Runabout
Runabout is a county-wide ADA paratransit program providing ADA complementary (comparable) service. Riders must be ADA certified to qualify for Runabout service.
There are many specialized transit options in SLO County. To learn about these, download the Specialized Transit Ride Guide.
Who is Eligible for ADA Certification?
The ADA law mandates that paratransit be available to those persons whose disability prevents them from using accessible fixed-route bus services.
This does not include people who find it uncomfortable, inconvenient or somewhat difficult to get to or from fixed route bus services.
-Persons do not automatically qualify for ADA certification because they have a disability or due to age.
ADA certification is based on a person’s functional (physical or cognitive) limitations in riding or reaching the fixed route system.
- All Runabout vehicles are wheelchair lift equipped. Mobility aids (walkers, canes, crutches), groceries and packages will be accommodated on the vehicle if possible.
- Drivers will assist passengers with origin to destination service to the Runabout. However, the drivers cannot lift passengers or enter their residences.
- If you have an ADA complaint, download the form here.
Information and Reservations
You must complete an application with RTA and must be ADA certified. To be certified, contact the RTA Mobility Specialist at (805) 781-1170.
Reservations can only be made up to 7 days in advance. For reservations and information, please call (805) 541–2544.
Costs
ADA fares are double the regular one-way fixed route bus fare for the same trip distance (between $2.50 and $11.00 each way depending on travel distance). Checks will be accepted for a minimum of $15 and maximum of $60.
View Runabout Fares here
Cancellations
Cancellation of your Runabout reservation needs to be made as soon as possible. You are able to cancel 24 hours a day by leaving a message on our Runabout line.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides protection for persons with disabilities in a number of areas, such as employment, public accommodations and transportation. The transportation elements of the ADA directed transit agencies to make their fixed route service fully accessible, while requiring transit agencies to also provide complementary paratransit service to individuals who are unable to use accessible fixed route service. Specifically, complementary paratransit service must be provided within ¾ miles of fixed routes during the same days and hours.
The ADA permits trip schedulers to negotiate travel times one hour on either side of the requested time. RTA’s Runabout service is the complementary paratransit provider for all fixed route services in San Luis Obispo County.
ADA Paratransit service is provided in accordance with the following Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 criteria:
- Rider is certified and their trip is eligible to receive ADA Paratransit service.
- Pickup and drop-off points are within 3/4 mile of regular bus route(s).
- Trip times are comparable with regular bus service.
- To obtain an application or for specific answers about the application process, please call (805) 781–4833
ADA Complaint Procedures
Any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against or denied full participation in transportation on the basis of disability by the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) may file an ADA complaint.
The RTA investigates all ADA complaints received within 90 days of the alleged incident. ADA complaints may be submitted to the RTA via completed online ADA Complaint Form, (Complaint form in Spanish) e-mail, phone, or by US mail. The online complaint form can be accessed via the link provided, or you may contact the RTA directly at (805) 781-4472 and request that a copy be mailed to you. Forms should be submitted to the attention of the ADA Mobility Specialist at the address listed below. Note: Complaints must include contact information.
Upon receipt of an ADA complaint, the RTA will review the submitted information and send the complainant a letter of acknowledgement informing them of the complaint status. The RTA may require up to 30 calendar days to investigate a complaint. If additional information is required in order to resolve the complaint, the RTA may contact the complainant. The complainant will have 10 business days from the date of the letter to submit the requested information to the RTA official investigating the complaint. If the RTA investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, the RTA has the right to administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
Once the investigator has reviewed a complaint, the complainant will be issued a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations stating that no ADA violation occurred and that the case will be closed. A LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews concerning the alleged incident, and explains what, if any, corrective actions will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the RTA’s decision, they will have 10 business days from the date of the letter to do so.
Complaint Procedures in English
Complaint Procedures in Spanish
Submit Complaint By Mail:
Attention: ADA Mobility Specialist
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
253 Elks Lane
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Submit Complaint By Phone:
ADA Mobility Offices
Phone: (805) 781-1170
Fax: (805) 781-4363
Title VI – Civil Rights Coordinator
Phone: (805) 781-4397
Fax: (805) 781-1291
Submit Complaint By Email:
ADA Mobility Specialist Email: cwoodard@slorta.org
Title VI – Civil Rights Coordinator Email: tarnold@slorta.org
Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration at:
FTA Office of Civil Rights
ATTN: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Appeals Process
The RTA’s Administrative Appeals Process provides individuals who are denied Runabout eligibility to obtain a review of the denial. Click on the link below for information about the Appeals Process. To submit an appeal, completed the Appeals Request Form: English & Spanish. Return the completed Appeals Request Form to the RTA Mobility Officer at 253 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the Runabout FAQ for more info.
Questions? Contact Runabout at (805) 541–2544
Runabout Paratransit
- Service for ADA certified passengers only
- To qualify for Runabout a completed application and an in-person interview is required for all new applicants
- Available 7 days a week
- Pickups/drop-offs are within ¾ miles of regular bus routes
- Fares range from $2.50–$11 each way
- At a minimum, reservations must be made the day before you need the ride
- Call (805) 541–2544 for reservations
Runabout is a county-wide ADA paratransit program providing ADA complementary (comparable) service. Riders must be ADA certified to qualify for Runabout service.
There are many specialized transit options in SLO County. To learn about these, download the Specialized Transit Ride Guide.
Who is Eligible for ADA Certification?
The ADA law mandates that paratransit be available to those persons whose disability prevents them from using accessible fixed-route bus services.
This does not include people who find it uncomfortable, inconvenient or somewhat difficult to get to or from fixed route bus services.
-Persons do not automatically qualify for ADA certification because they have a disability or due to age.
ADA certification is based on a person’s functional (physical or cognitive) limitations in riding or reaching the fixed route system.
- All Runabout vehicles are wheelchair lift equipped. Mobility aids (walkers, canes, crutches), groceries and packages will be accommodated on the vehicle if possible.
- Drivers will assist passengers with origin to destination service to the Runabout. However, the drivers cannot lift passengers or enter their residences.
- If you have an ADA complaint, download the form here.
Information and Reservations
You must complete an application with RTA and must be ADA certified. To be certified, contact the RTA Mobility Specialist at (805) 781-1170.
Reservations can only be made up to 7 days in advance. For reservations and information, please call (805) 541–2544.
Costs
ADA fares are double the regular one-way fixed route bus fare for the same trip distance (between $2.50 and $11.00 each way depending on travel distance). Checks will be accepted for a minimum of $15 and maximum of $60.
View Runabout Fares here
Cancellations
Cancellation of your Runabout reservation needs to be made as soon as possible. You are able to cancel 24 hours a day by leaving a message on our Runabout line.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides protection for persons with disabilities in a number of areas, such as employment, public accommodations and transportation. The transportation elements of the ADA directed transit agencies to make their fixed route service fully accessible, while requiring transit agencies to also provide complementary paratransit service to individuals who are unable to use accessible fixed route service. Specifically, complementary paratransit service must be provided within ¾ miles of fixed routes during the same days and hours.
The ADA permits trip schedulers to negotiate travel times one hour on either side of the requested time. RTA’s Runabout service is the complementary paratransit provider for all fixed route services in San Luis Obispo County.
ADA Paratransit service is provided in accordance with the following Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 criteria:
- Rider is certified and their trip is eligible to receive ADA Paratransit service.
- Pickup and drop-off points are within 3/4 mile of regular bus route(s).
- Trip times are comparable with regular bus service.
- To obtain an application or for specific answers about the application process, please call (805) 781–4833
ADA Complaint Procedures
Any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against or denied full participation in transportation on the basis of disability by the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) may file an ADA complaint.
The RTA investigates all ADA complaints received within 90 days of the alleged incident. ADA complaints may be submitted to the RTA via completed online ADA Complaint Form, (Complaint form in Spanish) e-mail, phone, or by US mail. The online complaint form can be accessed via the link provided, or you may contact the RTA directly at (805) 781-4472 and request that a copy be mailed to you. Forms should be submitted to the attention of the ADA Mobility Specialist at the address listed below. Note: Complaints must include contact information.
Upon receipt of an ADA complaint, the RTA will review the submitted information and send the complainant a letter of acknowledgement informing them of the complaint status. The RTA may require up to 30 calendar days to investigate a complaint. If additional information is required in order to resolve the complaint, the RTA may contact the complainant. The complainant will have 10 business days from the date of the letter to submit the requested information to the RTA official investigating the complaint. If the RTA investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, the RTA has the right to administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
Once the investigator has reviewed a complaint, the complainant will be issued a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations stating that no ADA violation occurred and that the case will be closed. A LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews concerning the alleged incident, and explains what, if any, corrective actions will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the RTA’s decision, they will have 10 business days from the date of the letter to do so.
Complaint Procedures in English
Complaint Procedures in Spanish
Submit Complaint By Mail:
Attention: ADA Mobility Specialist
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
253 Elks Lane
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Submit Complaint By Phone:
ADA Mobility Offices
Phone: (805) 781-1170
Fax: (805) 781-4363
Title VI – Civil Rights Coordinator
Phone: (805) 781-4397
Fax: (805) 781-1291
Submit Complaint By Email:
ADA Mobility Specialist Email: cwoodard@slorta.org
Title VI – Civil Rights Coordinator Email: tarnold@slorta.org
Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration at:
FTA Office of Civil Rights
ATTN: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Appeals Process
The RTA’s Administrative Appeals Process provides individuals who are denied Runabout eligibility to obtain a review of the denial. Click on the link below for information about the Appeals Process. To submit an appeal, completed the Appeals Request Form: English & Spanish. Return the completed Appeals Request Form to the RTA Mobility Officer at 253 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the Runabout FAQ for more info.
Questions? Contact Runabout at (805) 541–2544
Runabout Paratransit
- Service for ADA certified passengers only
- To qualify for Runabout a completed application and an in-person interview is required for all new applicants
- Available 7 days a week
- Pickups/drop-offs are within ¾ miles of regular bus routes
- Fares range from $2.50–$11 each way
- At a minimum, reservations must be made the day before you need the ride
- Call (805) 541–2544 for reservations
