Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

ACCESS Transportation Systems, sponsored by Port Authority of Allegheny County, is one of the largest coordinated paratransit (transportation services required by the Americans With Disabilities Act for people unable to use fixed-route transportation like buses and taxis) programs in the nation, providing about 1.9 million rides annually primarily to individuals with disabilities, low incomes and older adults. About 35% of ACCESS’ trips are sponsored by more than 125 participating agencies that purchase transportation services. Coordination was a founding principle of the ACCESS program in 1979; seen as a way to avoid costly duplication of service, thereby making the maximum dollars available for the highest quality, least restricted service possible.

Thanks to coordination of combined resources with its partners, ACCESS is a strong and extensive system, serving all of Allegheny County seven days per week, 365 days per year, 6 AM to midnight. There are 430 vehicles in use on an average weekday, with assistance provided through the door, including assistance up or down up to four steps. The system design is a reflection of the community’s commitment to a transportation system that provides full mobility for its users.

A hallmark of the ACCESS system is its flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs. While the basic framework of the transportation system is consistent, many service amenities have been developed in response to stated needs or concerns and are often tailored to individual agency requests. Frequently, human service transportation requires more than a ride from an origin to a destination – it is a package of services that can include additional driver assistance, set routines for customers who cannot tolerate variability in service, and accommodating small children and their parents. The coordinated system is not a single “one size fits all” service offering, but one that reflects the diverse needs of the community. In response to needs, new program offerings are regularly implemented within the ACCESS system.