Language access
Language translation and document translation services are available free of charge during the application, eligibility, and scheduling processes.
Submit an inquiry
You can submit an inquiry online via the inquiry form, or by phone, to begin the eligibility process.
If you have questions, please call our Eligibility Unit.
Complete the paper application form
Once your inquiry is received, you’ll be mailed an AAR application packet that includes:
- A printed paper application, which you should complete and bring with you to the assessment
- An appointment letter, noting the date, time, and location for your in-person assessment
- Instructions for scheduling free round-trip transportation
- When booking your transportation, please mention if you will be traveling with a Personal Care Attendant (PCA). No fare is charged for you or the PCA.
Attend your assessment
New applicants and recertifying customers alike must go to an assessment center. At the assessment, you'll meet with a healthcare professional for a personal interview and, if appropriate, undergo functional testing. This assessment helps AAR understand your travel abilities and determine the most appropriate eligibility status.
Assessments are conducted at centers in each borough. Based on availability, assessments will be conducted at a center located in your borough of residence, or within the five boroughs of NYC.
Personal Care Attendants (PCA)
Inform staff if you travel with a Personal Care Attendant (PCA). PCAs assist with personal duties that drivers are not permitted to perform and travel free of charge to and from the assessment center, when accompanying the applicant or recertifying customer.
Receive your eligibility decision
A decision about your eligibility for the AAR service is made within 21 days of your assessment. If you’re found eligible, you will receive an eligibility notification letter noting your eligibility status and your AAR ID number, as well a copy of the Guide to AAR which gives you more information abojut AAR service.
If you’re denied eligibility or receive conditional eligibility, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days. An appeal form and instructions on how to appeal will be included with your eligibility notification letter.
Types of eligibility
Customers may have more than one eligibility category.
- Full: eligible to use AAR for all trips.
- Temporary full: eligible to use AAR for all trips during a limited time.
- Continual: ongoing use of AAR for all trips, with no required recertification. Every 5 years, the customer must complete a form to update their information.
- Ineligible: does not meet the eligibility criteria for AAR service.
- Conditional: eligible to use AAR service only under specific circumstances, such as extreme weather, mobility limitations related to terrain, or inaccessible subway stations.
- Temporary conditional: eligible to use AAR service under specific conditions for a limited time.
Conditional eligibility categories
Customers may have one or more of the following eligibility categories. If you have conditional eligibility, you may only reserve AAR trips when your disability and/or specific impairment-related conditions prevent you from using fixed-route buses or subways.
Stairs restricted
You may travel by AAR only when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
Extreme cold
You may travel by AAR only when the temperature is forecast to be 39°F or below on the day of travel.
Extreme heat
You may travel by AAR only when the temperature is forecast to be 90°F or above on the day of travel.
Extreme cold and stairs restricted
You may travel by AAR when the temperature is forecast to be 39°F or below on the day of travel, and/or when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
Extreme heat and stairs restricted
You may travel by AAR when the temperature is forecast to be 90° or above on the day of travel, and/or when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
Unfamiliar places (navigational)
You may travel by AAR only when unfamiliar with transit routes to the trip destination due to a cognitive or visual impairment. AAR may not be used for routes with which the customer is familiar.
Distance
You may travel by AAR for trips that require travel to a bus stop or subway station that is more than the number of blocks specified in the customer’s eligibility.
Recertifying for Access-A-Ride
If you have full or conditional eligibility, you must recertify every five years. If you have temporary eligibility, you can recertify once your limited time has expired.
f you have continual eligibility, you are not required to reapply, but you will be sent a form to update your information. The completed form must be promptly returned to the Department of Paratransit to extend your eligibility for an additional five years.
If you do not receive a recertification notice, unless you were temporarily eligible, contact Eligibility staff about six weeks before the expiration date on your AAR ID to begin the process.
Visitors to New York City
New York City Transit provides visitors, who are eligible for paratransit within their own state or city, with AAR service while in New York City.
Visitors should contact AAR’s Eligibility Unit at least 2 weeks before their arrival and staff will provide guidance on how to submit their information.
AAR visitor service is available for up to 21 days in a 365-day period.
Where to submit your information
Fax: 718-393-4306
Email: EDUCI@nyct.com
You can also mail documentation to the Department of Paratransit:
AAR Eligibility
Department of Paratransit
130 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
What to submit for a Visitor Request
- Proof of paratransit eligibility: A copy of your paratransit ID card or other equivalent paratransit eligibility documentation issued by the provider in your area, or both proof of disability and proof of residency outside of New York City.
- A legible, dated letter noting your disability and signed by a doctor or rehabilitation professional is acceptable proof.
- Personal information: Name, birth date, home address, and home, cell, and/or business phone numbers
- Visitor information: Your address (including cross streets), telephone number, and emergency contact (name and telephone numbers) while in New York City
- Travel information:
- Whether you will travel with a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), guest, or both
- If you use a service animal
- If you use a cane, walker, crutches, wheelchair, scooter or other equipment
- If you need the driver to call out your name when the vehicle arrives, because of a visual impairment
- If you need information in large print, Braille or recorded format