Metro Bus approves changes to Dial-a-Ride service

Recently, the Metro Bus Board of Commissioners approved changes to Dial-a-Ride services to increase capacity for people with disabilities.
Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride is a shared ride service that requires advanced reservations. Starting Oct. 15, this service will only be available to individuals who require specialized service. It will no longer operate as late-night service for the general public.
“We are reallocating late-night general-public service hours to the daytime, when demand for our specialized service is greater,” said Tony Kellen, Metro Bus director of operations and technology. “Metro Bus is required by federal law under the Americans with Disabilities Act to meet rider trip requests that do not result in excessive trip denials. Our current daytime capacity does not sufficiently meet trip requests, thus the need to shift service hours to do so.”
“Specialized Service” is a door-to-door, driver-assisted service for individuals whose disabilities prevent them from being able to ride the fixed-route service. Eligibility is determined through an application process that may require both a physical and cognitive assessment.
Metro Bus will continue to operate Specialized Service Dial-a-Ride within three-fourths of a mile from any fixed route at comparable times seven days a week. In addition, it will continue to provide service to the number-10 Westwood and number-12 Route 75 areas Monday-Friday after the fixed-route service in those areas ends, but no later than 9 p.m. It will also provide service to both those areas Saturday and Sunday during the times when fixed-route services are generally available.
For more information about Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride, call 251.1010 or visit ridemetrobus.com.
St. Cloud Metro Bus operates seven days a week and provides more than 2.4 million fixed-route and Dial-a-Ride passenger trips annually in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. For more information about St. Cloud Metro Bus, visit ridemetrobus.com.