BARTA Shared Ride and Paratransit in Berks County
BARTA Special Services in Berks County: door-to-door shared-ride and paratransit for seniors and people with disabilities, fares, and how to apply.
BARTA Special Services is a door-to-door, shared-ride van service for Berks County residents who cannot easily use the regular bus, mainly people 65 and older and people with disabilities. You call ahead to book a trip, share the van with other riders headed the same way, and pay a co-pay or reduced fare that is a fraction of the full cost.
Shared ride, also called paratransit, is different from the numbered fixed-route buses. A shared-ride trip is scheduled, picks you up at your door, and takes you where you need to go: a medical appointment, work, shopping, a senior center, or almost anywhere in the county. It is run by BARTA under the South Central Transit Authority, the same agency behind the regular buses covered in our guide to the BARTA bus.
How shared ride works
Trips are grouped by time and location, so the van may pick up and drop off other passengers along the way. It is not a taxi, it does not run non-stop, and it is not for emergencies. Because rides are batched, you reserve a trip in advance rather than calling for one on the spot.
To book, call BARTA Special Services at 610-921-2361 (or 1-800-383-2278), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Most trips need two working days' notice. Riders certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act are entitled to next-day service. You can reserve up to two weeks ahead, and a regular trip, such as a standing weekly appointment, can be set up as a recurring order. For weekend or holiday travel, leave your request on the answering machine between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Some trips can also be scheduled online through Find My Ride at FindMyRidePA.org, though not every trip can be booked that way.
Who qualifies
BARTA Special Services runs several programs. You apply once for the one that fits you, and BARTA decides eligibility within 21 days.
- Seniors 65 and older: no proof of need beyond age, and no restriction on why you travel. You pay only a co-pay; the state's Shared Ride Program covers the rest. Proof of age is required to sign up.
- ADA riders: people whose disability keeps them from independently boarding a fixed-route bus, or who live or travel within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route, qualify for the ADA program.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD), ages 18 to 64: for riders under 65 whose disability has been certified by a physician or agency.
- Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP): for people who receive Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and need rides to medical care.
- General public: anyone can ride at the full fare, space permitting.
Service covers Berks County, and some trips reach up to 10 miles beyond the county line at a higher out-of-county fare. For example, Montgomery County residents within 10 miles can be taken to the Boyertown Multi-Service Senior Center when a vehicle is available.
What it costs
Fares depend on the program and the length of the trip. Seniors and PwD riders pay a co-pay that rises with distance; ADA riders pay a flat fare; the general public pays the full cost.
| Trip distance | Senior / PwD co-pay | ADA fare | Full fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 miles | $2.65 | $3.60 | $17.50 |
| 2 to 3.99 miles | $3.40 | $3.60 | $22.50 |
| 4 to 5.99 miles | $4.15 | $3.60 | $27.50 |
| 6 to 9.99 miles | $5.80 | $3.60 | $38.50 |
| 10 to 15.99 miles | $7.20 | $3.60 | $48.00 |
| 16 miles or more | $8.40 | $3.60 | $56.00 |
| 10+ miles outside the county | $9.00 | $3.60 | $60.00 |
The senior co-pay averages about 15 percent of the trip's real cost. The ADA fare is a flat $3.60 no matter how far you go, set at twice the regular fixed-route bus fare. A personal care attendant who is certified to travel with you rides free; a companion who comes along pays the same fare as you.
How to apply
You need to be approved before your first ride. There are four ways to get an application:
- Apply online through Find My Ride at FindMyRidePA.org.
- Call BARTA Special Services at 610-921-2361 and ask for the form.
- Download the form for your program from the BARTA Special Services applications page.
- Pick one up at the BARTA office, 1700 N. 11th St., Reading.
Return it by mail or fax (610-921-0209) to that address, or email it to applications@sctapa.com. Bring proof of age for the senior program; PwD applicants need a physician's or agency's certification of disability. BARTA decides within 21 days.
What happens if you miss a ride
Cancel any trip you cannot take. BARTA asks ADA riders to call and cancel at least one hour before the scheduled pickup. A trip you neither cancel nor take counts as a no-show, which can affect your service, so call 610-921-2361 as soon as your plans change.
FAQ
How is shared ride different from the free senior bus rides?
Riders 65 and older ride the regular fixed-route buses free through the Pennsylvania Lottery-funded Senior Citizens Free Ride Program. Shared ride is the separate door-to-door van service, and seniors pay a small co-pay for it because it costs far more to run than a fixed route.
How far ahead do I have to book a BARTA shared ride?
Most trips need two working days' notice. ADA-certified riders can get next-day service. You can reserve up to two weeks ahead, and set up recurring trips as standing orders.
How much does BARTA Special Services cost?
Seniors and riders in the disability program pay a co-pay from $2.65 for a trip under two miles to $8.40 for 16 miles or more. ADA riders pay a flat $3.60 each way. The general public pays the full fare, $17.50 to $56.00 by distance.
Can I use shared ride to get to a doctor's appointment?
Yes. Medical trips are one of the most common uses. If you receive Medical Assistance, the MATP program may cover medical rides; otherwise the senior, ADA, or PwD program applies.
Does the van pick me up at my door?
Yes. Shared ride is door-to-door. Because trips are grouped, the driver may stop for other riders on the way, so allow extra travel time compared with a direct trip.
Sources and contact
- What is BARTA Special Services and its fares
- ADA Program and applications
- Senior Shared Ride Program
- Find My Ride and the South Central Transit Authority
BARTA Special Services: 610-921-2361 or 1-800-383-2278. Office: 1700 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19604. Email: barta@bartabus.com.
Riders who use shared ride may also qualify for help at home; see our guide to the Berks County Area Agency on Aging, and our overview of how Berks County government works, which sorts out who runs transit, the county, and the state.
Sources
The public records this story is reported from.