Paratranist Division

ECT has a program to assist people with disabilities who, due to their nature of disability(ies) cannot access ECT's fixed route service. This program is known as East Chicago Transit Complementary Paratransit Service.

This program is a curb-to-curb service for within East Chicago. To qualify for this service you must complete an application form and be certified by ECT. Application forms are to be filled out by the person requesting the services on one side and by the physician on the back side, signed and mailed to ECT office. You will be given a response within 21 days. When you receive the application, you will also receive policy and procedures regarding paratransit service. Please read them thoroughly.

You are considered eligible to use ECT's Complementary Paratransit Service if:

You are unable to board, ride, or disembark from any vehicle (bus) on the fixed route system which is readily accessible to and usable by other individuals with disabilities.

You are a person who needs the assistance of a wheelchair lift of other boarding assistance device and is able, with such assistance, to board, ride, and exit from accessible fixed route vehicle, but an accessible vehicle is either not available within a reasonable period of time of when the trip is taken by the individual, of the common wheelchair of the person cannot be accommodated by the vehicle.

A person who has a specific impairment related condition that prevents him/her from traveling to or from a bus stop. A person with an impairment-related condition that is prevented from traveling to or from a bus stop because of the interaction of certain architectural and/or environment barriers with their impairment - related condition.

The days and hours for service are Monday through Friday form 6:00 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Request for services will be received at the following telephone number (219) 391-8465. Reservations for scheduling a trip will be accepted 24 hours per day. Personnel will take reservations from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Voice mail messages can be left at all other times. Trips can be requested up to 14 calendar days in advance of the day of service. Reservations of next day service must be made by 5 p.m. the day before the trip.

ECT shall not impose any restrictions or priorities based on the trip purpose of any ADA eligible individual who has been certified and travels with ECT's service area.

There is no fare to use the paratransit service provided by ECT within its service area.

If you are unable to travel alone, a personal care attendant or companion will be allowed to accompany an ADA paratransit eligible user on the van as long as the companion(s) have the same origin and destination as the ADA eligible user.

Transportation service for this program will be provided by ECT personnel or their authorized contractor.

Certification of eligibility is available to all individuals with disabilities who resided within ECT's service area.

The service area includes origins and destinations within the entire corporate limits of the City of East Chicago, including any areas beyond the City's corporate limits, within 3/4 of a mile of ECT's existing fixed route transit service.

To qualify for this transportation service, you must complete an application form and be certified by the East Chicago Transit system as paratransit eligible.

For Additional Info or to receive an application please call our office (219) 391-8465.