| Linn County LIFTS provides accessible door-todoor public transportation services for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and the general public throughout non-metropolitan areas of Linn County. LIFTS also provides ADA (Americans with Disablities Act) "complimentary paratransit services" under contract with the City of Cedar Rapids through CR Transit (the city bus system) for the metropolitan area af Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha.
WHAT IS AN ADA RIDER?
Cities that have regular, "fixed route" buses are required by the ADA to provide complimentary transportation within 3/4 of a mile of all bus routes to people with disabilites who are ADA eligible. In our area, ADA paratransit services cover nearly all of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha.
HOW DO I BECOME CERTIFIED AS "ELIGIBLE"
In order to be ADA eligible to ride LIFTS, your doctor must certify that you have a disability that prevents you from riding the fixed route bus (the city bus). This short form is available on this site, (see next listing), at this link to CRTransit http://www.cedarrapids.org/residentresources/Transit/Pages/default.aspx or by calling 892-5170. If you need help filling out the form, we will be pleased to arrange for assistance. When CR Transit receives your completed form, they will verify the data, and make a determination on you eligibility.
IF I AM NOT ADA ELIGIBLE, CAN I STILL RIDE LIFTS?
Any rider otherwise needing transportation, but not ADA eligible can still receive rides, they just will not have scheduling priority. ALL non metropolitan riders (County) are eligible for this public transportation, regardless of ADA eligibility or disability.
WHEN CAN I GET A RIDE FROM LIFTS?
You can get a ride from LIFTS between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays.
HOW DO I RESERVE A RIDE?
There are two ways to schedule a ride:
1. Call and make a reservation for each and every ride.
2. Make a standing "reservation" to the same location on the same day of the week and the same time of the day. There are certain restrictions on standing reservations. If there are too many standing reservations at any one time, you may be asked to schedule rides each time for a while.
Reservations are taken be phone at 319-892-5170 (extension 2 for dispatch) at any time. Our office is staffed between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The dispatcher is very busy, so please be patient, or leave a message if you wish. Your message will be followed through with as soon as possible.
Rides can be scheduled up to seven days before the trip. ADA Riders can reserve "next-day rides", by calling to schedule the ride on the day before your trip. (We request that you make your reservation as soon as possible, preferably before 2:30 pm, so that we may print accurate schedules for the next day.)
NOTE: To get the best service, if you know the date and time of your trip, call as soon as you can within the seven day window.
CAN LIFTS NEGOTIATE THE PICK UP TIME?
Yes, scheduling your ride for an exact time can be challenging. For ADA Riders, LIFTS can negotiate within one hour before or after your requested time (the two -hour window). LIFTS tracks denied rides. These are rides that they cannot accommodate within the two hour window.
HOW DO I CANCEL A RIDE?
To cancel a scheduled ride, please call LIFTS at 319-892-5170 extension 2. If you need to cancel, please call as soon as possible to allow other riders to take your time slot for a ride. NOTE: If you miss your ride and have not called in, you may be charged for the ride. If you repeatedly NO-CALL, NO- SHOW, you may be banned from using LIFTS.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER THINGS I NEED TO KNOW?
Your pick up time is estimated. You should be ready and waiting 15 minutes before your pick up time, and wait for your ride until 15 minutes after your pick up time. Pick up times vary due to traffic, road conditions, and the loading and unloading of passengers before you. The bus will wait 5 minutes for you, then will leave to pick up the next person. YOU MUST BE READY ON TIME!
The drivers are not personal assistants. They are not able to shovel snow, get you ready, or carry packages.
HOW DO I COMMENT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM?
Linn County LIFTS wants to provide the best transportaion services possible and you are invited to let them know how they are doing. Your feedback about all aspects of LIFTS' operation is appreciated. The director of LIFTS will review, investigate, and respond to each comment.
Director- Tom Hardecopf
Linn County LIFTS
625 31st Ave SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
319-892-5170 ext 4
email tom.hardecopf@linncounty.org
internet (print and mail) http://www.co.linn.ia.us/faq.asp?PM=details&Page Id=406&FAQ Id=916&Content Id=1416
Note, You can also use this method to provide compliments about LIFTS personnel, they are welcome.
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