WHAT IS DIAL A RIDE?
“Dial-A-Ride” is a public transportation service designed to meet the transportation needs of the elderly and disabled.
Operation of Dial-A-Ride requires the grouping of rides, whenever possible, according to destination. Dial-A-Ride is not a taxi service.
Dial-A-Ride may be used for rides to anywhere with in the fourteen-town Shoreline Region, including: medical appointments (first priority), shopping (preferably groups in Madison Region), personal business, nutrition, Senior Center activities, and work.
Madison’s Region:
Branford, Clinton, Durham, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Middletown, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, and West Haven.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
PURPOSE AND POLICY
Dial-A-Ride Transportation Program is administered and operated by the Town of Madison’s Senior Services Department. This program is a local in town transit service for eligible residents who are without other means of necessary daytime travel. The program is operated according to policies and procedures which permit it to serve as many people as possible in a fair, efficient, and effective manner and without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, or personal favoritism. There is no fee for this service.
ELIGIBLE RIDERS
Madison residents, age 60 or older and residents over the age 18 having certification of a medical disability that is permanently and/or totally disabling are eligible to use Dial-A-Ride.
Persons with medical restrictions must apply for a pass by submitting a letter from their physician to the Department of Senior Services. Able bodied riders who are in complete control of their faculties shall be allowed to use Dial-A-Ride unattended. Those not sufficiently alert and ambulatory MUST be accompanied by an attendant.
New Riders are required to fill out an emergency information card. This card may be obtained by calling the Department of Senior Services at 203-245-5627 or from a Dial-A-Ride driver.
HOURS AND DAYS OF OPERATION
Service is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 AM-2 PM and Tuesday, Thursday 12 PM-5 PM, with the exception of Town Holidays.
PRIORITY USE OF RIDES
Medical appointments have top priority in scheduling. Remaining trips are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. We reserve the right to refer passengers to other services to avoid duplicating service. We also reserve the right to limit the number of rides an individual may receive so that we may best serve the majority.
OBTAINING SERVICE
To request a ride you must call 203-245-5627 between 8:30 AM and 4:00, two business days in advance for any reservation. Same day or one day in advance, reservations will not be accepted. Please provide the following information when making a reservation:
• Full Name
• Address
• Telephone Number
• Desired pick up time
• Destination
• Time of a specific appointment
• Length of appointment
• Desired return pick up time
If the times requested can not be accommodated in the schedule, you will be notified. The rider can either accept a revised time or cancel the request and make other arrangements.
CANCELLATIONS
The number to call for cancellation is 203-245-5627. Riders are responsible for calling as soon as possible to cancel pick up or return trips.
OTHER AGENCIES PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Community Services: 203-245-3031
Medical Transportation Rides
Medicaid Logisticare: 1-888-248-9857
Medical rides for those on Medicaid
St. Raphael’s Cancer Center:
203-789-3131
Free Shuttle to their cancer center.
Shoreline Shuttle: 203-510-0429
This service is available six days a week to any person needing transportation along the Route One corridor from the center of Madison to Old Saybrook, CT. The service is provided in accordance with a published schedule. The Estuary Transit District determines designated stops and sets the fare for the service. Drivers do not carry or give change.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Driveways must be passable and safe if the rider is to be picked up at the door. The driver will drop off riders as close to their destination as possible, using public roads.
Drivers are not required nor should they be expected to look for riders. Please be ready for pick up 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
All passengers are required to use seat belts. There is no exception to this rule.
Drivers may not make unscheduled stops which may delay arrival at the next scheduled stop.
If you need assistance, you must provide your own escort. (For example, to assist someone who walks unsteadily or a rider in a wheelchair.)
The escort must be identified as a rider when the reservation is made.
Dial-A-Ride service will be canceled when road conditions are or may become too difficult or hazardous for safe operation of the vehicle. Riders should watch Channel 3 News for cancellation notice. On days that the Dial-A-Ride service is canceled, reservations can still be made for other days in the week can still be made in usual manner.
OUT OF TOWN TRIPS
Luncheon and special out of town shopping trips are scheduled each month. The schedule for these special trips is published in the senior monthly newsletter, “The Depot Express.” Due to limited capacity, these trips are on a first call, first serve basis.
COMPLIMENTS, PROBLEMS, SUGGESTIONS
Riders with compliments, problems, or suggestions should write or call the Department of Senior Services. In accordance with Town personnel policy, drivers are never permitted to accept monetary gifts, tips, or gratuities. Written commendations for exceptional service are encouraged in lieu of tipping of gifts. Monetary donations maybe submitted directly to the Senior Services Department and will be used to benefit the Dial-A-Ride Program.
Funding Source:
CT Department of Transportation
and
The Town of Madison
