What Is METROLift And How Does It Work?
METROLift is a complementary paratransit service offered by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County in accordance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). METROLift provides transportation for persons with disabilities who cannot board, ride or disembark from a regular METRO fixed-route bus, even if that bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp.
METROLift provides service using wheelchair lift vans and ramp-equipped mini-vans that accommodate persons using wheelchairs and scooters. Boarding chairs are available to assist any patron who is unable to access the van using the stairs. Please note that patrons cannot request specific vehicle types.
METROLift transports thousands of patrons each day and we rely on our patrons to immediately inform our dispatch office when service issues occur.
A strong partnership with our patrons enables METROLift to respond quickly to service issues, reducing wait time for our patrons. Patrons must be able to independently travel to and from the vehicle parked at the curb for all scheduled pick-up and drop-off locations. Assistance beyond the curb is provided as required. Door-to-door assistance will be provided when needed due to disability. However, for safety reasons, drivers cannot lose sight of the vehicle in order to assist the customer. Customers can notify METROLift staff of their need for additional assistance when scheduling their trips or on the day of service.
For patrons unable to independently assume this responsibility, such as those with cognitive or visual disabilities, it is the sole responsibility of the patron’s guardian to ride with the patron or arrange for a responsible party to meet the vehicle and collect the patron at the destination. It is the responsibility of the guardian to keep track of the patron in case the building is closed or if the responsible party fails to appear as planned. METRO highly recommends that an attendant ride with the patron to ensure his or her safety and prevent the patron from wandering off unattended after leaving the METROLift vehicle.
METROLift Is Public Transportation
METROLift is a shared-ride service. This means that each vehicle makes several stops en route to its various destinations. When scheduling, patrons should consider requesting an appointment time earlier than 8:00 a.m. if you need to be at work at 8:00 a.m. In most cases, we will get you there at the scheduled appointment time; however, an added time cushion allows for unexpected service delays.
Rules Of The Road
Securements
To ensure maximum safety for you and other patrons, passengers are required to wear a METRO-furnished seatbelt while riding the METROLift vehicle. For persons using wheelchairs, passenger safety requires that a METROLift operator secure your wheelchair with specially designed tie-downs. In addition, two METROLift seatbelts are provided:
- One METROLift furnished seatbelt is recommended, but not required, while you are riding up or down on the wheelchair lift.
- The second seatbelt goes around you and attaches to the floor while you ride the METROLift vehicle.
All METROLift passengers must remain in place until the vehicle has stopped and the driver has removed the seatbelt and wheelchair securements. Under the ADA, standees are permitted on paratransit van lifts.
Vehicle Seating
METROLift has no assigned seating in vehicles. Drivers may recommend a seat location to facilitate the loading and unloading of customers.
All children under 2 years and/or under 40 pounds must travel in an approved child seat furnished by the parent or person accompanying the child, regardless of the vehicle type.
City Ordinance
City of Houston Ordinance 77-1667 forbids passengers from smoking, eating or drinking in the vehicle.
Service Animals
Guide dogs and service animals are permitted. You must tell the reservations operator that you will be traveling with a service animal each time you make a trip reservation. Non-service pets are allowed to travel only in an animal carrier transported by the patron.
Packages
Patrons must be able to handle their own packages. Patrons may carry only the number of packages that they can handle safely while riding a METROLift vehicle. The driver can assist with a reasonable number of packages (3 to 4) in and out of the vehicle, but the patron must handle the packages beyond the curb or make arrangements for assistance.
Disruptive Behavior
METROLift has the right to refuse service to any patron who is considered to be a threat to himself, other riders, or to the safe operation of the vehicle.
Telephone Calls Are Recorded
METROLift records and monitors passenger calls to our office to ensure courteous phone service.
