Introduction
Westport Door-to-Door is the transportation service within the Town of Westport required by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA and its regulations require that the Norwalk Transit District provide paratransit service to individuals with disabilities that is comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the Westport public bus service. Both the service eligibility requirements and the service design are in compliance with 49 CFR, Parts 37 and 38, Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities, of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

Becoming Eligible

You may be eligible for ADA door-to-door services if:
As a result of a physical or mental impairment, and without the assistance of another individual (except the operator of a wheelchair lift), you are unable to board, ride or disembark from any public bus;

As a result of a specific impairment-related condition you are prevented from traveling to or from a bus stop on the public bus system; or

The interaction of your disability and barriers (architectural and environmental, such as curb cuts, distance, terrain or weather) prevent you from traveling to or from the public bus stop.

Eligibility Process:
Before using this door-to-door service, you must complete an ADA Eligibility Certification Request form and mail it to our office to begin the review process.

It is important that you complete the entire form so we can provide you with the best possible service. Your eligibility certification will be based on the ADA eligibility guidelines noted above.  Mail the completed form to the:

Norwalk Transit District
275 Wilson Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854

Download ADA Eligibility Form>>
Upon receipt of your completed form we will contact you to schedule a face-to-face interview.  We may also seek professional verification of your disability during the process. If you are approved, you will receive your identification card and a service description brochure in the mail.  The entire process may not exceed 21 days.

Appeals Procedure
If it is determined that you are not eligible for service; you will receive a letter along with information on how to appeal the decision. You may submit your appeal within 65 days in writing to the Norwalk Transit District to the attention of the Administrator. If the Administrator denies your appeal, you may re-submit your appeal to the attention of the Commissioners of the Norwalk Transit District.

Fares
Fare tickets are valued at $2.50 individually or discounted at 10 tickets for $22.50. Westport Door-to-Door passengers pay one fare ticket for a one-way trip within Westport.

Purchasing Fare Tickets
Fare tickets must be purchased in advance as the drivers do not accept cash. Fare tickets must be given to the driver before boarding the vehicle. Transportation will not be provided without the proper fare ticket.

Fare tickets may be purchased in person or by mail at:

Norwalk Transit District
275 Wilson Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854

(make checks payable to Norwalk Transit District in the exact amount)
Or over the phone using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard).  Call (203) 299-5160 for more information.

For your convenience, fare tickets may also be purchased at the following locations in Westport:

Hudson United Bank
87 Post Road East

Westport Center for Senior Activities
21 Imperial Avenue

Human Services Department – Westport Town Hall
110 Myrtle Avenue

Using the Service

Reserve Your Ride
Call:
(203) 299-5180 (Voice)
(203) 299-5183 (TDD)
between 8 am and 5 pm, the day before your trip or earlier.

Trip Information
Tell the dispatcher the day you need service, your ID card number, your name, the pick-up and destination addresses, your appointment and return times, and if you have a personal attendant (person providing assistance) or will need special assistance.

Flexibility
The dispatcher does an excellent job, but it is inevitable that some trips will be more difficult to schedule at certain times. You will be most satisfied with our service if you can be flexible about your requests.

Getting Ready
Passengers should plan to be ready 10 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time and have their ID card and fare tickets in hand.

Driver Wait Times
To avoid delaying other passengers, drivers can only wait 5 minutes for passengers on all outgoing and return trips.

Delays
Traffic delays or other problems may sometimes result in an unavoidable late pick-up. Please wait at least 15 minutes after your scheduled pick-up time before calling us to inquire about your ride. We will make every effort to pick you up on time.

Trip Changes
Trip changes or requests for service cannot be made with the driver. All trip scheduling and destination changes must be made by calling the dispatcher prior to your trip.

Service Standards

Visitor Policy for ADA Service
If you are visiting Westport, are ADA certified in your home community and wish to use the service, call (203) 299-5180 (Voice) / (203) 299-5183 (TDD) to reserve your ride. Service will be available to you for 21 days. Thereafter, you must be certified by Norwalk Transit District following the eligibility process previously described.

Cancellations
You must notify us of your cancellation at least 2 hours before your scheduled pick-up time so that our vehicles will be free to serve other passengers. Cancellations not made in accordance with the above will be treated as a "no show".

Misuse of Service
The Norwalk Transit District reserves the right to deny service to passengers who chronically misuse the service. Passengers who have more than 3 "no shows" during a month may have their riding privileges suspended for one month. This rule will not apply to weather-related cancellations.

Ice and Snow
If at all possible, please keep your entry way and driveway clear of ice and snow. This will make it safer for our vehicles to get to you.

Courtesy
As a courtesy to others, smoking, eating or drinking on vehicles is prohibited at all times.

Tipping
Please help us by not offering tips to drivers as they cannot be accepted.

Trip Purpose
Certified passengers may use the door-to-door service to travel around Westport for any reason...medical, employment, education, shopping or social.

Passenger Assistance

Driver Assistance
The door-to-door transportation service has a diverse fleet of vehicles and drivers receive intensive training in defensive driving and sensitivity to the special needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities. However, they do not enter homes and do not go beyond the lobby of a building.

Personal Care Attendants
If you have a personal attendant/aide accompanying you on a trip, please let us know when reserving your ride. That person may ride for free. They must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as you and must be capable of providing any assistance you require. Companions may accompany you but must pay the appropriate fare ticket for the trip.

Shopping Bags/Carry-Ons
Please limit the number of shopping bags/ carry-ons to no more than four. Drivers will be happy to assist you with loading and unloading your packages to the door.

Safe Riding
For safe riding, passengers are required to use seatbelts. If you need assistance, ask the driver.

Service Days and Hours
Generally service is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.  There is limited service along U.S. Route 1 from 6 am to 8 am and from 6 pm to 10 pm Monday through Saturday and 9 am to 7 pm on Sundays and holidays.  Call (203) 299-5180 (Voice) / (203) 299-5183 (TDD) for more information.