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The Lift Paratransit Service
Eligible Riders
The Lift is curb-to-curb transportation anywhere within one mile of an Athens Transit fixed bus route for people with a mobility impairment that prevents them from using the regular bus service. Distance from the nearest bus stop does not, by itself, make you eligible for this service. Some examples of mobility impairments that may make you eligible are:
- Confinement to a wheelchair
- Inability to walk to the nearest bus stop or to board the bus
- Use of walker, crutches, or similar assistive devices
Application
Click here to download a fillable PDF application for The Lift.
The Lift Application is available in accessible formats upon request by contacting Patricia Hale at Pat.Hale@accgov.com or 706-613-3913.
For questions and more information, call 706-613-3435.
Scheduling Your Trip
Service hours for the Lift are:
- 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
- 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Saturday
Holidays
No service will be provided on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Lift Reservations
You may reserve a space on The Lift by calling 706-613-3435 up to 14 days in advance. Reservations may be made between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. You must schedule all trips at least one day in advance and you must call before 5:00 p.m. You may also request a trip after hours and on Sunday by using the recording device. Your trip will be confirmed on Sunday evening. When scheduling your trip, please have the following information ready:
- Name
- Origination address
- Destination address
- Time you are due at your destination
- Approximate time of your return trip
- Type of assistive device, such as wheelchair or cane, if any
- Number of guests or escorts to accompany you
The scheduler will then give you an approximate time you will be picked up. The driver may arrive up to 15 minutes before or after this time. Times requested may not be available. The scheduler will try to accommodate your request at your requested time or within one hour before or after the requested time.
Fares
Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to make ACC Transit, including the Lift Service, fare free through June 30th 2023.
Passenger Policies
Passengers are responsible for being ready and at the front door of the residence / facility where they are to be boarded at least 15 minutes before their scheduled time. If they know they will be late, it is their responsibility to call before the van arrives.
Drivers are not allowed to go into residences or other facilities to look for passengers. To avoid delaying other passengers, drivers can only wait five minutes before proceeding on their route. When you board the vehicle, please present your fare to the driver. You will not be allowed to ride without a cash fare when the van arrives, you will be charged for a no show. Next, fasten your seat belts. For your safety, drivers are not allowed to put the vehicle in motion until your seat belts are fastened.
Restrictions
Passengers will not consume any beverages, use illegal drugs, smoke, eat, use obscene language or behave in a violent or disruptive behavior, or play radios while on board the van. Passengers will only bring on the van a number of packages / bags of groceries which can be carried on board at one time. Drivers are not allowed to make several trips carrying packages or lifting heavy items which could cause back injury.Guests and Escorts
If you require an escort, one may ride with you.
Changes and Cancellations
Changes in pick-up times and/or destinations must be made with the scheduler one hour prior to the time for your scheduled trip.If you need to cancel your scheduled trip, be sure to call 706-613-3435 at least one hour prior to your trip. Cancellations called in less than one hour of the scheduled pickup time will result in a "late calls" within a one-month period, eligibility shall be suspended for one week. Failure to notify us of your cancellation will result in your being charged a "no show." After a no show, you will be suspended from using the service until you pay a $3.50 fare for the no show trip.
No Shows
No-shows for reasons that are beyond the customer’s control will not be counted. Examples of excused no-shows include but are not limited to:
• Family or other emergencies;
• ACCTD staff error;
• Inclement weather such as ice and snow.
Subscription Service
If you will be making the same trip three or more times per week, please notify the scheduler so that subscription service can be arranged, if time slots are available. Subscription service allows you to schedule all of your trips with one phone call. According to ADA, subscription service may not absorb more than fifty percent of the number of trips available at a given time of day.Fares
Currently, the Lift Service is Fare Free until June 30, 2023. When fares are reinstated, the one-way fare for passengers is $3.50. Required escorts may ride free. Guests must pay $3.50 per trip. A 10-trip pass is available for $35.00 and sold at 325 Pound Street.-
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