Handy Bus

Table of Contents

• The Handy Bus System
• Handy Bus Services
• Transportation Disadvantaged
• Handy Bus Rules of the Road
• Getting There On Time
• Companions
• Scheduled Returns
• Cancelled Trips
• No Shows
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• ADA Certification
• ADA Transportation FAQs and Application
• Scheduling an ADA Trip on the Handy Bus
• Emergency Evacuations
• Contact/Scheduling Information
• Veterans Transportation
• TD/ADA Complaints

The Handy Bus System

The Handy Bus provides origin to destination service for those individuals who, because of a disability or other reason are transportation disadvantaged (dependent on others for transportation) and therefore are unable to access the fixed route system.

You must be able to provide your own needs during transportation or have a personal care attendant accompany you. Carry-on packages are welcome. To ensure room for other riders and for your safety, please limit packages to what you and your companions can carry. The driver may assist you in loading/unloading your packages on/off the bus, limited to one trip to the door.

You must also be able to make your own way to your destination from the curb outside. The driver will assist you on the bus, secure you in a safe and comfortable manner and help you get off the bus. You may ride from any origin/destination in the Manatee County service area if a vehicle and space are available for the time you request. It is our goal to provide the greatest number of riders with on-time efficient service. Hence, we are not able to honor requests for special services such as a particular driver or vehicle, a specific seat on the bus, a specific route, to be with certain other riders, a specific order of pick-up or drop-off, a change in destination, etc. 

Handy Bus Services

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD)

Reservation-based origin to destination service for eligible riders within Manatee County, Monday - Friday.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

"Complementary Paratransit" services provided for ADA eligible individuals by the MCAT Handy Bus. Reservation based ADA service operates in conjunction with all fixed route services during normal hours of operation: Local Fixed Route Bus, Monday - Saturday, 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Anna Maria Island Trolley, Daily 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Longboat Key Trolley, Daily, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Beach Express, Sundays/Holidays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The origin and destination of the trip must be within 3/4 of a mile of the fixed route MCAT bus service for the requested trip. ADA clients must be assessed for eligibility.

Veteran's Transportation

MCAT registered veterans can be scheduled for transit Monday - Friday to VA facilities such as Bay Pines and James Haley Center. Certain restrictions apply. Contact MCAT for more information.

Dialysis Transportation

Kidney Dialysis Treatment patients are given priority for scheduling transportation.

Subscription Service Transportation

“Subscription Service Trips” are classified as “regularly” scheduled groups of five or more clients being transported to a common destination at the same time, “Centralized Group Trips” are four or more clients being transported from/to a common origin/destination. All services are scheduled through agencies and support coordinators only.

Transportation Disadvantaged

To ride the Handy Bus you must be registered with MCAT.
Apply: 941 747 1739, Monday – Friday, 2 p.m.– 4 p.m.
Reservation-based origin to destination service for
eligible riders within Manatee County, Monday – Friday. 

Note: Medical professional documentation regarding disability will be required.

Have this information ready when you register:

1.  Client's full name;

2.  Address and telephone number;

3.  Social Security Number;

4.  Date of birth;

5.  Disability/circumstances that prevent or limit use of fixed-route system

6.  Accompanying attendant/companion must be registered;

7.  Special needs

Scheduling Handy Bus Trips

Call 941 748 2317, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Reservations may be made up to two weeks in advance, but a minimum of two business days in advance of your desired appointment day is required. Space is based on first-come, first-served and availability for service Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. excluding major county holidays. If the time requested is not available, MCAT will offer alternative days and/or times available. Fare is $2.00 each one-way trip - exact change required. Please note: when you call to schedule a trip, you may not request a specific reservation staff member.

When making your reservation, please be ready to provide:

1.  Your name and date of trip;

2.  The time you want to be picked up and appointment time;

3.  Your pick-up address and phone number;

4.  Destination name, address and phone number;

5.  Whether you use a wheelchair or other mobility device;

6.  Whether a personal care attendant/companion will accompany you.

7.  The time you need to be returned.

Handy Bus Rules of the Road

• Please be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time - the bus may arrive early.

• If the bus has not arrived 15 minutes after the scheduled time, please call MCAT Handy Bus at 941 748 1135.

• The bus will park as close to the curb in front of your pick-up point as possible.

• Once the driver has arrived at the scheduled pick-up and if the customer has failed to be prepared to board the vehicle within 5 minutes, the driver will contact MCAT supervision for further instructions. The client may be considered a "no-show."

• The driver is required to collect all fares prior to starting your trip. Please have exact change ready.

• For safety, passengers in a wheelchair will have their seat belt and shoulder strap fastened, securing the wheelchair.

• Three-wheeled mobility device users and other mobility device users whose manufacturers advise that it is unsafe to stay seated in your device while riding in public transit:  so that you can be safely secured, the driver will ask you to transfer to a seat in the bus. MCAT is not responsible for injuries due to unsafe seating.

• No same day changes on trips scheduled.

• For comfort, safety and cleanliness, no eating, drinking (certain restrictions apply), chewing tobacco or smoking are permitted in the bus.

• The driver is not authorized to make unscheduled stops or wait while a rider performs an errand.

• Please cooperate with the driver if you are asked to move temporarily to load or unload other passengers.

• Drivers are not allowed inside the residence.

• Riders may not refuse to ride with another passenger on the bus.

• Riders may not operate any audio/visual equipment that may infringe on other rider's comfort and safety or impair the driver's ability to transport riders safely, such as: boom boxes, portable video games using audible sound effects, loud talking on cell phone, etc.

• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  

   

Getting There On Time

You may share a bus with other riders, potentially picking-up/dropping-off riders before your destination. To ensure you arrive on-time, plan to travel time - up to an hour. Example: to arrive by 10 a.m., schedule your pick-up for 9 a.m. Additionally, delays may occur due to traffic or bad weather. Please, no changes on the scheduled travel day.

Companions

• Companions are welcome to travel with qualified riders at the regular fare on a space available basis. Please, limit companions to one person per trip. 

• Accompanying children are considered traveling companions. Under 6 years of age the fare is $1.00. Over 6 years of age regular fare: $2.00.

• When making a reservation, indicate you are traveling with a companion. Companions must travel the same itinerary as the qualified rider.

• Personal care attendants (someone specifically designated to care for your personal needs with prior approval) may travel with a qualified rider at no charge.

• Guide dogs/service animals are welcomed. When making a reservation, indicate an accompanying service animal.

Scheduled Returns

You must give Handy Bus a scheduled return time when scheduling your trips. Please be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time -- the bus may arrive early.

Cancelled Trips

It is very important that you call to cancel a Handy Bus trip as soon as possible, and no later than two (2) hours before the trip to prevent a vehicle from being assigned to pick you up. To cancel a Handy Bus trip, please call 941 748 2317 (before 8 a.m., 941 748 1135). If you cancel for same day service you cannot be added back on that day's schedule. Failure to give MCAT notice that you will not be able to take a scheduled trip constitutes misuse of the service. MCAT reserves the right to deny service for a reasonable period of time to riders who show a pattern of cancellations.

No Shows

Failure to give MCAT Handy Bus a minimum of two (2) hours notice that you will not be able to take a scheduled trip prior to the driver arriving, is considered a “no-show.” A customer who has three (3) or more no shows within a 30-day period will be notified of their violation regarding the policy verbally and in writing.  MCAT reserves the right to deny service for a reasonable length of time to riders who show a pattern of policy violations.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities that are like those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

The ADA requires that Transit agencies provide "complementary paratransit" (Handy Bus) services to individuals who, due to their disability, are not capable of using fixed-route bus services. Eligibility for complementary paratransit services (ADA Handy Bus) is based upon the nature of the individual's disability and the origin and destination of the request trip.

Once you are determined ADA eligible, the origin and destination of the trip itself must be within a 3/4 mile distance from a fixed-route to be an eligible trip. You and the trip must be eligible before ADA Handy Bus service is provided. (see MCAT System Map under Bus and Trolley Schedules)

ADA clients must be assessed for eligibility.

ADA Certification

ADA riders must be screened for eligibility, and will require documentation from a medical professional as well as an in person assessment to determine if the disability prevents the rider from using the MCAT Fixed Route System. If you are approved for ADA Handy Bus Service, you will receive an approval letter along with an ADA ID Card. This card can be shown to other transit agencies identifying you as ADA Eligible. For information and to be screened for eligibility, please call 941 747 8621 Ext. 7635. 

Scheduling an ADA Trip on the Handy Bus

You may schedule an ADA trip on the Handy Bus by calling the Handy Bus reservation line, 941 748 2317. Guide dogs/services animals, companions or personal care attendants: please review the section "Companions" above.

• ADA scheduling is between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

• Maximum reservation lead-time: 2 weeks before;

• Minimum reservation lead-time: 1 day before;

• ADA trip origin/destination must be within 3/4 mile of fixed-route service;

• Allow a 2 hour scheduling window - your actual pick-up time could be 1 hour before or 1 hour after your requested pick-up time;

• No same day changes once you have booked multiple appointments;.

Note: Times may vary due to road and traffic conditions.

Visiting ADA eligible riders with valid documentation may use the MCAT ADA Handy Bus service for up to twenty-one (21) days in any 365 day period.

Emergency Evacuations

In the event of  weather or other emergencies, regular transit service may stop to allow for evacuations or to take citizens with special needs* to shelters. If you will need evacuation assistance prior to a hurricane, complete the Manatee County Emergency Management Division Assisted Care Questionnaire Form (obtain by calling EOC at 941 748 4501). In the event of a hurricane the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated. A Manatee County Government Employee will call you - tell them you do or do not need transportation to a shelter. If you do, MCAT will provide transportation - be packed and ready to go. MCAT will call you to verify your request for transportation and identify the approximate pick-up time either by bus or ambulance and transport to the shelter and return when appropriate.

*Special needs shelters serve those individuals who need electricity for oxygen, hands-on medical help or would be in jeopardy without help for a lengthy period of time. Individuals who feel they qualify for the special needs designation should fill out the Manatee County Emergency Management Division Assisted Care Questionnaire and submit it for review. Approved individuals will be notified. Update you emergency information at 941 748 4501 - ask for "Emergency Management."

Contact/Scheduling Information

Veterans Transportation

TD/ADA Complaints

Manatee County Area Transit makes every effort to meet the transportation needs of its customers. On occasion, problems arise and customers feel the need to tell us. We appreciate hearing about service issues and will do our best to correct any situations. Feel free to contact the MCAT Paratransit Coordinator at 941 747 8621 ext. 3567 to bring any service issues to MCAT's attention. Transportation Disadvantage customers may also contact the State of Florida Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged Ombudsman Hotline at 800 983 2435. ADA customers may address service issues with the U.S. Department of Justice at 800 514 0301 (TTY 800 514 0383).