ADA & Accessibility

ADA & Accessibility

MTA strives to make reasonable modifications to our policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.  We make every effort to accommodate customers where possible, as long as it does not fundamentally alter the nature of our service, create a direct threat to the health and safety of others, or cause an undue financial burden.

Customers may describe what they need in order to use our service at any time via the following Customer Comment process:

  • Complete a Comment Card available on our vehicles or click here for an online form
  • Call Customer Service: 360-427-5033/1-800-374-3747 or TTY/Relay
  • Email: mta@masontransit.org

If a customer requests a reasonable modification from a bus driver during transit, in some situations the driver may need to consult with MTA’s dispatch prior to granting or denying a request.

To view or download MTA’s ADA Policy click here.

Are MTA buses ADA accessible?

Yes!  All MTA’s buses are ADA accessible. Our buses feature ramps and lifts to make boarding easier for people who have difficulty climbing steps or use mobility devices.  All mobility devices — devices with three or more wheels and usable indoors, designed or modified for and used by people with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered — are welcome aboard.  Our buses also feature locations on the buses specially designed to secure wheelchairs.  Lifts can accommodate a maximum width of 31″ wheelchairs, this is includes the handrails for a manual wheelchair.  Drivers receive special training to safely assist you on board.  They do not operate powered wheelchairs.  Additionally, MTA drivers will call out timepoints to help notify visually impaired riders of their current location.

Are service animals allowed on buses?

Yes! Service animals are welcome to ride on MTA buses. We would appreciate it if you would tell us in advance that a service animal will accompany you when you request your ride. Service animals must behave as service animals (if not they may be asked to leave the bus), or they will need to be transported as pets. Pets can be transported but must be in a proper pet carrier. Passengers are responsible for loading and unloading pets and service animals.

What is a service animal?

According to Washington State RCW 49.60.218 a service animal is defined as: (a) “Service animal” means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability…. other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability…

Federal law also only recognizes dogs as service animals.

Personal Care Attendant

If you require a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to assist you while you travel due to a disability, your PCA is eligible to ride fare-free.  You must carry a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card that denotes the requirement for  a PCA to ride with you.  The PCA must get on and get off the bus at the same locations as you in order to ride fare-free when a fare would normally be charged.

Regional Reduced Fare Permit

If you’re a senior, or person with a disability, or have a Medicare card, you can ride for less when you use public transportation services to travel around Puget Sound.  The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) is an ID card that entitles you to discount fares on 15 transportation systems throughout the Puget Sound region.  All have wheelchair accessible services.  Just show your card when boarding the ferries or any fixed bus route.  Most agencies also provide curb-to-curb paratransit services or other demand-response services for those unable to use regular route buses due to disability.  Having a RRFP does not qualify you for paratransit services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Personal care attendants ride free when accompanying a person with a RRFP.

Any participating agency can issue you an RRFP.  An application and proof of eligibility is required. Upon approval, a $3.00 processing fee is required for the RRFP ID card to be issued.  To apply for one through MTA, applications can be found online or can be requested by calling Customer Service at 360-427-5033, 800-374-3747, or TTY WA Relay 711.  Applications must be submitted in person at the Transit-Community Center Customer Service Lobby, located at 601 West Franklin St, Shelton, WA 98584.

Regional Reduced Fare Permit Resources Links

Below are links to files in PDF file format.  If you are unable to access PDF files, please contact our administration office by calling 360-426-9434 or 800-374-3747, or email mta@masontransit.org, to request accessible copies.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. The current text of the ADA includes changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADA was originally enacted in public law format and later rearranged and published in the United States Code.

Interpreter Services

If you need assistance communicating with Mason Transit Authority because of a hearing disability please click here for information on interpreters and interpreter services.  The Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides the Washington Relay Service, a free service, to ensure equal communication access to telephone services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and speech-disabled.   For more information on Washington Relay Service, please visit their web site at www.washingtonrelay.com.

Language interpretation services are also available in over 350 different languages. Please contact customer service at 360-427-5033 or 800-374-3747 for further assistance.

ADA Discrimination or Violation?

If you feel you have been discriminated against or experienced an ADA violation and would like to file a formal complaint, please click here for complaint submission information.