Paratransit, sometimes known as dial-a-ride, is an alternative, specialized transportation service that does not follow fixed routes or schedules.

— Service is provided for people with disabilities who are legally entitled to paratransit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are not able to ride fixed-route public transportation.

— Typically vans or mini-buses are used, and the cost to riders is generally cheaper than taking a taxi or cab.

— Paratransit services are operated by public transit agencies, community groups or not-for-profit corporations, and for-profit private companies or operators.

Paratransit Projects

Transit Solution and Funding in Two Rural Georgia Counties

DCUTS Video

In the mid-1990s in the rural, south Georgia counties of Dooly and Crisp, elderly residents could not make doctor appointments without the assistance of family members and many welfare recipients needed to work, as required by Georgia law, but didn’t own cars.

Considering that these situations are only examples of problems many of the elderly and low-income residents were experiencing, community leaders realized some kind of public transportation was needed.

Ryan Kelly worked with the transportation advisory committee to create the Dooly-Crisp Transportation System (DCUTS) Corporation. Ryan implemented the program and oversaw the initial operations with Steven Dorough, executive director.

Ryan also wrote the grant proposals to request and provide start-up funding for the transit agency to begin operation. Funding was received through the Rural Business Enterprise Grants program, which is is used to support the development of small emerging private business enterprises in rural areas.

DCUTS started in the fall of 1999 with a fleet of two, wheelchair accesible vans.

For the full DCUTS story, read this article on the USDA Rural Development site.