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

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority LIFT passengers now have more flexibility in scheduling and managing their trips thanks to Find My Ride Schedule. Find my Ride is a scheduling initiative, funded by the PennDOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation, this innovative tool is being introduced statewide. EMTA is one of the transportation providers selected by PennDOT to adopt Find My Ride Schedule, offering passengers the convenience of managing trips directly from their smartphone, tablet, or computer.

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.

Full Description MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

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.

The LIFT will be open to schedule on holidays starting immediately.  However, scheduling will be from 8 am until 12 pm only on the holidays.

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
FIND MY RIDE SCHEDULE

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

Notices of Availability Representing Top Fifteen (15) Non-English Languages in Pennsylvania

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, free language assistance services are available to you. Appropriate auxiliary aids and services to provide information in accessible formats are also available free of charge. Call 1-814-456-2299 to speak to your provider.”

Spanish

ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. También están disponibles de forma gratuita ayuda y servicios auxiliares apropiados para proporcionar información en formatos accesibles. Llame al 1-814-456-2299 o hable con su proveedor.

Chinese; Mandarin

注意：如果您说中文，我们将免费为您提供语言协助服务。我们还免费提供适当的辅助工具和服务，以无障碍格式提供信息。致电 1-814-456-2299 或咨询您的服务提供商。”

Nepali

सावधान: यदि तपाईं नेपाली भाषा बोल्नुहुन्छ भने तपाईंका लादि दन:शुल्क भादषक सहायता सेवाहरू उपलब्ध छन्। पहुुँचयोग्य ढाुँचाहरूमा जानकारी प्रिान िनन उपयुक्त सहायता र सेवाहरू पदन दनिः शुल्क उपलब्ध छन्। 1-814-456-2299  मा फोन िनुनहोस् वा आफ्नो प्रिायकसुँि कुरा िनुनहोस्।”

Russian

ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на русский, вам доступны бесплатные услуги

языковой поддержки. Соответствующие вспомогательные средства и услуги по предоставлению информации в доступных форматах также предоставляются бесплатно. Позвоните по телефону 1-814-456-2299 или обратитесь к своему поставщику услуг.

Arabic

تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث اللغة العربية، فستتوفر لك خدمات المساعدة اللغوية المجانية. كما تتوفر وسائل مساعدة وخدمات مناسبة لتوفير المعلومات بتنسيقات يمكن الوصول إليها مجانًا. اتصل على الرقم1-814-456-2299 ( أو تحدث إلى مقدم الخدمة.”

Haitian Creole

ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd aladispozisyon w gratis pou lang ou pale a. Èd ak sèvis siplemantè apwopriye pou bay enfòmasyon nan fòma aksesib yo disponib gratis tou. Rele nan 1-814-456-2299 oswa pale avèk founisè w la.”

Vietnamese

LƯU Ý: Nếu bạn nói tiếng Việt, chúng tôi cung cấp miễn phí các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ.

Các hỗ trợ dịch vụ phù hợp để cung cấp thông tin theo các định dạng dễ tiếp cận cũng được cung cấp miễn phí. Vui lòng gọi theo số 1-814-456-2299 hoặc trao đổi với người cung cấp dịch vụ của bạn.”

Ukrainian

УВАГА: Якщо ви розмовляєте українська мова, вам доступні безкоштовні мовні

послуги. Відповідні допоміжні засоби та послуги для надання інформації у доступних форматах також доступні безкоштовно. Зателефонуйте за номером 1-814-456-2299 або зверніться до свого постачальника».

Chinese; Cantonese

注意：如果您說中文，我們可以為您提供免費語言協助服務。也可以免費提供適當的輔助工具與服務，以無障礙格式提供資訊。請致電1-814-456-2299 或與您的提供者討論。」

Portuguese

ATENÇÃO: Se você fala português do Brasil, serviços gratuitos de assistência linguística estão disponíveis para você. Auxílios e serviços auxiliares apropriados para fornecer informações em formatos acessíveis também estão disponíveis gratuitamente. Ligue para 1-814-456-2299 ou fale com seu provedor.”

Bengali

মন োন োগ দি : দি আপদ বোাংলো বনল তোহনল আপ োর জ য দব োমূনলয ভোষো সহোয়তো পদরনষবোদি উপলব্ধ রনয়নে। অ্যোনেসন োগয ফরমযোনে তথ্য প্রিোন র জ য উপ ুক্ত সহোয়ক সহন োদগতো এবাং পদরনষবোদিও দব োমূনলয উপলব্ধ রনয়নে। 1-814-456-2299 ম্বনর কল করু অ্থ্বো আপ োর প্রিো কোরীর সোনথ্ কথ্ো বলু ।”

French

ATTENTION : Si vous parlez Français, des services d’assistance linguistique gratuits sont à votre disposition. Des aides et services auxiliaires appropriés pour fournir des informations dans des formats accessibles sont également disponibles gratuitement.

Appelez le 1-814-456-2299 ou parlez à votre fournisseur. »

Cambodian

សូមយកចិត្តទុកដាក់៖ ប្រសិនបរើអ្ន កនិយាយ ភាសាខ្មែ រ បសវាកមែជំនួយភាសា ឥត្គិត្ថ្លៃគឺមានសប្មារ់អ្ន ក។ ជំនួយ និងបសវាកមែខ្ែលជាការជួយែ៏សមរមយ កុន ងការផ្តល់ព័ត្៌មានតាមទប្មង់ខ្ែលអាចចូលបប្រើប្ាស់ាន ក៏អាចរកាន

បដាយឥត្គិត្ថ្លៃផ្ងខ្ែរ។ បៅទូរសពទបៅ 1-814-456-2299

ឬនិយាយបៅកាន់អ្ន កផ្តល់បសវាររស់អ្ន ក។”

Korean

주의:한국어를 사용하시는 경우 무료 언어 지원 서비스를 이용하실 수 있습니다. 이용 가능한 형식으로 정보를 제공하는 적절한 보조 기구 및 서비스도 무료로 제공됩니다. 1-814-456-2299 번으로 전화하거나 서비스 제공업체에 문의하십시오.”

Gujarati

ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હો તો મફત ભાષાકીય સહાયતા સેવાઓ તમારા માટે ઉપલબ્ધ છે. યોગ્ય ઑક્ઝિલરી સહાય અને ઍઝસેસસબલ ફૉમેટમાાં માહહતી પૂરી પાડવા માટેની સેવાઓ પણ સવના મૂલ્યે ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 1-814-456-2299 પર કૉલ કરો અથવા તમારા પ્રદાતા સાથે વાત કરો.”