Paratransit

1. Pick-ups going to class have priority over all non-class pick-ups.
2. Scheduled pick-ups have priority over on-demand pickups.
3. On campus trips have priority over off-campus trips.

Request for subscription rides should be submitted via email to paratransit@osu.edu as soon as you have your schedule for the semester or as you submit your Temporary Paratransit Request Form.

Submitted request forms and schedules are processed on a first come, first served basis and can take up to 48 hours to finalize. Please note that you are able to schedule rides for each day with our dispatchers while your subscription is being created.

There must be at least one hour between on-campus trips and two hours between off-campus trips. This ensures that other riders have an opportunity to use the vans in between individual pick-ups.

If a rider requires a personal attendant, they must register the attendant with dispatch prior to riding.

On Demand rides are rides that do not follow a pattern and are generally requested within 24 hours of service. On Demand rides will be accommodated whenever possible. The assigned ride time is based on van availability.

There must be at least one hour between on-campus trips and two hours between off-campus trips. This ensures that other riders have an opportunity to use the vans in between individual pick-ups.

If a rider requires a personal attendant, they must register the attendant with dispatch prior to riding.

To cancel a scheduled ride, visit the online paratransit portal or call the paratransit dispatch office at 614-292-6202 no less than one hour prior to the scheduled trip.

Repeat cancellations within one hour could result in the ride being charged as a "no show," unless extenuating circumstances prevail.

All faculty, staff, and students with a temporary injury or medical condition restricting mobility are eligible for adapted transportation services. Some examples of a temporary condition would be a broken leg, or post-surgical condition which limits walking. To be eligible for temporary service, please submit a Paratransit Service Request Form and have it filled out by both the individual requesting it and their health care provider.

An off-campus trip is any trip in which either the pick-up or drop-off location is not a main campus building.

Restaurant and shopping trips are scheduled every Wednesday and Friday evening between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. Vans are provided to take passengers to and from any retail store within our service area. Shopping trips will be scheduled on a first-call, first-serve basis, depending on availability. During break service, shopping trips will be scheduled between 3:00pm and 7:00pm. During summer service, shopping trips will be scheduled Monday through Friday between 11:00am and 3:00pm.

On-Campus Boundaries:

• On the North: A straight line connecting Ackerman Road and Zollinger Road. Ackerman, from Kenny Road to Olentangy River Road. Argyll Street, from Olentangy River Road to the Olentangy River. Lane Avenue from Olentangy River to North High Street. 
• On the South: Kinnear Road, from North Star Avenue to Olentangy River Road. King Avenue, from Olentangy River Road to Evans Hall. West Eighth Avenue, from south west corner of Dodd Hall to Neil Avenue. West Tenth Avenue, from Neil Avenue to North High Street. 
• On the East: Olentangy River Road, from Ackerman Road to Argyll Street. Olentangy River, from Argyll Street to Lane Avenue. North High Street, from Lane Avenue to West Tenth Avenue. Neil Avenue, from West Tenth Avenue to West Eighth Avenue. Parking lot between south west corner of Dodd Hall and Evans Hall. 
• On the West: North Star Avenue, from Kinnear Road to Zollinger Road. Olentangy River Road, from Kinnear Road to King Avenue.

Off-Campus Boundaries:

• On the North: North Broadway, from the Conrail tracks east of North Fourth Street to Kenny and Fishinger Road, from Kenny Road to Northwest Boulevard. 
• On the South: Goodale Boulevard, from Northwest Boulevard to the Contrail tracks east of North Fourth Street. 
• On the West: Kenny Road, from Northwest Broadway to Fishinger and Northwest Boulevard, from Fishinger Road to Goodale Boulevard. 
• On the East: The Contrail tracks between North Broadway and Goodale Avenue

View the paratransit service boundary map. The university reserves the right to change both boundaries as necessary.

Rider Responsibilities

1. Riders are expected to be at the designated pick-up point at the scheduled time. Every effort is made to ensure riders are picked up as close to the designated time as possible, however, delays do occur. The "pick-up window" begins from the assigned pick-up time until 15 minutes past that scheduled time. Riders are expected to be available at any time within the pick-up window.

2. If the van does not arrive during the pick-up window, the rider should call the dispatcher at 614-292-6202. At that time, the rider will be provided with a revised van arrival time.

3. Riders using a wheelchair or scooter are required to engage the brake while on the lift, and while the van is in motion. Use of wheelchair seatbelts and securements is strongly encouraged.

Driver Responsibilities

1. Drivers are required to wait five minutes during the pick-up window. If a rider does not board within the five-minute window once the driver has arrive, they will be listed as a "no-show."

2. If the driver is going to be late for a scheduled pick-up, the Paratransit Dispatch office will call the rider with an updated pick-up time and may also receive text alerts if they are enrolled in the notification service.

3. Drivers will assist passengers with wheelchairs with seat belts and securements.

No-Show Policy

Riders are designated as a No Show when:

• The van has arrived at the scheduled pick-up point within the specified fifteen (15) minute window.
• The driver has waited at least five (5) full minutes during the pick-up window.
• The driver cannot reasonably locate the passenger.

No Show penalties will be as follows.

• First occurrence – Department will contact the passenger via email to remind them of the rider policies.
• Second occurrence – Warning letter sent by the department
• Third occurrence – One day suspension
• Fourth occurrence – One week suspension
• Fifth occurrence – Two week suspension
• Sixth occurrence – Rides will be suspended for the remainder of the semester

Registered paratransit riders can enroll for online ride scheduling and mobile notifications. The online paratransit portal allows customers to schedule, change or cancel trips, view ride schedules and track your paratransit shuttle in real-time. Riders are signed-up to receive text, phone call or e-mail alerts for trip reminders, driver arrival notifications, upcoming schedules and more content.

Assistive technology users may experience difficulty using this application. For assistance scheduling rides Monday - Friday from 6:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., please call 1-614-292-6202.  You can also contact us at paratransit@osu.edu.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides mobility services for persons with disabilities who are unable to use regular bus service. With the OSU/COTA pass program, students may use their Student ID to access these services at no charge.

Please visit COTA's Mobility Service to learn more about COTA's offering.