Nevada County Now Paratransit Services

Paratransit Services

The County of Nevada Transit Services administers an origin-to-destination/door-to-door paratransit service for persons with disabilities who, due to a mental or physical disability, are unable to use the fixed-route bus system, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The paratransit service is provided by Nevada County Now.

Additional services include Senior 65+ On-Demand Dial-a-Ride as well as Nevada County Now Sunday Service which is sponsored by the Agency on Aging Area 4 (AAA4).

In order to become eligible for paratransit service, a passenger must complete an ADA application form and be certified as eligible. Forms are available through the Nevada County Transit Office (530) 477-0103, or toll-free (888)-660-7433, and through Nevada County Now at (530) 271-7433 or toll-free (855) 314-7433. See tabs below for specific eligibility requirements and forms. 

Service Area

The service area includes Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, and other local areas. Please click on the following link to view a map of the paratransit or Nevada County Now Service Area.

Reservations for Paratransit Trips

  • Reservations must be made the day before the requested ride or up to several days in advance. 
  • There is no same-day service. 
  • Reservations are made by calling Nevada County Now at (530) 271-7433 or toll-free at (855) 314-7433. 
  • You will be asked to make a reservation for the return trip at the same time you make your original reservation. 

ADA Paratransit Service Application

Considerate Passenger Policies

SERVICE ALERT - For public safety, face masks are highly recommended to be worn at all times when traveling on public transportation.

For those community members who are using our system we respectfully request that all passengers observe the following CDC recommended precautions to prevent the spread of illnesses:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after riding public transit. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Stay six feet away from other people.
  • Stay home if you are sick. IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL, DO NOT TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Call your healthcare provider before you leave your home and follow their guidance.

While Nevada County Now operations are increasing cleaning and sanitization, following these recommendations is the best way to prevent the spread of illnesses onboard. 

Eligibility 

Eligibility for ADA paratransit service is directly related to the inability of a person with a disability to use the existing regularly scheduled fixed-route buses. It is not just based on the presence of a disability, but on the effect that the disability has on the person’s ability to independently use the fixed-route system. Requirements for paratransit do not apply to commuter bus service. Several factors must be considered when determining ADA paratransit eligibility. These include:

Individual Disability Any individual with a disability who is unable, as the result of physical or mental impairment (including a vision impairment), and without the assistance of another individual (except the operator of a wheelchair lift or other boarding assistance device), to board, ride, or disembark from any vehicle on the system which is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Limited Accessibility of the Fixed Route System Any individual with a disability who is unable to independently board, ride, or disembark from an accessible vehicle when the system is not fully accessible*. *When the lift cannot be deployed at the boarding or disembarking location the person with a disability wishes to use, or a required mobility device such as a wheelchair cannot be accommodated.

Environmental & Architectural Barriers Individuals whose disability PREVENTS them from traveling to boarding or disembarking location (Example: steep terrain, extreme temperatures, severe air pollution, or inability to negotiate architectural barriers to reach a specific bus stop) this is considered conditional eligibility and a person may be eligible for only some trips. Architectural barriers not under the control of Nevada County Transit and environmental barriers (e.g., distance, terrain, weather) do not, standing alone, form a basis for eligibility under this paragraph. The interaction of such barriers with an individual’s specific impairment-related condition may form a basis for eligibility under this paragraph if the effect is to prevent the individual from traveling to a boarding location or from a disembarking location.

ADA Paratransit Service Type

Once an application has been reviewed and the applicant has met one or more of the requirements above, then a determination is made regarding that person’s eligibility for using the ADA paratransit system. Eligibility for Nevada County’s ADA Paratransit Service (Nevada County Now) is classified as one of the following:

Unconditional Service: An individual who is unable to use the fixed-route bus system under any conditions without the assistance of another individual (except the operator of a wheelchair lift). 

Conditional Service: An individual who cannot travel to or from a boarding or disembarking location, or who is unable to use the fixed-route system under some circumstances. Eligibility for service in this category will be determined on an individual trip-by-trip basis. 

Temporary Conditional Service: An individual who, due to a temporary condition (i.e. broken leg/hip, use of a walker during rehabilitation), cannot travel to or from a boarding or disembarking location, or who is unable to use the fixed-route system under some circumstances for a specific period of time. Eligibility for service in this category will be determined on an individual trip-by-trip basis. 

Visitors: Visitors who are currently certified for ADA service in another county, or who have a verifiable, limiting disability are entitled to comparable service within Nevada County. Nevada County Now service can begin once verification has been made. An application may be required if service is required more than 21 days in a calendar year.

Beyond ADA (Supplemental) Service: Nevada County, via Nevada County Now, provides supplemental paratransit service up to 3/4 of a mile beyond the mandated ¾ mile ADA service area boundary. This service is provided on a limited basis depending on operational capacity. Individuals requesting Beyond ADA service area trips must be ADA certified. Please note that trips originating or terminating in the Beyond ADA service area will be prioritized for medical appointments due to the limited service capacity.