated regional locations. Please call for more information.
Paratransit Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee provides a communication link between the TDCHR, persons with disabilities who use or may use its services, and service providers to the disabled community on matters related to Paratransit service within HRT’s service area. Click here to read more about the HRT Paratransit Advisory Committee.
For accessibility related concerns
Contact Us
Call: (757) 222-6036 or TDD (757) 722-8427Write: Hampton Roads Transit
Attention Manager of Paratransit Services
3400 Victoria Blvd.
Hampton, VA 23661
E-mail: paratransitdept@hrtransit.org
Requesting Materials in Alternative Formats: Materials that HRT makes routinely available to the public, including but not limited to, schedules, system maps and customer guides, are available in alternative formats, upon request, by calling Customer Service at (757) 222-6036 or TDD at (757) 722-8427 or E-mail: paratransitdept@hrtransit.org.
Depending on the nature of the request, the alternative formatted material will be made available to the requesting party within ten (10) business days of the request. Alternative formats include Braille and large print.