ADA Service

Laketran’s paratransit ADA Service is a door-to-door, assisted transportation, shared ride option for people with disabilities who are unable to independently access or ride the Local Routes due to a disability. ADA Service is only provided in a specific ADA service area, which is a ¾ of a mile corridor around Local Routes 1-9. ADA Service is also provided in any area completely surrounded by Local Routes in Lake County that is not ¾ of a mile from a route, for example Lost Nation Road. This distance is the federally mandated standard of measurement for transit systems in determining paratransit eligibility.

ADA Service will pick you up at home (or another origin) and drop you off at and destination within the ADA service area. For door-to-door service outside the ADA service area, you must request Dial-a-Ride service.

Advanced reservations are requested 1-12 business days in advance of your trip, but next day service is available for ADA trips within the ADA service area. You can make reservations online using Request-a-Ride or by calling Laketran’s Customer Service Center at 440-354-6100 or toll-free 1-888-525-3872. Please have the complete address of your destinations and any important information needed to schedule your reservation prior to calling Customer Service. For medical appointments, please have your doctor’s name, office address, room/building number, and phone number to provide when booking your ADA trip.

Who is eligible for ADA Service?

If you have a disability that prevents you from riding Laketran’s in-county Local Routes, complementary ADA Service is available to assist you with your public transportation needs. ADA law requires that transit agencies strictly limit eligibility for paratransit ADA service to those that qualify based on the definition found in the ADA. Laketran’s ADA Service eligibility is not based solely on the presence of a disability, but also on the functional ability of each applicant with regard to riding the Local Routes independently. You can see a full list of eligibility requirements reviewing Laketran’s ADA Service Eligibility Process.

ADA Certification

To apply for Laketran’s ADA Service, download Laketran’s ADA Service Application or request a printed application by contacting Dale Wiechelman at 440-350-1067 or outreach@laketran.com. All applications must be signed by a licensed healthcare professional, such as an MD, PA, NP, PT, OT, caseworker, or social worker, who is familiar with the applicant’s functional abilities. Citizens completing a Laketran ADA application may have to complete a medical and functional evaluation to determine eligibility, too. Laketran determines whether or not an individual is eligible for paratransit ADA Service. For appeals regarding Laketran’s ADA Service eligibility determinations, see our ADA Appeals Process.

ADA Re-Certification

ADA Service certification is valid for up to two years. Laketran suggests applying for re-certification a minimum of two months prior to expiration of your ADA Service certification. For re-certification, customers must complete an ADA Service Application and may be required to complete a medical or functional evaluation to determine eligibility.

Benefits to ADA Certification

Eligible for next day paratransit service to destinations within the ADA service area.
A Personal Care Assistant may accompany an ADA Certified person at no cost on trips within the ADA service area.
Eligibility may be unconditional or temporary.
When traveling to other cities, your ADA certification must be recognized and honored for up to 21 days of service in that community.

ADA Service Hours

Monday-Friday: 4:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

First daily pick-up window is 4:30 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. Last daily pick-up window is 8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

First Saturday pick-up window is 7:30 a.m. – 8:00am. Last Saturday pick-up window is 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

To Cancel an ADA Reservation

To cancel a reservation, you must call Laketran at least 2 hours prior to the beginning of your pick-up window. Call the Cancellation Line at 440-350-1099 or toll free at 1-888-585-3872. If you book your trip with Request-a-Ride, you can also cancel your trip through your online account.

ADA No-Show Policy

Laketran understands that because ADA service requires advanced reservations, riders may sometimes miss scheduled rides or forget to cancel reservations they no longer need. Laketran also understands that riders may sometimes miss scheduled trips or be unable to cancel trips in a timely way for reasons that are beyond their control. However, repeatedly missing scheduled trips or failing to cancel trips in a timely manner may lead to suspension of service. Download Laketran No-Show Policy for more information.

ADA Visitor Policy

ADA eligibility benefits travel with you. If you are visiting Lake County and have received ADA certification from another transit or public agency, Laketran will honor your eligibility while you are staying in Lake County. If Laketran has certified you as ADA eligible and you are traveling, Laketran will assist you in getting temporary eligibility where ever you are traveling within the United States. Download the ADA Visitor Policy for more information.

Service Animal Policy

ADA regulations require that Laketran allow service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in vehicles and facilities. Download the Service Animal Policy for more information.

Holiday Notice

Laketran is closed on Sundays and some federally observed holidays including: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Helpful Resources

History of Laketran’s ADA Service

Laketran has a remarkable reputation locally and nationally for providing service to citizens with disabilities above and beyond what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In 1986, when Laketran merged with Special Transportation Services (STS), it did not establish limitations on which citizens would have access to the service. This was a visionary decision long before the ADA was enacted into law. Today, this open access remains but the ADA has allowed all public transportation services to become more accessible encouraging the use of Local Route and Park-n-Ride service. All Laketran services are 100% ADA-accessible, but if you need additional assistance please let us know how we can help by calling our Customer Outreach Specialist at 440-350-1067.

Celebrating 25 Years of the ADA

To celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the ADA, Laketran wanted to recognize the agencies in our community that go above and beyond in providing services for people with disabilities; and in addition, wanted to highlight some of success stories of those individuals whose lives have been affected by the ADA.

Laketran teamed up with The News-Herald to create a special section published on Sunday July 26, 2015 — the actual 25^thanniversary of the date the legislation was signed. The 16 page spread, titled “Access to Opportunity,” was compiled of articles from over 10 agencies in Lake and Geauga Counties.