'On the Move' Newsletter: Fall/Winter 2019

What's Inside

AAR Vans Use Bus Lanes

Access-A-Ride (AAR) vans are now sharing all bus lanes. This is due to a rule change announced by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) allowing select dedicated (blue and white) AAR vehicles to travel in dedicated bus lanes. The rule change officially took effect on May 30, 2019 after collaborative efforts with advocates and the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

Celebrating Disability Pride in NYC!

Manhattan - Since 2015, Paratransit has proudly participated in the Disability Pride Parade and this past July 14th was no different!!  Over 311 trips were scheduled for the event and we are grateful to the staff who assisted our customers that day as well as those who showed Paratransit Pride by marching in the parade, including dedicated carriers, Enhanced Broker service and our call center – GCS.

Gracie Mansion ADA Celebration

Manhattan - MOPD Commissioner Victor Calise stops for a photo with Paratransit staff who were greeting and assisting customers attending the 2019 Sapolin Accessibility Awards.

Happy Birthday!

Manhattan - Star Cruiser operator Michael Cespedes greets AAR Customer Alvis Rogers with roses on her 100th Birthday in April.   Ms. Rogers is grateful for the ability to use AAR service to travel around town, and on this day, to her birthday party!

Thank You!

Staten Island - Paratransit VP Michael Cosgrove and Deputy VP Don Raimondi present MVP operator Stephen Wallace and Road Supervisor Marie Tolentino with a plaque of appreciation for their exemplary customer service in immediately returning the lost cash to grateful AAR customer Donna Abrami, who referred to Mr. Wallace (who brought the money to her home) as her “angel.”

Access to Accessible Transit!

Bronx - Paratransit Outreach teamed up with NYCT Department of Buses to bring information to hundreds of students, teachers and parents at the UFT Career Fair.

Seniors by the Sea

Brooklyn – The Paratransit Team providing shuttle and dedicated service to the seniors who attended the Brooklyn Borough President’s event at Kingsborough Community College.

Access-A-Ride Telephone Directory

Call 877-337-2017 toll free from area codes 212, 929, 646, 718, 347, 516, 631, 914, 845, 917, 332.

From all other area codes, dial 718-393-4999.  Customers who are deaf / hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or the free 711 service relay.

For assistance in English, press “1.”  If “1” is not pressed, callers will hear choices in each of the respective languages: for assistance in: Spanish, press “2.”  For assistance in Russian, Chinese, French Creole or Korean, please press “3.”  For all other languages, please press “4.”  Conversations with AAR personnel are recorded and may be monitored.

These prompts may be selected after an important announcement

is heard:

Prompt #1 – Eligibility Unit:  Appeals / Certification / Application / AAR MetroCard / Update Your Records

Prompt #2 – Trip Planning: Reservations

Prompt #3 – Trip Planning: Change your reservation

Prompt #4 – Trip Planning: Cancel your reservation

Prompt #5 – Travel Services: Help with same day service 24/7

Prompt #6 – Subscription Service

Prompt #7 – Automated System

Prompt #8 – Commendations / Questions / Complaints / Outreach Requests / Publication Requests

To repeat, please press “0.”  Hold for assistance if you do not have a touch-tone phone.