General Information about Marin Access

What is Marin Access?

Marin Access is a suite of mobility programs and services designed for older adults and people with disabilities that cannot or choose not to drive. Marin Access offerings include: ADA complementary paratransit, a volunteer driver reimbursement program, and subsidized taxi rides. Marin Access services include the Travel Navigators, Travel Training, and the Low-Income Fare Assistance program (LIFA) which provides fare assistance to those with income barriers. Two additional general public services, Connect and Dial-A-Ride services are great options for Marin Access riders that include favorable pricing and accessible service. The Marin Access suite of programs has organically grown and matured over the years and we’re excited about what the future holds for Marin Access! Visit www.marinaccess.org to learn more.

What is the difference between Marin Transit, Marin Access, and Vivalon / Whistlestop Wheels?

Marin County Transit District (Marin Transit) was formed by a vote of the people of Marin County in 1964 and was given the responsibility for providing local transit service within Marin County. Marin Transit contracts for operations and maintenance of services. Staff are directly responsible for planning, capital investments, financial management, and operations oversight. Marin Transit is financially supported by Measure AA Funds, Measure B Funds, State Transportation Development Act Funds, fares, property taxes and Federal Section 5311 rural transit funds.

Marin Access is a suite of mobility services and programs offered by Marin Transit. Marin Access Paratransit is offered through coordination between Marin Transit and Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.

Per their website, Vivalon’s mission is to promote independence, wellbeing and quality of life for older adults and people living with disabilities in Marin County. Vivalon / Whistlestop Wheels is the current contractor of Marin Access Paratransit. Vivalon / Whistlestop Wheels operates Marin Access Paratransit on behalf of Marin Transit and Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.  

What is Paratransit and who is responsible for providing this service?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all public transit operators to provide a specialized service to individuals whose disabilities prevent them from using accessible public transit. This specialized door-to-door service, called "paratransit," is required by the ADA to complement fixed-route public transit service. For this reason, it operates at similar times and in similar areas as public transportation. As public transit operators, Marin Transit and Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District are required to provide paratransit service.

In Marin County, Marin Access Paratransit is a combined effort of both Marin Transit and Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District to offer a single point of contact all for paratransit trips that begin or end in Marin County or pass through Marin on our regional service (i.e. Santa Rosa to San Francisco). This joint effort allows for seamless travel within Marin County and beyond. 

Who is eligible for paratransit?

In order to become eligible for paratransit, an applicant must demonstrate that they qualify under one or more of the following ADA eligibility criteria.

• Category I: A person with a disability who cannot navigate the transit system without assistance.
• Category II: A person with a disability who requires an accessible vehicle when one is not available.
• Category III: A person with a disability who is unable to reach the transit stop.

A rider may be determined to be eligible for paratransit on a conditional, unconditional, or temporary basis. For more information about Marin Access Paratransit, visit https://marintransit.org/paratransit.

How many rides do Demand Response programs provide a year?

Marin Access offers older adults and people with disabilities a variety of transportation options for getting around should they be unable to or choose not to drive. Demand Response programs include Paratransit, Catch-A-Ride, Dial-A-Ride and Marin Transit Connect. Demand Response programs provide approximately 165,000 rides per year pre-COVID; that includes 125,000 ADA paratransit rides.