PARATRANSIT SERVICE (The LIFT)

The LIFT Program is Erie County’s safe, reliable, customer-friendly, shared-ride, advanced-request transportation system. Its goal is to provide all of your transportation needs. This service is is designed for residents of Erie County who are unable to utilize bus services and consists of several different programs to subsidize the cost of transportation.

In order to qualify for the LIFT, there is an application process. Below are all the programs an individual may receive funding for in order to qualify for LIFT services.

Download a copy of the EMTA LIFT Paratransit Policies & Procedures Manual. Physical copies are also available upon request.

*Please note only information that is currently published on active EMTA webpages applies for LIFT service

PROGRAMS

The different programs offered for LIFT funding include the Senior Citizen Program, Rural Transportation Program, MATP and ADA.

Senior Citizen Program

If you are 65 or over and cannot independently utilize fixed route service and/or live further than 1/4 away from a bus route, you qualify to ride the LIFT. Under this program, you ride for free to doctor’s appointments and the nearest GECAC senior center. Other trips will range in price from $2.25-6.75 based upon distanced traveled. The is a door-to-door, advance reservation service.

For application click here.

Rural Transportation Program For Persons With Disabilities

To better serve people with disabilities who either live in the rural area or need transportation to the rural area, the “e“/LIFT is providing discounted shared ride services for eligible residents of Erie County. The program is the Rural Transportation Program for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). You are eligible for this program if you are a resident of Erie county, under 65 years of age, and have a disability that is defined by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Trips will range from $3.30-$6.75 based up distance traveled.

For application click here.

Medical Assistance Transportation Program

If you or anyone in your family is a medical assistance recipient, you may be able to get help with transportation you need to get to and from medical providers. The Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) provides rides to medical care at no cost to you. You can also get mileage reimbursement if you use your own car or find someone willing to give you a ride. This funding will only reimburse for trips covered by Medical Assistance. For more information call (814) 455-3330.

For application click here.

Verification of Disability or Special Needs by medical provider here. 

Customer With Disabilities

EMTA provides door-to-door paratransit service for people who are unable to independently ride the fixed route buses due to their disability.

In many circumstances, getting to a bus stop is possible for persons with disabilities. If an impairment-related condition only makes the job of accessing transit more difficult than it might otherwise be, but does not prevent the travel, then the person is not eligible.

ADA customers ride during any hours/days that an EMTA fixed route operates as long as the origin to destination is within ¾ of the specific route. The one-way fare for ADA is double the EMTA standard fare.

In order to qualify for ADA using the EMTA paratransit vehicles, all customers must complete the application process.

Visitors to the area who, because of their disabilities, are unable to use the accessible fixed route service are eligible to use the e-Lift service for 21 days in a rolling 365 day period. To apply for visitor’s status, please have your current paratransit provider mail, fax, or email verification to our office.

Trips for this funding are $3.30 per one-way trip.

For application click here.

For additional EMTA ADA information click here.

Verifying Your Condition

The following professionals are able to verify your condition:

  • Chiropractor
  • Physician
  • Physician assistant
  • Registered Nurse
  • Registered Occupational Therapist
  • Registered Physical Therapist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Speech Pathologist
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Licensed Psychologist
  • Licensed Social Worker
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Orientation/Mobility Specialist

SCHEDULING YOUR RIDE

In order to be covered under any type of funding, rides must be scheduled at least one day prior. The Scheduling Office is open Sunday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, the scheduling line is only accepting reservations for the following day. The shared ride scheduling line is 814-456-2299.

Upon reservation, please have the following information ready:

  • Name
  • Desired Arrival Time at Destination
  • Pick-up Address
  • Destination Address
  • Return Trip Time (if needed)
  • Assistance by Personal Care Attendant

Organizations, care takers, aids, etc… representing riders or the riders themselves must call to schedule trips. Email reservations will not be accepted.

*Exceptions are available upon review by the MATP Coordinator, Diane Farrell at dfarrell@ride-the-e.com or 814.459.8922 ext. 245.

The LIFT has specific times that we provide service in the county due to demand. Please reference the times below for time slots while scheduling your ride to the county.

LIFT County Times

EMTA & the LIFT do not operate on Sundays.

NO SERVICE on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

POLICIES

Personal Care Attendant

You may require the assistance of a personal care attendant to meet your mobility needs. Your attendant will ride free of charge only if you are certified in advance to travel with an attendant.

Cancellations & No Shows

We understand when sometimes circumstances occur that prevent you from using your trip. Please call and cancel your trip at least one hour before your scheduled pickup. If you fail to call/cancel and do not take your trip as scheduled, it may be necessary for EMTA LIFT to assign you a no show.

View EMTA No-Show Policy HERE

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome on our vehicles.

Shopping

If you use LIFT for shopping trips, you are permitted to bring aboard as many bags as you can carry on your own in one trip that does not require the use of additional seating space in the vehicle.

OTHER SERVICES

Travel Training

The Travel Training Program is a FREE service for those who want to learn how to travel independently using the fixed-route (the e) or paratransit service (LIFT). We offer training to both groups and individuals.

For the paratransit service (LIFT), learn about the different policies, procedures, and how to make your advance pick-up reservation. Get on board with EMTA and schedule your Travel Training today by calling 814-459-8922!

Monthly Travel Training Classes are available.

Class sizes are limited. You must call to reserve your spot in order to attend.

Applying For Visitor Status

Visitors to the area, who are unable to use the accessible fixed route service because of their disabilities, are eligible to use the e-Lift service for 21 days in a rolling 365 day period. To apply for visitor’s status, please provide paratransit eligibility verification to our office. In order to process your request, we will need to obtain the following information:

  1. Your full name
  2. Your full address and phone number
  3. Your paratransit ID number and expiration date
  4. Documentation of your disability (if it is not apparent)
  5. Type of mobility aid used, if applicable
  6. If you are authorized a Personal Care Assistant (PCA)
  7. If you use a service animal

If you do not have paratransit in your home area, you will need to have your healthcare provider provide a certification of your disability. We will also require you to provide items 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 as stated above. Once we receive the information, we will enter you into our system and mail you an authorization letter with instructions about how to use our service. Alternately, we can email a PDF copy to your home or work email address if supplied. In order to process this information, please alert EMTA within a reasonable amount of time prior to your visit.

For more information, please call 814-455-3330

View EMTA Paratransit Service Definitions HERE