Dial-A-Ride is a service for persons with disabilities who are ADA-certified to use paratransit.  This section features information about Marin's Whistlestop Wheels Paratransit.  For more information you can visit the Whistlestop Wheels Intercounty Paratransit site at http://www.goldengatetransit.org/accessibility/InterCoParatransitHB.html.

Marin Local Paratransit

Eligibility
To use Paratransit Services, all patrons must be certified eligible under criteria set forth by the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA. To be eligible, the applicant must have a condition that prevents the use of public fixed route transit (Golden Gate Transit, for example). To receive an application or for more information, please call (415) 454-0964. You can visit Whistlestop Wheels official site at http://www.mscc.org/wheels.html.

To Schedule Rides
Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis seven days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 PM by calling the Whistlestop Wheels transportation office at (515) 454-0964.  Trips may be scheduled up to a maximum of seven days in advance.  Trips are booked on a first come, first served basis with no priority given to the type or purpose of trip.  The fare for all trips is $1.25, payable at boarding.  Professional assistants may travel with clients free of charge.  Passengers may also bring one other person with them at the regular fare.  More than one person riding along may be accommodated on a space available basis.  When calling to schedule your ride please have ready at hand:

• The day and date you want to travel.
• The time of your appointment (if any) and the time you will want to return.
• The exact physical address of your destination.
• And a contact phone number if possible.

Hours of Operation
Whistlestop Wheels operates seven days a week, From 5:00 AM to Midnight.

Inter-County Paratransit

Service Between Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco Counties.  The eligibility criteria are the same as the Local Paratransit Service.

To Schedule Rides
The scheduling procedures for inter-county service are the same as for local paratransit.  The fare for inter-county service varies depending on the length of the trip. Please see the table below for the base fares applicable to most trips. Trips that extend beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District's Required ADA service area are subject to additional charges.  For fare information on specific trips, calls (415) 454-0964 or 800-454-0964 if outside Marin.  Whistlestop Wheels Inter-county Paratransit Fares do not include any surcharges for service beyond Golden Gate Transits 3/4 mile required ADA service area.

Hours of Operation
Operates the same days and times as local paratransit. There is some variation in times and days of operation depending on your point of origin or destination. Call for specific details.

To Schedule Rides
Reservations are accepted up to three weeks in advance on a first come, first served basis by calling the Health Express number at (415) 457-1392.  The Novato Health Express can only accept reservations for appointments with Doctors only.  Sorry, no dentists, physical therapists, etc.  Trips are provided free of charge for the appointments

Hours of Operation
Service is offered Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Phone Numbers

Transportation Office
Registration and Scheduling for local and inter-county paratransit.

Marin - (415) 454-0964
Outside of Marin County - (800) 454-0964

Novato Health Express

(415) 457-1392

Cancellations for ALL programs

(415) 457-4630

More Information
Whistlestop Wheels also provides contract transportation services to various agencies in Marin County that serve the Elderly and Disabled.  These include such agencies as Senior Access and the Golden Gate Regional Center.  Whistlestop Wheels vehicles may be available for group trips and charters. Please call the transportation office for more information.

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