ADA Services
MetroLift
Jump to the following sections:
- General Information about Detroit MetroLift Paratransit Service
- Application to Determine ADA Paratransit Eligibility
- MetroLift's Frequently Asked Questions
General Information about Detroit MetroLift Paratransit Service
Detroit MetroLift services the same routes as regular DDOT buses. The smaller Detroit MetroLift paratransit vehicles will travel up to 3/4 of a mile off the fixed route to provide more direct, curb-to-curb pickup and delivery to the destination. This service is considered a "safety net" to compliment the regular bus service for persons whose disabilities warrant eligibility for paratransit service.
Eligibility & Certifications
Determination of eligibility for MetroLift service is based on detailed information you provide concerning your travel capabilities after you complete and submit an eligibility application form. Once you are certified as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Paratransit eligible, your certification may be used locally or nationally (with certain conditions) on other transit systems' paratransit services.
Persons with another transit system's ADA certification who wish to use Detroit MetroLift ADA services for more than 21 days must apply for DDOT certification. Being approved as DDOT eligible will not cancel or alter your ADA certification status with other transit systems.
In order to ensure timely and reliable service for all our customers, no same-day reservations are allowed.
Scheduling and Service
Call (313) 933-1300 between 8:00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m., Monday through Sunday and holidays. Reservations are made 1-8 days in advance on a first-come, first-served basis without regard to the purpose of the trip.
You may make both destination and return-trip reservations with one phone call. For return trips, it is extremely important that you return to the exact location where you were picked up.
All passengers will be assigned pickup times. The Detroit MetroLift driver has a 20 minute "window" around the designated time of arrival. This means that the Detroit MetroLift vehicle may arrive 10 minutes before or after the schedule time and will still be considered "on time."
The Detroit MetroLift service is available throughout the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Detroit MetroLift service is available 24 hours a day along DDOT routes that operate 24 hours. Paratransit Fare is $2.50 each way. No other discounts apply.
Notification
Within 21 days after receipt of your completed application, you will receive written notification of your status for Detroit MetroLift ADA Paratransit service. If determination of your eligibility cannot be made within the 21-day period, you will receive temporary ADA paratransit service eligibility until a final determination is made.
Once approved, you will receive an ID card, valid for up to five years, that you must present each time you use the Detroit MetroLift service. If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, please call (313) 813-9174 (this local call requires you to include 1 and the area code).
Service Conditions
In conjunction with the DDOT Local Advisory Council (LAC) and a citizen's advisory group comprised of disabled passengers and interested parties, DDOT has established the following no-show and late cancellation policy:
- No Show: Any scheduled trip for which the passenger fails to show up, refuses to take when the driver arrives at the curb, or fails to a call to cancel within 2 hours of the scheduled pickup time.
- Late Cancellations: Any cancellation received less that 2 hours before the scheduled pickup time (classified a "no show").
Suspension of Service
Participation in ADA Paratransit Service may be suspended or cancelled for passengers who willfully abuse policies that are designed to ensure safe, efficient service for its passengers, drivers and the public. These policies include abuse of the "no show" and late cancellation policies, disregard for personal safety and that of fellow passengers, refusal to use mandatory wheelchair locks, and interference with Detroit MetroLift vehicle operation. PCAs and guest companions must travel the same origins and destinations as the ADA-certified rider. Certified PCAs ride free. Guests pay full MetroLift rider fare on a "space available" basis and are subject to being bumped in favor of disabled riders. When applying for eligibility, you must indicate your need for a PCA.
TDD/TTY
8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Monday - Sunday and Holidays
(313) 834-3434
After-hours (Voice/TDY)
4:00 p.m.- 8:00 a.m., Monday - Sunday and Holidays
(313) 849-0610
Cancelling reservations: (313) 933-1300
