Frequently Asked Questions

How does someone become able to use the service?

To use East Bay Paratransit, you must apply through the Eligibility Certification Department and be found eligible for the service. The process includes both a paper application and an in-person assessment (IPA). Only people who have a disability or a health-related condition that prevents them from using buses or trains are eligible to use the service. Please note that not all disabilities will make a person eligible for paratransit.

When does East Bay Paratransit run?

ADA paratransit is designed as a complimentary service for fixed-route public transit. Therefore, East Bay Paratransit service is only available during the days and hours of an operating bus or rail service.

Where does East Bay Paratransit go?

Paratransit service is available within 3/4 of a mile of an AC Transit bus route or BART station during the same hours that buses and trains are running on those routes. Both the origin and destination of the paratransit trip must meet this standard. The East Bay Paratransit Customer Service Center will tell you if paratransit will be available for a particular trip you want.

East Bay Paratransit serves the following cities:

  • Alameda
  • Albany
  • Berkeley
  • Castro Valley
  • El Cerrito
  • El Sobrante
  • Emeryville
  • Fremont
  • Hayward
  • Kensington
  • Milpitas (part)
  • Newark
  • Oakland
  • Piedmont
  • Pinole (part)
  • Richmond
  • San Leandro
  • San Pablo
  • Union City

You can also go to and from any of these cities to anywhere in San Francisco.  You can go elsewhere in the Bay Area, beyond these cities by transferring to other ADA paratransit services.

How do I schedule a ride?

Travel on East Bay Paratransit is by advance reservation only. Reservations are made on the phone to the East Bay Paratransit Customer Service Center. Reservation calls are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day, including weekends. You can make a reservation as early as seven days in advance. No same day reservations are accepted.

Either you or your caregiver can call to make a reservation for you. Your reservation request will be entered into our reservation system where your trip will be assigned to a vehicle. Assignment to a particular vehicle is at East Bay Paratransit’s discretion. You have the option of requesting a reservation based EITHER on the time you want to be picked up, OR the time you want to be dropped off at your destination.

Do I travel alone in the vehicle?

East Bay Paratransit is a “shared-ride” service. This means that other riders with different destinations will be picked up and dropped off along the way and the routing is not necessarily linear.  Your trip may take longer than if you took a taxi or drove yourself.  Your ride may take a similar amount of time as the same trip would take on an AC Transit bus, including transfers and wait times.

When will my ride come?

When you make your reservation, the Customer Service Representative will confirm your trip by giving you a 30-minute “pick-up window.” Your vehicle may arrive at any time during the window, but you must be ready to leave and go to the vehicle at the beginning of your pick-up window. It is your responsibility to wait where you will be able to tell that the vehicle has arrived. Be ready! The driver is allowed to wait only 5 minutes for you! It is your responsibility to be ready to take your trip. If you do not meet the vehicle when it arrives, your driver will attempt to find you and East Bay Paratransit will attempt to call you. If you cannot be located or choose not to start boarding within five minutes, the driver may leave and continue to their next pick-up. If you miss your pick-up, East Bay Paratransit may not be able to send another vehicle. In addition, you may be penalized for failing to take the trip. Any remaining trips you have scheduled will not be automatically cancelled.

How much does it cost?

One Way Fares:
For service in the East Bay (one way)
Fare Distance
$4.00 0 to 12 miles
$6.00 >12 miles, up to 20 miles
$7.00 >20 miles
Travel to and from San Francisco is distance based and costs between $6.00 and $10.00, depending where you start and end. However, San Francisco trips which go beyond the BART service territory that are carried by East Bay Paratransit also pay an additional MUNI paratransit fare of $2.50. When you make a reservation for a trip on East Bay Paratransit, you will be told the fare for your trip. You must pay your fare before, or as soon as, you get into the vehicle. You may pay in cash, with tickets, a combination of the two, or through the Contactless Payment App. If you are paying with cash, bring exact change because the drivers cannot make change. Tickets are available in $4.00 or $1.00 denominations and come in books of ten.

Can I bring someone along with me on my paratransit trip?

ADA eligible riders, their personal care attendants (PCAs), and their companions are allowed to use East Bay Paratransit.  Both personal care attendants and companions must travel to and from the same locations as the eligible rider they are traveling with. You must make reservations for the PCA and/or companion when you make the reservation for yourself.

Companions pay the same fare as you to ride paratransit.  Personal care attendants pay no fare when they ride with you.

How can I be involved?

You can be involved by participating in the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey and/or the Service Review Advisory Committee. Click here for more information.

How can I submit feedback to East Bay Paratransit?

You can click here to submit feedback.