§ 19-601.5. Application for services.

An application for service must be completed and approved by Laredo Transit Management, Inc., prior to delivery of El Lift paratransit services. An application for service may be requested by calling the El Lift office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or by coming to the offices at:

Laredo Transit Center
Attn: El Lift
1301 Farragut 2nd Floor West
Laredo, Texas 78040

Upon receipt of a request for an application, one will be mailed to the requestor within two (2) working days. The applicant and professional must complete the application form and return it to the El Metro office in person.

An application cannot be approved until the verification of disability is completed by a physician or other professional and returned to El Metro.

Within twenty-one (21) days, the following information will be mailed to the applicant:

(1)

Approval or rejection of application (and reason, if rejected). Trip denials will be under the following circumstances only:

a.

Noneligibility as defined by ADA eligibility categories.

b.

Trip requests with origins and destinations outside El Metro service area or when regular bus service is not available.

c.

Emergency transportation service request.

d.

"Same-day" service requests.

e.

Suspensions due to no-shows; regular or repeated actions, not isolated, accidental, or singular incidents.

f.

Violence, illegal conduct or threatening behavior.

g.

Absence of a personal care attendant (PCA) for passengers who require one.

h.

Inaccessible pickup locations i.e. second floor or higher locations.

i.

Excessive cancellations during a period of thirty (30) days.

(2)

Effective dates of eligibility.

(3)

Explanation of restrictions, if any, such as temporary certification or trip-by-trip eligibility determination.

"Agreement and Authorization" Paragraph

"If denied service, and if I wish to appeal my denial, I will exhaust all those administrative remedies available to me by filing an "Appeal to Intent to Deny" on the form attached hereto within twenty (20) days of receipt of a letter entitled "Intent to Deny" from El Lift. A response to my application to "Appeal to Intent to Deny" will be made within twenty (20) days in writing. I understand I may be asked to appear before the Appeals Committee to further pursue my request. Appellate hearings will be held within 60 days after receipt of the required appeal forms.

Applicants approved for eligibility will be notified ninety (90) days in advance if their eligibility for service is expiring. A written copy of the appeals process may be obtained by calling the customer service representative at [phone].

HOURS/ADDRESSES

Paratransit services operation hours.
Monday—Saturday: 6:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:00 a.m.—9:30 p.m.

Paratransit scheduling hours.
Monday—Sunday: 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Paratransit administration hours.
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

For information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 guidelines for paratransit services or to file an ADA complaint, please contact:

El Lift Paratransit Services
Attn: Customer Service Manager
1301 Farragut St.
Laredo, Texas 78040

SERVICE AREA

Paratransit service will be provided only within the service area. The extent of this service area is a width of three-fourths (¾) of a mile on either side of any El Metro fixed route.

The service area may be adjusted from time to time and reviewed at a public meeting.

(Ord. No. 2005-O-338, § 1(5), 12-19-05)