DATA - Durham Area Transit Authority


Adopt-a-Stop


DATA Administration Facility

1907 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
P: (919) 485-RIDE
F: (919) 560-1534

DATA ACCESS Administration

1911 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
P: (919) 560-1551

DATA bus

ACCESS Paratransit

What is ADA?

ACCESS paratransit drivers

ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed into law in 1990, the ADA is federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in a range of categories, including transportation.

The ADA law mandated that improvements be made to public transit systems to make them accessible to persons with disabilities. Interestingly, many of these improvements make public transit easier for everyone to use. ADA mandates that all new buses used for regular fixed-route services must have a lift or ramp to allow boarding by those passengers who cannot enter by the steps or have difficulty entering by the steps.

The ADA law also mandated that public transit systems provide ADA paratransit service for those persons whose disabilities prevent them from using accessible fixed-route transit. This does not include disabilities that make use of fixed-route service difficult or inconvenient. The specific criteria for determining who is eligible for ADA paratransit are defined by ADA law.

About DATA ACCESS

DATA ACCESS is the name of the ADA paratransit service for the City of Durham. DATA ACCESS is sponsored by the Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA). Only riders who meet the criteria specified by the ADA and who have been certified as eligible can use DATA ACCESS. Persons do not qualify automatically just because they have a disability or on the basis of age. Eligibility is based on a person's functional limitations.

DATA ACCESS provides curb-to-curb transportation service for eligible riders. DATA ACCESS operates service to all locations within the City of Durham and to any location outside the City that is three-quarters of a mile of any fixed-route service operated by DATA. DATA ACCESS provides service during the same hours and on the same days as the regular fixed-route service. For more information about DATA ACCESS service please call (919) 560-1551, ext 303.

DATA ACCESS fare is $2 each way or you can purchase discounted ticket books at the ACCESS office located at 1911 Fay Street, Durham, NC 27704.

If you live outside of the DATA ACCESS service area and believe that your disability would qualify you for DATA ACCESS, you may still apply for the service. If you are certified as eligible, however, DATA ACCESS would not be able to pick you up at your residence; you would need to come to a location that is within the DATA ACCESS service area.

Taxi Cab Program

The DATA ACCESS taxicab program provides ACCESS customers greater freedom and mobility. This program offers ACCESS customers the option of using taxicab service for their transportation needs at a cost of half the regular taxicab fare. ACCESS customers can call for taxicab service during ACCESS operation hours and have that service provided shortly thereafter instead the 24 hours waiting period required by ACCESS. Taxi cab coupons may only be used during ACCESS operation hours. The taxicab program does not allow ACCESS customers to travel outside the DATA ACCESS service area.

How to Apply

If you think that you or someone you know is eligible for the DATA ACCESS service, you can download an ACCESS Application or call (919) 560-1551, ext 303 to receive an application by mail. A doctor or registered health care provider must complete part of the application form before it is returned to ACCESS. The application forms are then reviewed and processed by an ADA Specialist. Faxed applications will not be accepted. If you have received a notice that you are required to be recertified you may download the Recertification Application.

Once ACCESS receives a completed application form, we will contact you to schedule a date and time for the required in-person assessment. You will need to come to one of our assessment sites where a licensed therapist will evaluate your functional abilities related to use of public transit, including, for example, your ability to walk or travel a measured distance. If you use a mobility aid, you must bring it to the assessment. If transportation to and from the assessment is needed, it can be provided and scheduled when the assessment appointment is scheduled.

The complete review process takes up to 21 days. Notification regarding your eligibility will be sent through the mail.

If you still have questions or if you need this information in alternative formats, please call the DATA ACCESS Office at (919) 560-1551, ext 303.

For More Information

Call or write:
DATA ACCESS Office
1911 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
P: (919) 560-1551

Hours of operation

Monday-Saturday
5:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Sundays and Holidays
6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

ACCESS Ticket Sales

Tickets can be purchased in person or by mail
DATA ACCESS Office
1911 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
P: (919) 560-1551

ACCESS Fares

Cash Fare: $2 one-way
Ticket booklet: 10 tickets $17
Taxi Cab Coupons: $25 ($51 value)