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MET Plus (ADA)
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MET Plus (ADA) transit services are designed to provide independance and mobility to those who are not able to naviagate the fixed route bus system without assistance. Services are on-demand, origin to destination, and require certification to utilize.
Certification Process for MET-Plus
Instructions
The MET Plus Application is comprised of two sections. The first section must be filled out by the applicant or representative for the applicant. The second section of the application must be filled out a medical professional that can best assess the applicants ability to utilize the MET fixed route system.
Some applicants may benefit from MET's free travel training program. This program provides training for any individual that has not ridden the fixed route. Travel training covers aspects of riding the bus as well as navigating the schedule. For more information, call (406) 657-8218.Eligibility
MET Plus Transportation eligibility determination will be made, and the applicant will be notified in writing within 21 days after both the properly completed application form and the Professional Verification form have been returned.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the basic standard for determining eligibility is not whether a disabling condition exists but, whether (or under what circumstances) the applicant's disabling condition prevents them from using the regular MET fixed route bus service. In some cases, MET Plus Transportation eligibility is established for only certain circumstances. Visitors from out of town who are certified ADA-eligible by another transit provider may temporarily qualify for service without being required to fill out an application; if you are visiting, please contact MET Transit for details.Overview
The fare for being transported by MET Plus Transportation is $3.50 for each one-way ride.
Fares may be paid with cash, check, or credit card (at the MET office or over the phone). Clients may pay on a ride by ride basis or they may choose to put additional fares on their individual account balance. Account balances will be deducted from each time a client rides with MET Plus Transportation.
Overview
Call (406) 657-8218 to request rides. MET Plus Transportation rides are scheduled on a first come, first served basis to ensure that eligible individuals have an equal chance to use the service.
To request rides, call (406) 657-8218 between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. No requests for rides will be accepted after 5:00 pm or on Saturday. Telephone answering service is available, on Sunday and holidays between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm to request rides for the next day.
MET Plus rides can also be scheduled via our Ecolane Mobile App or Ecolane Self Service web portal. Please contact MET Plus Transportation for access to our mobile app or our web portal.
Call Example
"This is (name). I live at (address). On (date) I need a ride from my home (or other location) to (destination). I want to be there by (time) and I'd like to return from there at (time)." Then tell the dispatcher the following information that applies to you:
- Whether help is needed from your door to the van or from van to door of destination.
- Whether you use a wheelchair, scooter or walker.
- Whether you have a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) with you.
During the phone call, the dispatcher may let you know your pick-up and return times, or may call you back later with that information.
A time for the return trip is scheduled in advance unless it is for a medical appointment where you do not know when you will be done. In that case you should request your return ride to be listed as a To-Be-Scheduled (TBS). When you are listed as a TBS for a return ride, you are to call MET Plus Transportation at (406) 657-8218 when you are ready to return. The next available vehicle will be dispatched to pick up as soon as possible.
Hours of Operation
Weekdays: Monday - Friday from 5:50 AM to 6:40 PM local time
Saturdays: From 8:10 AM - 6:10 PM local time.
Service is not available on Sundays and the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Overview
Met Plus Transportation ADA complementary paratransit service is curb-to-curb service. MET Plus Transportation staff asks that passengers be ready for pick up at the curb.
If help is needed from the door to the vehicle, you may request door-to-door service. We will not provide door-to-door service if barriers such as stairs, ramps, doors, snow, and ice prevent us from helping you to the vehicle. We ask that you request door-to-door service; MET Plus Transportation staff may make an on-site examination.
The following guidelines will be followed to allow door-to-door service to be provided safely and efficiently:
- Drivers will provide assistance to and from the ground floor of homes and destinations.
- Drivers will not enter private homes for any reason.
- Drivers will assist passengers into and from the main entrance door of hospitals, offices, and shops. If there is a main entrance foyer with two sets of doors, the driver will assist passengers through the second door. Drivers will not assist passengers past this point.
- Drivers will not enter nursing homes, medical facilities, shopping centers, businesses, or other public buildings in an attempt to find passengers.
- Drivers will not carry passengers up or down steps.
Arrival Times
MET Plus Transportation makes every effort to arrive as close to the scheduled pick-up time as possible. However, the vehicle may arrive up to 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. This 30 minute period of time (of 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after scheduled time) is defined as the pick-up time window and passengers need to be ready to go anytime within that time window.
Drivers, after arriving within that pick-up time window, can wait for five minutes after vehicle arrival. Any passenger who is not at their scheduled pick-up point and ready to go at that time will be left behind for the driver to continue with their other scheduled rides. The driver will not be able to return for a second attempt.
MET Plus transportation offers both text message alerts and mobile app push notifications to alert a passenger of their upcoming pick up window. Please call 406-657-8218 if you are interested in receiving these notifications.
Service Area
The service area is defined as within the Billings city limits and within 3/4 mile of a MET Transit regular fixed bus route.