(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADA Complementary Paratransit Service Standards. Regulatory requirements for the special transit service imposed by the federal government pursuant to 49 CFR Subtitle A, § 37.131.
Agency-Sponsored Fare. A fare for a one-way passenger trip on the special transit service paid for in whole or in part by a qualified human service organization, as defined in this section.
Agency Trip. A one-way passenger trip taken by a paratransit eligible individual to the site of a program administered by a qualified human service organization, as defined in this section, for trips guaranteed to the organization.
Core Service Area. The corridor extending a width of .75 of a mile on each side of a fixed route. The corridor includes the area within a .75 of a mile radius of either terminus of a fixed route. The corridor also includes an area of not more than 1 square mile that does not fall within a corridor, but is entirely surrounded by corridors.
Qualified Human Service Organization. An organization that serves persons who qualify for human service or transportation-related programs or services due to disability, income, or advanced age and whose services to such persons include the purchase of agency-sponsored fares, and receives funding, directly or indirectly from the programs listed in Appendix A of 49 CFR Part 604.
(b) Single fare.
(1) Any person issued a paratransit eligibility identification card under § 15B-4.3 and any person accompanying the ADA paratransit eligible individual shall pay a fare of $2.25 per person per one-way passenger trip either in cash, by coupon, or by city payment card programmed for the paratransit fare, except as provided in § 15B-2.6. Revenues from the fare will be deposited into the transportation fund.
(2) There is established herein a paratransit fare program for individuals with extremely low incomes as follows:
(A) Individuals who have received an eligibility letter from the Social Security Administration for benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program are eligible for the reduced paratransit fare upon the presentation of the Supplemental Security Income eligibility letter to the department.
(B) Individuals whose household incomes meet the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for households with extremely low income within the city for the applicable household size, may also qualify for the reduced paratransit fare through application to the department of community services as provided hereinbelow:
(i) The department of community services shall be responsible for the intake and processing of applications, determination of eligibility, and communication of an applicant’s eligibility to the department;
(ii) The application form must be prescribed and furnished by the director of community services;
(iii) The director of community services may require proof of age, total household income, and household size, and proof may include but is not limited to true copies of personal income tax returns, bank statements, or other financial records;
(iv) The director of community services may require authorization from the household to enable the director to fully verify household income;
(v) The director of community services shall determine whether an applicant qualifies for the reduced transit fare within 60 days of receipt of the completed application, and the decision of the director of community services will be final; and
(vi) The determination of eligibility will remain in effect for the period of one year.
(C) Eligible individuals shall receive a city payment card programmed with a paratransit fare cap of $2 for a one-way trip.
(D) The department of community services may adopt rules in accordance with HRS Chapter 91 and having the force and effect of law to implement the paratransit fare program established by this subsection.
(3) Any person to whom a current paratransit eligibility identification card has been issued under § 15B-4.3 shall pay a single ride fare in accordance with § 15B-2.1 to ride a transit bus or city rail system, either by using a programmed city payment card or, for the city bus system, payment may also be made in cash upon display to the bus operator of the paratransit eligibility identification card; except that the single ride fare must not apply when a special event fare is charged under § 15B-2.1.
(c) Fares for services that exceed ADA complementary paratransit service standards.
(1) The department may charge a premium fee in addition to the single fare for a one-way passenger trip on the special transit service for services that exceed ADA complementary paratransit service standards, including but not limited to the following:
(A) Same-day one-way passenger trip reservations by paratransit eligible individuals;
(B) Passenger trip reservations by paratransit eligible individuals to or from locations outside the core service area for the special transit service; and
(C) Passenger trip reservations by paratransit eligible individuals outside the hours and days of fixed route service regularly provided by the city bus system.
(2) The department may negotiate with a qualified human service organization and charge a fare higher than the single fare for agency-sponsored fares and agency trips, provided that the fare charged cannot exceed applicable rules set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for paratransit services.
(d) A programmed city payment card will be issued to paratransit eligibility ID holders for the reduced fare on the city bus system and city rail system for paratransit eligibility ID holders as specified in § 15B-2.1. The reduced fare is not applicable when fares for special event services are charged or for rides on the city paratransit system. Use of this programmed city payment card is subject to § 15B-2.7. In the event of loss or theft, the person to whom the programmed city payment card was issued shall notify the department immediately. Thereafter, the programmed city payment card issued to that person will be invalidated, and a replacement programmed city payment card may be issued to that person upon payment of the fee for a replacement card as specified in § 2-12.2.
(e) A personal care attendant shall pay no fare at any time when accompanying an ADA paratransit eligible individual and performing services as the individual’s personal care attendant.