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Access

The Interurban Trolley Access provides a way for persons whose physical or mental disabilities prevent them from using the Interurban Trolley bus to travel in Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana. The Interurban Trolley Access uses accessible minivans equipped with ramps for wheelchair access.

10-Ride Punch Card

All 10-Ride Punch Cards that are purchased on the Interurban Trolley website are processed through PayPal. Payments accepted include all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) or your PayPal account. Changes made online will appear as "PAYPAL*MACOG" on your billing statements. All Interurban Trolley 10-Ride Punch Cards are non-transferrable and non-refundable.

All punch cards are shipped via USPS or UPS. Please allow up to 5–7 business days for the shipment of passes ordered online. Express shipping is not available. MACOG is not responsible for lost or damaged mail. Purchaser assumes all risks and liabilities for online purchases. MACOG ships to all 50 states in the United States with the following rates:

1–20 items / $1.00
21–50 items / $1.25
51 items or more / $1.50

Service Area

The Interurban Trolley Access Corridor is defined as a continuous 1.5 miles corridor around the Interurban Trolley fixed route service area, except for the portion of the Yellow Line Mishawaka/Elkhart Route between the Twin Branch Park area and Mishawaka Transfer Center. This portion of the Yellow Line recieves ADA Paratransit coverage from South Bend Transpo's Access Service.

Accessibility

The Interurban Trolley Access service uses accessible low-floor minivans and MV-1s equipped with side-entry ramps for easy ambulatory access to the vehicle. All wheelchairs are secured with a six-point system — this includes a four-point securement of the wheelchair and securement of the passenger with a shoulder belt and a lap belt extension. The vans can accommodate one wheelchair and have seats available for additional riders.

All riders must wear seatbelts according to state law. If traveling with a young child, you must provide your own car seat. Access reserves the right to refuse service to riders with children not in car seats.

Riders requiring the use of respirators, concentrators or personal oxygen during their trip will be allowed on board the Access Vans if the equipment can be safely transported and be under the rider's control during the trip. Only one oxygen tank is allowed at one time.

To request a reasonable accommodation or file an ADA complaint, click here.

Rider's Guide

Service Hours

The Interurban Trolley Access operates the same hours as the Interurban Trolley:
• Monday–Friday | 5:00am to 8:00pm
• Saturday | 5:00am to 7:00pm

Pick-up times cannot be made earlier than 5:00 am or later than 7:30 pm Monday through Friday and 6:30 pm on Saturday.

The Interurban Trolley Access does not operate on Sundays and major holidays including:
• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

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Scheduling a Trip

Once you receive your Interurban Trolley Access ADA Card, you are eligible to ride. Please call 574-674-2345 to schedule a trip.

When scheduling a trip, riders will be asked to provide:
• Your name
• Your address
• Your telephone number
• Complete name and address for pick-up and drop-off location

Trips can be scheduled between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Trips must be scheduled in advance by 4:00pm one business day before.

Trips for Saturday and Monday must be scheduled no later than 4:00pm the Friday before. Any trips for the day after a holiday, must be scheduled no later than 4:00pm the business day before the holiday.

If you need to cancel your trip please do so at least one hour before, otherwise you will be considered a No Show. Riders with reoccurring No-Shows may be suspended from the Interurban Trolley Access Service.

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Taking a Trip

All riders must be ready 30 minutes prior to the confirmed pick-up time. Your Access ride is considered on time if it arrives 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after the time you originally requested. This is because Access is a shared ride service and departure times must be flexible to accommodate the greatest number of riders.

Once the van arrives, after the driver announces their arrival, the van will only wait up to 5 minutes for you to be ready, otherwise your trip will be canceled and you will be considered a no show.

Access operates as a Door-to-Door service. The driver will assist you, if requested, from the outermost exterior door of your residence or up to two sets of doors in public buildings to the van. If you're in a manual wheelchair the driver may assist you over one curb or step, but under no circumstances will a driver assist with moving electric wheelchairs. The driver must also never leave the line of sight of their vehicle. You may ask the driver to assist carry up to two small bags or packages totaling up to 20 pounds that can be completed on one trip.

When you board at the van, give the driver your Interurban Trolley Access ADA Card, photo ID, along with your fare in exact change or pre-purchased 10-Ride Punch Card. The driver will swipe the card to verify your trip before your ride begins. If you need a receipt ask the driver while you pay your fare and you will receive one.

Since only pre-scheduled trips may be taken, you may only ride to the destination you requested to the dispatcher when you made your reservation the day before your trip. When your ride is completed, please be sure to carry all your personal belongings with you when you exit the vehicle (or ask the driver for assistance), the driver will assist you to the outermost door at your destination.

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Fares

The Interurban Trolley Access fare is $2.00 for each one-way trip within the designated corridor. Trips must begin and end in the Paratransit ADA Corridor for the trip to be eligible for the service.

Your assistant, friend, or relative may ride with you free of charge (please make sure to tell the dispatcher). If you have additional passengers, the cost is 40 cents for each adult rider after the second rider and 20 cents for each child after the second rider. Exact change is required. The driver cannot make change. If you don't have exact change your ride may be refused (unless you're willing to overpay for your ride) and your trip will be considered a denied trip.

There are no wait times. After each stop, a new ($2.00) fare will be paid for each one-way trip. Each trip (and individual stop) must be scheduled prior to 4:00pm the day before, at least one business day in advance.

All fares can be pre-purchased using a 10-ride punch card.

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10-Ride Punch Card

The Interurban Trolley Access also offers 10 Ride Punch Cards in addition to the regular $2.00 fare per one-way trips.

Point of Sale Locations

Riders can purchase the 10 Ride Punch card in the following ways:

Online

All 10 Ride Punch Cards can be purchased online using a major credit card via Paypal.

In Person

Day passes can be purchased in person at the following Martin's Supermarket locations in Elkhart and Goshen:

Elkhart Locations

Martin's Supermarket at 1200 N. Nappanee StMartin's Supermarket at 120 Sanford School East RdMartin's Supermarket at 201 Concord Mall Dr

Goshen Locations

Martin's Supermarket at 1527 Bashor RdMartin's Express at 1401 College Ave

Phone

Please contact the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) at 574-674-8894 to purchase 10 Ride Punch Cards in bulk by check. All passes will be mailed by MACOG.

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Eligibility

Am I Eligible?

The Interurban Trolley buses are ramp-equipped; however, if you are disabled and unable to use the bus, you may be eligible to use the ADA Paratransit service.

You must complete an application documenting your disability and the reasons you are unable to ride the Interurban Trolley fixed-route bus service.

Anyone who wishes to use the Interurban Trolley Access must apply and be found eligible prior to using the ADA Paratransit service. The Interurban Trolley Access ADA Card is free.

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How do I Apply?

You may call 574-674-8894 to request an ADA Eligibility Application or click "Paratransit ADA Application" and mail your completed application to the address below:

Interurban Trolley Access
227 W. Jefferson Blvd.
1120 County-City Building
South Bend, IN 46601

You may be required to provide a physician’s verification of your disability for the Interurban Trolley Access ADA Card.


Print Application: English | Spanish

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Replacement ADA Cards

If you have lost your Access ADA Card and would like to request a new one, you can call 574-674-8894 or write to the address listed above. You must have your Interurban Trolley Access ADA card with you when you ride. Worn cards will be exchanged free of charge.

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Visitors

If you have already been approved for Paratransit service by another operator in the United States, your Paratransit card from that agency will be accepted on a short-term visitor's basis on Interurban Trolley Access Service. Please contact MACOG at 574-674-8894 in advance of your trip for further information.

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