SunDial Paratransit Accessibility F.A.Q.

All persons requesting ADA certification must complete an application and provide the necessary documentation to determine eligibility. Eligibility decisions are made within 21 days of receipt of the completed application. SunLine will provide presumptive eligibility for applications not processed within 21 days of receipt. Applicant will be able to schedule and use SunDial beginning on the 22nd day until such time that a written determination is issued. Applications are available at the SunLine Transit Agency office in Thousand Palms, via mail by calling Customer Service at 760-343-3451 or online at sunline.org.

Eligibility is not based solely on physical disability. Consideration is given to whether and how the disability impairs an individual’s mobility. Under the ADA, a disability alone does not automatically qualify a person to use SunDial Complementary ADA Paratransit Service. A person who lives within 3⁄4-mile of a fixed-route must be functionally unable to get to or use the fixed-route bus service to qualify to use the SunDial ADA Paratransit Service.

Complimentary ADA Paratransit Service is provided to the following three general groups of persons with disabilities:

1. Persons who have specific impairment-related conditions which make it impossible (not just difficult) to travel to or from the bus stop.

2. Persons who need a wheelchair lift or ramp and a wheelchair lift-equipped vehicle/bus is unable to deploy its lift/ramp in a particular location due to physical constraints of that particular bus stop.

3. Persons who are unable to board, ride, exit or otherwise navigate the fixed-route bus system, even if they are able to get to a bus stop.

Your ADA card may indicate you have CONDITIONAL, UNCONDITIONAL or TEMPORARY eligibility.

Accessibility and Alternative Formats

SunLine is committed to accessibility. The SunDial Paratransit Application and supporting materials are available in alternative formats upon request, including:

·         Large print

·         Braille

·         Audio format

·         Translated versions (e.g., Spanish)

SunLine Customer Service
 (760) 343-3451 (TDD/TTY: 711)
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Visitor Eligibility Requests

If you are currently eligible for SunDial Paratransit and plan to travel outside the Coachella Valley, your SunDial approval letter can serve as proof of eligibility to request a 21-day visitor pass from other ADA paratransit agencies.

You may also request that SunLine send your eligibility documentation directly to another transit agency. To do so:

• Contact SunLine Customer Service at (760) 343-3451 and provide:
  • The name of the transit agency
  • A valid fax number or email address where the information should be sent

Alternatively, you may use our secure form to submit your request online:
https://form.jotform.com/250576612402047

ADA Eligibility Determination Statement

In accordance with 49 CFR § 37.125(c), SunLine Transit Agency will make an eligibility determination within 21 calendar days of receiving a complete application for SunDial Paratransit service. If a decision is not made within this timeframe, the applicant will be granted presumptive eligibility and may use the service until a final decision is issued.

Eligibility may be granted as unconditional, conditional, or temporary, based on how the applicant’s disability functionally impacts their ability to use the fixed-route system.

In compliance with 49 CFR § 37.125(f), SunLine Transit Agency certifies SunDial Paratransit eligibility for up to three (3) years, as allowed under ADA guidelines. Temporary eligibility may be issued for a shorter period when the disability or condition is expected to improve.

Category 1: Inability to Board, Ride, or Disembark a Bus

Who qualifies:
Individuals with a disability who cannot independently board, ride, or exit a fully accessible fixed-route vehicle — even if it has a lift or ramp.

Example:
A person with severe cognitive impairment who cannot understand how to use the bus system, even with training.

Category 2: Accessibility of the Bus, But Not the Route

Who qualifies:
Individuals who can use an accessible vehicle (like one with a lift or ramp), but a lift-equipped bus is not available at the time or on the route they need.

Example:
A person using a power wheelchair whose bus stop is served by buses without working lifts or ramps.

Category 3: Inability to Reach the Bus Stop or Final Destination

Who qualifies:
Individuals who have a specific impairment-related condition that prevents them from traveling to or from a bus stop.

Important Note:
General barriers like distance, weather, or lack of sidewalks alone do not qualify. The barrier must interact with a specific disability to prevent access.

Example:
A person with severe arthritis who cannot travel across uneven terrain between home and the nearest bus stop.

Eligibility Clarification Statement

In accordance with 49 CFR § 37.123(e)(3), eligibility for SunDial Paratransit is based on a person’s functional ability to use the fixed-route system. Eligibility is not based solely on a medical diagnosis, age, or general conditions.

General barriers such as distance to a bus stop, lack of sidewalks, weather, or discomfort do not, by themselves, qualify someone for paratransit service. These factors must interact with a specific disability in a way that prevents the individual from using the fixed-route system independently.

Appeals – 30-Day Presumptive Eligibility Statement

In accordance with 49 CFR § 37.125(g)(3), if no decision is made within 30 days after the completion of the appeal process, SunLine will provide presumptive eligibility and paratransit service until a final decision is issued.