STRIDE - Special Transit RIDE is dial-a-ride transportation service for qualified individuals with disabilities in the Twin Ports. It operates in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). STRIDE operates within 3/4 of a mile from the DTA's regular routes in the City of Superior and within the city boundaries of both Duluth and Proctor.
4:25 a.m. - 1:20 a.m. 5:50 a.m. - 7:08 p.m.
6:20 a.m. - 12 a.m. 6:44 a.m. - 7:08 p.m.
7:35 a.m. - 10:20 p.m. 10:44 a.m. - 7:01 p.m.
Individuals whose disabilities prevent them from boarding, riding on, or deboarding regular route DTA buses may qualify for this service. A physician's statement is required. People with temporary disabilities are eligible while the condition exists. Inability to get to a DTA bus stop is NOT a major factor in determining STRIDE eligibility.
HOW CAN YOU REGISTER FOR STRIDE?
Certification for STRIDE is easy! Call the STRIDE office at 218-722-3327 weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and you'll be mailed an ADA Eligibility Application for Certification. It is also available online at duluthtransit.com under the "Accessibility" tab at the top of the home page. Fill out the questionnaire and then give it to your physician. Your physician will complete the form and send it to STRIDE for review. STRIDE staff will promptly review the information and contact you regarding your eligibility.
STRIDE office (218-722-3327) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to reserve trips. Trips may be scheduled up to 7 days in advance. STRIDE will allow a limited number of subscription trips for individuals with routine schedules. Same day STRIDE trips may also be scheduled based on availability.
Cancellations of scheduled STRIDE trips should be made as soon as possible so that other passengers can utilize the service. Cancellations must be made at least three (3) hours in advance of the scheduled pick-up time. Riders who miss scheduled trips without proper cancellation may lose their ability to use STRIDE service. Riders may not alter scheduled destinations once they are made. STRIDE maintains the right to refuse service to unruly passengers if necessary.
The fare for STRIDE is $1.50 during off-peak hours and $3.00 during peak hours. Peak hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. All other times are considered off-peak hours. Fares must be paid in exact change. For your convenience, books containing 10 one-dollar and-fifty-cents tickets are also available for purchase from the STRIDE drivers.
three companion riders with space permitting. Companion riders need not be certified for STRIDE, but must pay a fare. STRIDE riders must inform the scheduler about companion riders when the trip is scheduled. Personal care attendants ride for FREE.
STRIDE drivers are licensed professionals specially trained to provide assistance from origin to destination as needed by each passenger. Drivers will assist passengers onto the vehicle and assist them with seat belts and wheelchair securement as needed. All STRIDE vehicles meet ADA requirements.
STRIDE wants to hear from you. The service is only as good as you help make it. Please contact STRIDE with your questions, suggestions and any concerns you have. Please call 722-3327 or 722-SAVE during business hours.
if the lift and vehicle can physically accommodate them, unless doing so is inconsistent with legitimate safety requirements. Legitimate safety requirements include such circumstances as a wheelchair of such size that it would block an aisle or would be too large to fully enter a vehicle, would block the vestibule or would interfere with the safe evacuation of passengers in an emergency. Contact the STRIDE office for further information.
Passengers on STRIDE are required to wear safety belts. Drivers will offer assistance with belts as needed. Restraint seats for children are not provided by STRIDE and are therefore the responsibility of the passenger.
The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) manages STRIDE. An independent contractor provides the scheduler and vehicle operators. STRIDE offices are located at the DTA Operations Center at 2402 W. Michigan St. Duluth, MN 55806.
The Duluth Transit Authority ("DTA") offers dial-a-ride services to qualified individuals in the Twin Ports. Special Transit Ride ("STRIDE") requires trips to be scheduled one day in advance, (but may be scheduled up to seven (7) days in advance) and understands that riders may occasionally miss scheduled rides or be unable to cancel in advance due to circumstances beyond the rider's control, such as weather or family emergency. Occasional cancellations are understandable, but repeatedly failing to cancel scheduled trips in a timely manner can lead to suspension of service. The following information explains the DTA's No Show Policy.
"No Show" is defined as an occurrence when a rider fails to board the STRIDE vehicle for a scheduled trip, provided that the vehicle has arrived at the scheduled pick up location within the pickup time window, and the driver has waited five (5) minutes after the scheduled time for the rider to appear.
The "pickup window" is defined as fifteen (15) minutes before the pickup time and fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled pickup time. Riders must be ready to board a vehicle that arrives within the pickup window. The STRIDE driver will wait for a maximum of five (5) minutes within the pickup window for the rider to appear.
A "late cancellation" is defined as a cancellation that occurs less than two (2) hours before the scheduled pick up time, or the rider refuses to board a vehicle that has arrived within the pickup window.
Riders must cancel rides at least two (2) hours prior to ride reservation time. Cancellations of schedule STRIDE trips should be made as soon as possible so other passengers can use the service. Riders that do not show for rides or cancel less than two 2 hours prior to the trip may receive a No Show. Riders may cancel a trip by contacting STRIDE at 218-722-3327.
Riders may not change the time of the reservation, or the beginning point or the destination of the trip, unless the change is requested at least one (1) day prior to the scheduled trip. Changes to a reservation that are made less than one day prior to the scheduled trip will be counted as a No Show, unless the entire trip is cancelled at least two (2) hours prior to the ride reservation time.
Severe weather that causes difficulty for the rider to access the vehicle may also be considered beyond the rider's control, as is severe weather that causes delays in vehicle arrival and extended travel time.
Riders should contact STRIDE at 218-722-3327 when experiencing No Shows due to circumstances beyond their control.
When a rider is a No Show for one trip, all of the rider's subsequent trips on that day remain on the schedule unless the rider specifically cancels the remaining trips. To avoid multiple No Shows on the same day, riders are strongly encouraged to cancel any subsequent trips they no longer need that day, as well as any other upcoming trips on other days that are no longer needed. No Shows for subsequent trips may also be forgiven for circumstances beyond the rider's control.
The DTA reviews all recorded No Shows to ensure that the occurrence complies with the DTA Policy. Those occurrences that are not in compliance with the DTA Policy will be removed from the rider's record.
Each verified No Show counts as an occurrence. Riders who demonstrate a pattern or practice of missing scheduled trips, including intentional, repeated or regularly missing scheduled trips (except for No Shows beyond the rider's control) may be subject to suspension.
At least fifteen percent (15%) of the rider's scheduled trips are No Show occurrences in that 30-day period.
For example, if a rider schedules twenty (20) trips in a 30 day period and three (3) are No Shows, the rider will be subject to suspension.
rider will be subject to suspension only if both the minimum number of trips booked and the minimum number of No Shows occur in the thirty (30) day period. The DTA will notify riders by mail of a No Show occurrence unless the rider has contacted STRIDE to discuss the circumstances of the No Show and it has been forgiven by the DTA.
The No Show notice will include the ride date, time and location of the missed or late cancelled ride, a copy of this Policy, information on disputing No Show occurrences, and how to appeal a suspension.
Riders receiving a suspension will be provided a written notice indicating the No Show history causing the suspension, and the dates of suspension, along with a copy of this Policy and how to appeal a suspension. Suspensions begin on Monday of the following week following the date of the notification, or five (5) business days after the date of the suspension notice, whichever is later.
Riders may dispute specific No Show occurrences within five (5) business days of receiving a No Show letter. Riders should contact Stride at 218-722-3327 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to explain the circumstances beyond the control of the rider and request the removal of the No Show occurrence. Removal of the occurrence shall be at the DTA's discretion in accordance with this No Show Policy. The DTA shall notify the rider via telephone or in writing within five (5) business days after the receipt of the dispute request.
Riders have the right to file an appeal request to dispute a proposed suspension under this Policy. Riders must submit written appeal requests within five (5) business days from receipt of the suspension letter. Riders who miss the appeals request deadline will be suspended from STRIDE service for the date(s) listed on the suspension notice.
The STRIDE Advisory Committee will consider all appeals whether submitted orally or in writing within the time specified. The STRIDE Advisory Committee will consider the circumstances surrounding the suspension and shall make a determination whether to uphold or forgive the suspension within thirty-one (31) calendar days, and shall notify the rider and STRIDE in writing of the decision. A suspension that is under appeal will be delayed until the STRIDE Advisory Committee has made their ruling. When circumstances warrant, the STRIDE Advisory Committee may request further information to be presented by the rider and/or STRIDE, along with a timeline for responses; the suspension will not be enforced while the STRIDE Advisory Committee conducts an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspension.
If it is determined that the suspension is in compliance with this No Show Policy, the suspension shall be enforced beginning the following Monday or within five (5) business days after the written notification, whichever is later.
The DTA may revise this Policy from time to time, at the discretion of the DTA. Questions, comments or concerns about this Policy should be directed to the STRIDE office, at 218-722-3327, or the DTA at 218-722-4426.
The Duluth Transit Authority manages STRIDE. Scheduling services and vehicle operators are provided by an independent contractor. STRIDE offices are located at the DTA Operations Center, 2402 West Michigan Street, Duluth, MN 55806.
Copies of this Policy will be made available in alternative formats upon request.