The US DOT issued a Final Rule under the American Disability Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which takes effect on July 13, 2015, and can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-13/pdf/2015-05646.pdf. Per this final rule, the Ames Transit Agency (CyRide) is required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to its transit programs and services (fixed-route service and Dial-A-Ride). “The real-world effect will be that the nature of an individuals’ disability cannot preclude a public transit entity from providing full access to their service unless some exception applies.”

Therefore beginning July 13, 2015, CyRide will consider requests for reasonable modifications so that individuals with disabilities can have equal access to our fixed route and Dial-A-Ride (ADA Complementary Paratransit) services as follows:

1. Modification Requests Submittals

The individual requesting the modification will describe what they need in order to use CyRide’s fixed route or Dial-A-Ride service. Individuals should state their impending trip date within their request, if possible. CyRide can take up to 21 days to process ADA applications and any ADA Reasonable Modification requests.

a. Requests can be made directly to CyRide’s Transit Operations Manager Rob Holm, or HIRTA's Communications Manager, Amber Falls who are the designated responsible employees to approve/deny pending reasonable modification requests. (See #2 below)  Please submit the following form with your request: www.cyride.com/reasonable-modification-form

b. Requests can be made during the Dial-A-Ride (ADA Paratransit) eligibility process www.cyride.com/dar-application

c. Requests can be made when a passenger schedules their trip for Dial-A-Ride service through CyRide’s subcontractor HIRTA.

d. Requests can be made through general customer service inquiries by emailing cyride@cyride.com or by calling CyRide at 515-292-1100

e. Requests can be made through the customer comment/complaint process.  Customer comment procedures are documented in the Customer Comment/Complaint Process (www.cyride.com/about-us/customer-comment-complaint-process) and may be used to address reasonable modifications.

2. Designated Responsible Employee

CyRide’s Transit Operations Manager, Rob Holm (fixed route) or HIRTA's Communications Manager, Amber Falls (Dial-A-Ride) are the designated responsible employees to approve/deny pending reasonable modification requests.

Fixed Route Service
Rob Holm
Transit Operations Manager
601 N. University Blvd.
Ames, IA 50010
rholm@cyride.com or 515-292-1100

Dial-A-Ride (Paratransit) Service
Amber Falls
Communications Manager
2824 104th Street
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
afalls@ridehirta.com or 515-309-9285

CyRide is committed to providing public transit service to all the general public including those individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and believe a modification in CyRide’s services, policies or programs would allow you to access CyRide’s transit services, please contact CyRide’s Transit Operations Manager or HIRTA's Customer Service Supervisor above via phone, letter or email and describe what is needed to be modified in order for you to utilize CyRide’s services. HIRTA's Reasonable Modification Policy and Forms may be found by visiting www.hirtapublictransit.com or by calling HIRTA at the number listed above.

3. Use of Term Reasonable Modification Not Required

The individual requesting modification is not required to use the term “reasonable modification” when making a request. General complaints concerning issues in accessing transit service or general information requests for modifications in service due to an individual’s disability would all be directed to CyRide’ Assistant Director of Operations as part of the general complaint process. However, any suggested request for modification by an individual with a disability determined through a complaint investigation would be forwarded to CyRide’s Transit Operations Manager, Rob Holm.

4. Requests In Advance

Whenever feasible, requests for modifications will be made and determined in advance, before CyRide or its subcontractors are expected to provide the modified service. Individuals should state their impending trip date within their request. However, this determination prior to service may not always be possible.
Depending on the complexity of the request and if any financial assistance is needed to grant the request, additional CyRide administrative/operational staff (fixed-route or Dial-A-Ride) could also be involved in providing more information for any modification approval/denial determinations.

5. Requests During Transit Trip 

Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, operating personnel will make a determination of whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request. If necessary, operators will consult with CyRide Dispatch and/or HIRTA’s Dispatcher before making a determination to deny the request. Any denials for modifications not granted in fixed route service shall be written up as an incident by the driver to forward to Rob Holm to officially log the denial as stated in #9 below.

6. Reasonable Modification Approvals

CyRide fixed-route drivers are not expected to retain knowledge of each specific passenger’s modification. Any approved modification for a passenger with a disability shall be issued a Reasonable Modification card they can carry/show to drivers of CyRide’s services. Furthermore, any granted reasonable modification for Dial-A-Ride would be listed within the drivers’ instructions when picking up the passenger as well as on their ADA card. Additionally, CyRide’s Dispatch will also have a listing of any passengers with approved reasonable modification(s). CyRide can take up to 21 days to process ADA application requests as well as Reasonable Modification requests.

7. Grounds For Denial

Requests for modifications of policies and practices may be denied only on one or more of the following grounds:

a. Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of CyRide’s Transit services, programs or activities

b. Granting the request would create a direct threat to the health or safety of others

c. Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability is able to fully use CyRide’s fixed route or Dial-A-Ride (ADA Paratransit) services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose

d. Results in an undue financial and administrative burden

8. Other Actions Prior to Official Denial

In any case in which CyRide denies a request for a reasonable modification as requested by the passenger, CyRide will take, to the maximum extent possible, any other actions (that would not result in a direct threat or fundamental alteration) to ensure that the individual with a disability receives the services or benefits provided by CyRide.

Any request for a reasonable modification that is denied prior to the trip would be confirmed with CyRide’s Operations Supervisor or CyRide Transit Director to ensure no other modifications could be made to ensure the individual received transit service or benefits.

9. Reasonable Modification Denials

Any denials for reasonable modifications by CyRide and/or its subcontractors will be promptly communicated via written letter and/or e-mail to the individual requesting the modification including the reasons for the denial.

All denials, including reasoning, will be logged/maintained for federal reporting purposes. CyRide’s Dial-A-Ride subcontractor will forward any reasonable modification denials regarding CyRide’s Dial-A-Ride service, along with the reason for the denial, to Rob Holm, CyRide’s Assistant Operations Supervisor at rholm@cyride.com.

10. Decisions Guided by 49 CFR Appendix E

In determining whether to grant a requested modification, CyRide will be guided by the provisions of United States Department of Transportation 49 CFR Appendix E to Part 37.169.

11. Procedures Availability

CyRide’s complaint process and reasonable modification procedures are available on CyRide’s website at www.cyride.com or by an individual’s request to CyRide. For a copy of these procedures, please call CyRide at 515-292-1100 or e-mail cyride@cyride.com or click the links above for immediate access.