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City Utilities’ Transit offers Access Express as a origin-to-destination transportation service for certified riders who are unable to use the regular fixed-route bus due to a disability or health condition. In order to utilize this service, riders must be pre-approved.
Whether you use Access Express or our regular fixed-route bus system, we hope that you will find the information in these pages useful for making your trip planning easier.
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Transit Overview >
Access Express
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- General Information
City Utilities operates a Paratransit Service to serve the disabled who are unable to ride a regular route bus. Our specially-designed vehicles equipped with lifts are used to transport passengers to their destination within the designated service area.
Access Express is a service that is operated on a demand-responsive, origin-to-destination basis - the basic mode being curb-to-curb service. Reservations may be made next-day up to seven days in advance.
- Operating Hours
The Paratransit Service (Access Express) is available during the same operating hours as our regular route service. The service operates Monday through Saturday between the hours of 6 am and 11 pm, and on Sunday from 7 am to 11 pm, with the exception of the six major holidays. Service hours on holidays are from 8 am until 6 pm.
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- Origin-To-Destination
While complementary paratransit service for ADA paratransit eligible persons shall be origin-to-destination service - the basic mode of Access Express is curb-to-curb. It is the responsibility of the rider to make proper arrangements for assistance beyond these points.
- Eligibility Requirements
Service eligibility is dependent upon the individual's inability to use the regular fixed-route buses. All riders must complete an application for certification for paratransit eligibility. Some individuals may be eligible for Access Express on a conditional basis and will ride both fixed-route and Access Express on a trip-by-trip basis.
Each application is reviewed by an advisory committee for eligibility determination. Approval of the application and notification to the applicant by mail takes approximately 21 days.
- Registration Card
Upon determination of eligibility, each applicant shall be issued a certification card with his or her name and identification number. This card is proof that the holder is a certified Access Express rider.
- Reservations
(417) 831-8782
Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be made by Transit Services office personnel. Bus operators are not allowed to take or cancel reservations.
Our Transit Office can take reservations from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday, and on weekends from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and may be made up to seven days in advance.
When making a reservation, please give the following information to the dispatcher:
- Applicant name
Date of ride
Time of ride
Pick-up address
Destination address
Return trip time
Appointment time, if necessary
Name of doctor or clinic, if making a MO HealthNet (Medicaid) reservation
- Fare Information
The fare for this service is $2.20 per one-way rider. Discounted bus passes are available as follows:
- 30 Rides - $50.00
- 60 Rides - $84.00
Effective October 1, 2009:
- One way fare - $2.50
- 30 Rides - $54.00
- 60 Rides - $90.00
- Where To Buy Paratransit Bus Passes
- City Utilities Main Office: 301 E. Central
- Transit Services: 1505 N. Boonville
- To purchase passes by mail, send check or money order, payable to City Utilities (no cash please) to:
City Utilities Transit Services
1505 N. Boonville
Springfield, MO 65803
Please include name, address, and category of pass requested. Passes and ticket books are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and/or Companion
Persons who cannot travel independently must be accompanied by a personal care attendant. The attendant, if required, will not be charged for the ride. If space is available, a companion may accompany you at the regular Access Express fare per ride.
- Required Waiting Time
If the bus has not arrived within ten minutes after the scheduled time, call the Transit Services office to verify the reservation. You are required to be available for pick-up 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment. The drivers have a 20-minute window of time to arrive at their destinations. The driver is not allowed to wait longer than three minutes after their arrival time. If the rider fails to appear, the driver will be instructed to proceed to the next pick-up point. There will be a $10 no-show fee charged to the rider.
- Service Area
Reservations may be made within a defined service area of Springfield, including an area within three-quarters of a mile from any regular City Utilities bus route. City Utilities is currently providing service within the city limits of Springfield.
- MO HealthNet (Medicaid) Recipients
For our MO HealthNet riders who are eligible for transportation services, we provide rides for "non-emergency medical trips" free of charge. If you are eligible for MO HealthNet transportation benefits, please tell the dispatcher when making your ride reservation on Access Express.
- No-Shows & Cancellations
Cancellations should be made 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up time to allow others the opportunity to schedule.
Cancellations made less than one hour before the scheduled pick-up are considered a "no-show." All "no-shows" will be billed $10 for the missed trip. Payment must be received before the individual will be allowed to ride again.
It is your responsibility to cancel your trips. If we do not hear from you within an hour of your "no-show," any ride scheduled later that day will be cancelled.
A pattern of late cancellations and/or "no-shows" could result in suspension of service on Access Express.
- Appeals Process
If Paratransit service has been denied or suspended, you may choose to appeal the decision. The following information is available to learn more about the appeals process:
- Phone Numbers
Reservations: (417) 831-8782
Fax: (417) 831-8803
Bus schedules are available in Braille, large print and Spanish, in addition to the printed schedules. Access Express applications and policies and procedures are available in Spanish. Contact Transit Services at (417) 831-8782 for more information.
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