APR 20 1994 The Honorable John Breaux United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Breaux: This letter is in response to your inquiry on behalf of your constituent, XX who seeks information about the transportation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to XX he uses a wheelchair and is required to get to a deviated fixed route in order to receive bus service. Because the distance to the fixed route pick-up points is too great for him to negotiate, he inquiries about the requirements under the ADA for at-home pick up and return service for persons with disabilities. Subtitle B of title II of the ADA establishes standards for the operation of public transportation systems, including fixed route bus transportation. Under the subtitle, every public entity operating a fixed route system must provide paratransit or other special service to individuals with disabilities that is comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system. This paratransit requirement applies to all public fixed route transportation, with the exception of commuter bus, commuter rail, and intercity rail systems. The Department of Transportation is responsible for the implementation of subtitle B of title II and its regulations and that Department will be able to provide more specific information regarding standards for eligibility for paratransit service. Accordingly, we have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your inquiry to that agency and have requested that they reply directly to you. 01-03003 - 2 - I hope that this information is helpful to you in responding to XX (b)(6). Sincerely, Deval L. Patrick Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division 01-03004