"TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 74: Policies and Practices for Effectively and Efficiently Meeting ADA Paratransit Demand highlights policies and practices that transit agencies may be able to apply to their own paratransit services, often without the need to devote significant funds, personnel, or other resources. The report also examines certain practices and technologies that are still under development or have not undergone extensive testing"--Publisher's description.

Background -- Section 1. Planning Decision Process -- Section 2. Operations Decision Process -- Section 3. Lessons Learned.

"The ADA, a civil rights law enacted in 1990, provided that it shall be considered discrimination for a public entity that operates a fixed-route transit system to fail to offer paratransit service to disabled individuals that is comparable to services provided to those without disabilities. FTA is responsible for overseeing compliance with ADA requirements for paratransit services. As requested, GAO examined: (1) the extent of compliance with ADA paratransit requirements, (2) changes in ADA paratransit demand and costs since 2007, and (3) actions transit agencies are taking to help address changes in the demand for and costs of ADA paratransit service. GAO analyzed FTA's ADA compliance reports; conducted a generalizable web-based survey of 145 transit agencies; interviewed federal officials; and interviewed officials from 20 transit agencies, chosen based on a variety of characteristics, including geographic diversity."

This synthesis documents current and innovative practices of U.S. transit agencies in the development and implementation of passenger no-show and late cancellation policies for paratransit programs operated under the regulatory requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). It describes how some policies are administered, the community response, and their effectiveness in small, medium, and large transit agencies surveyed. It examines policies both as a way to improve system productivity, efficiency, and capacity, and as a means to better serve riders with disabilities who may experience difficulties with the advance reservation aspect of most ADA complementary paratransit operations. This topic is of interest to transit agencies that are responsible for providing ADA complementary paratransit that is efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to customer needs. It is also of interest to the disability community and other stakeholders who are concerned about having access to transportation services that are efficient, cost-effective, and appropriate for customer needs.

This report provides a sketch planning model and regional models to (1) improve the ability of metropolitan planning organizations and transit operators to estimate the probable future demand for Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) complementary paratransit service; and (2) predict travel by ADA paratransit-eligible individuals on all modes, not just ADA paratransit. All model parameters and coefficients are contained in this report and a fully implemented version is available on the enclosed CD-ROM, CRP-CD-121. This report will be of interest to regional, state, and federal agencies that oversee, plan, or finance public transportation; public transportation systems that provide ADA complementary paratransit services; and advocates for people with disabilities.