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StarTran Handi-Van Program

Operating Guidelines

Acrobat (PDF) Version of Brochure (49 K) PDF Document

Suggestions for Efficient Service

  1. Riders making medical appointments should try to schedule these appointments between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to enable accommodation of the trip request on the Handi-Van.
  2. Riders are expected to watch closely for the arrival of Handi-Van vehicles.
  3. Riders should arrange to have Handi-Van pick-ups made at the most accessible locations possible.
  4. Trips to or from Madonna are scheduled at the main entrance. If a rider is delivered to another location, the return trip will still be from the main entrance.

  5. Riders should have the following information available and in the following order when calling to the Handi-Van dispatcher.

    Please give only the information listed below as the dispatcher is very busy.

    1. Name of rider.
    2. Day of requested trip.
    3. Time of pick up.
    4. Address of pick-up point, including specific doorway, if appropriate.
    5. Address of destination including specific doorway, if appropriate.
  6. Riders should be prepared to show ID and pay fare at the time of boarding the Handi-Van.
  7. If Transport Plus arrives to pick you up instead of a Handi-Van, you pay only the regular Handi-Van fare.

Appointments

  1. Persons must provide the addresses for both the pick-up and destination before reservations will be accepted.
  2. Effective September 1, 2000, calls for appointments will be accepted up to seven (7) calendar days to the date of the requested trip, subject to space availability. "Same day" requests will be accepted, subject to space availability. Reservations may be made Monday through Friday, Sundays and holidays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Reservation calls made on Sundays and holidays will be taken via a telephone answering machine. Accommodation of requests placed on the answering machine are subject to space availability and to confirmation of that request by the StarTran dispatcher.
  3. Effective September 1, 1992, no priority reservations will be made for trips taken on the Handi-Van. All trips will be accommodated on a space available basis for all operating times. If the requested date/time is not available, the StarTran dispatcher will attempt to find an acceptable time to accommodate your needs. It is strongly recommended that you identify a pick-up time when requesting a return reservation. Unscheduled return trips will be accommodated the same as "same day" requests and are subject to space availability.
  4. Standing appointments (subscription service). Subscription service requests will be accommodated on a space available basis. The number of subscription trips, according to ADA regulations, cannot exceed 50% of the total number of trips available for each program of any given time of the service day. Trips must take place from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Trips must occur at least 3 times per week on the same days and times, for at least four continuous weeks. All ADA Eligible persons who, prior to 1/26/92 were receiving standing appointment reservations will continue to receive that service, subject to the above ADA Eligibility requirements. However, any request for time or location changes or a 30-day or greater service discontinuance will result in discontinuance of existing service and applicant must re-apply for service. No new subscription trips will be scheduled at any times during which subscription trips exceed 50% of the total available trips. No "conditional" eligible persons are eligible for subscription service.
  5. For persons returning to Lincoln from an out-of-town trip, calls may be made to the StarTran dispatcher upon arrival at airport, bus terminal, etc. This call will be, treated as a regular return trip. If trip plans to Lincoln terminals include arrival after 7:00 p.m. a reservation for the return trip should be made in advance. StarTran Handi-Van and Brokerage services are available to ADA Eligible visitors in the same manner as local eligible service users for a period not to exceed a total of 21 days. Contact the League of Human Dignity for information on proof of eligibility. No disabled person under the age of 12 may ride the Handi-Van unless accompanied by an adult. Persons under 12 who are not disabled may ride the Handi-Van when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid Handi-Van I.D. Up to one friend/companion (in addition to an authorized personal care attendant) may accompany eligible patrons on the Handi-Van and Brokerage services and will pay the same fare as the eligible patron. An "accompanying" person must ride on the same vehicle and have the same origin and destination as the ADA Eligible person being accompanied.

Pick-ups

  1. Riders are to be ready at least 15 minutes in advance of the scheduled pick-up time. Vans will not wait more than five (5) minutes after arrival at pick-up point except in cases of extreme emergency or when the van is early and will not return that day. In the event the passenger cannot be located, the drivers will wait for notification from the StarTran dispatcher before leaving.
  2. Persons are asked not to call about vans being late until at least 15 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. Please do not call to confirm Handi-Van reservations.
  3. StarTran will attempt to keep each user's ride to less than 30 minutes.
  4. Drivers are not required to help with coats, gloves, hats, shoes, lights, pets, packages, groceries, wheelchair footrests or to assist passengers with putting their feet on the wheelchair footrests or other physical assistance.
  5. Drivers are not required to assist a person once inside building of destination. Persons needing assistance inside the destination are required to have an escort.
  6. Fare payment is required each time the user boards the Handi-Van. Passengers are expected to have correct change. Drivers cannot make change.
  7. Riders are to call the Handi-Van dispatchers to cancel appointments no less than 30 minutes prior to scheduled pick-up time. Less than 30 minutes equals a "No Show." Chronic "No Shows" will be subject to the StarTran "No Show" policies, which may result in the patron being required to confirm the reservation 30 minutes prior to pick-up. StarTran may refuse service to ADA Eligible individuals who engage in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct.
  8. Following is the StarTran snow policy:
    • Sidewalks, steps and driveways must be scooped of snow and cleared of ice.
    • Wheelchair ramps must be completely cleared of snow and ice.
    • If snow or ice develops through the day, the person must call the dispatcher to arrange for an earlier return trip.
    • During inclement weather, the determination of any unsafe conditions due to snow or ice will be left to the discretion of the Handi-Van operator. If there is a disagreement with the operator's decision, please call the dispatcher and a supervisor will be sent to the person's home. The supervisor's decision will be final.

Returns

  1. Drivers are not required to enter a store or building in search of a rider.
  2. Persons calling in for a return trip must call StarTran by 4:30 p.m.

Safety

The following regulations are intended to insure the safety of the Handi-Van passengers and drivers and reduce the potential for accidents.

  1. Drivers are not required to pull any wheelchairs up more than one step, at pick-up or destination point. A ramp or mechanical lift will be required if there is more than one step at the pick-up or destination point.
  2. Passengers traveling in wheelchairs must follow the instructions given to them by the Handi-Van driver. The driver is responsible for your safety while on the Handi-Van.
  3. All mobility devices must be secured in the Handi-Van using the current securement system. Refusal to allow your mobility device to be secured could result in the denial of your scheduled trip.
  4. Safety belts must be worn at all times when riding in the Handi-Van.
  5. Passengers are not to release any safety or wheelchair belts. Upon arrival at your destination, the driver will release them and assist you off the van.

If you have any questions please call the League of Human Dignity at 441 -7871.

The rules, regulations, and operating policies contained in this brochure comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the "Complementary Para-Transit Plan – Lincoln, Nebraska", 1/26/92.

Approved by the League of Human Dignity Transportation Committee, March 12, 1992.

Effective on September 1, 1992, only the following categories of ADA Eligible persons will be eligible for StarTran Handi-Van and Brokerage service:

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Handi-Van Program