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Service Area | Eligibility | Certification | Types of Trips |Making Reservations | Pick-up Information | Driver Assistance | Cancellations and No Shows | Miscellaneous | Dial-A-Ride Quick Facts | Tips for Riding Dial-A-Ride

WHAT IS DIAL-A-RIDE?

Dial-A-Ride is specialized transportation for the disabled. Aiken County has developed this service to provide paratransit service as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This service is for individuals who, due to an impairment, are unable to ride the Aiken County Best Friend Express bus. It is a curb-to-curb, advance reservation, shared ride transport. It is not a cab service.

SERVICE AREA

The service area is within a three and a half-mile radius of the Best Friend Express bus route. This covers the City of Aiken, North Augusta, and Midland Valley.

ELIGIBILITY

Any person with a physical or mental disability which makes it impossible to use the Best Friend Express may be eligible.

CERTIFICATION

Applications are available at: and any local service agencies which serve disabled individuals.

Applications must be returned to:

Lower Savannah Council of Governments
P.O. Box 3156
2748 Wagener Road
Aiken, SC 29802

An ID card will be issued. This must be presented to the driver before boarding.
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TYPES OF TRIPS:DEFINTIONS

Subscriptions Trips--a scheduled trip that occurs at the same time to the same location on a regular basis. These trips, once established, will be automatically scheduled unless the Dial-A-Ride reservation office is notified of a cancellation.

Demand Response Trips--trips that occur irregularly to different locations such as trips to doctor's office or grocery store. Each trip must be scheduled individually.
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MAKING RESERVATIONS

	Requests are taken between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
	Trips must be requested at least 24 hours in advance before 11 a.m.

Please have the following information available:

	Your name and phone number
	Pick up location
	Address of destination
	Time you must arrive at destination
	Approximate time of desired return trip (if appropriate)
	Type of vehicle needed (i.e. wheel chair equipped or not)
	Escort accompanying rider

Confirmation of trip will be given when reservations are made if possible. Otherwise, you will be called later that day with a confirmation.
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PICK-UP INFORMATION

A Dial-A-Ride vehicle will arrive at the pick-up address within an hour from the scheduled time. The driver will wait five minutes for the passenger. You will be notified in the event of the driver being late.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Our drivers will provide the following assistance:

	Assistance with seatbelts
	Assistance with small parcels and up to two grocery bags

Drivers are not allowed to enter homes or offices. If you require further assistance, please arrange for an escort.
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CANCELLATIONS AND NO SHOWS

Cancellations must be received at least two hours prior to pick-up time. Please give as much notice as possible.

No shows are defined as the following

	A rider who fails to keep a scheduled appointment
	A rider who cancels less that two hours before the scheduled trip
	A rider who refuses to pay

Three No Shows may result in loss of eligibility for Dial-A-Ride service
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MISCELLANEOUS

Dial-A-Ride is not responsible for passengers or personal items after exiting at their destination. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please call the Dial-A-Ride dispatcher at (803) 649-7981, or write a letter to

Aiken Area Council on Aging
P.O. Box 3156
Aiken, SC 29802

or
Lower Savannah Council of Governments
P.O. Box 3156
2748 Wagener Road
Aiken, SC 29802
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DIAL-A-RIDE QUICK FACTS

Phone Number: 648-6493

Service: Monday thru Saturday 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

No Holiday Service On:

	New Year's Day
	July 4th
	Labor Day
	Thanksgiving Day
	Christmas Day

Fare: $3:00 one way

Reservations: Call 648-6493

Requirements for Pick-up:

	Certification from LSCOG
	ID Card
	Advance Reservation

Vehicles: Passenger vans are mostly equipped with motorized wheelchair lifts, tie downs and seat belts.
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TIPS FOR RIDING DIAL-A-RIDE

Make advance reservation atleast 24 hours in advance.
When your trip request is confirmed, write down the information and save it for future reference.
Do not make medical appointments beginning after 2:00 p.m.
Please cancel a trip as soon as you know you will not need (D-A-R) service.
Be ready 1-2 hours before your scheduled pick-up time.
Seat belts must be worn at all time when riding (D-A-R).
Have ID card ready when you board the van.
Exact fare only. Drivers cannot make change. Pay upon entering vehicle.

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