Fares
AAR fares are the same as full fare on public transit. Show the driver your AAR ID card or AAR MetroCard or any photo ID and pay the exact fare as you board the vehicle. AAR MetroCards cannot be used to pay for Paratransit vehicle trips. AAR drivers do not provide change and do not accept roundtrip fares. Your vehicle will not depart unless you and your guest(s) pay the fare. Only PCAs ride free of charge. Current AAR HealthEquity coupons (formerly known as TransitChek) are accepted as fare payment. Each coupon is good for one trip.
Traveling with a PCA or Guests
Whether or not you are approved to travel with a PCA, you may travel with one guest. Additional guests may be accommodated on a space-available basis. A PCA and/or guest(s) must travel with you to and from the same destination. When reserving a trip, tell the reservationist if seats are needed for a guest(s) and/or PCA. All AAR customers and guests must pay the full AAR fare.
Children, except infants held in a parent's lap, can be guests and are charged a fare. The parent is responsible for securing the child in a seat. If a customer brings on an infant seat, the customer is responsible for securing the infant seat. Drivers shall assist.
It is important to remember that when you reserve seats for guests or PCA's, the seats are not available for other persons with disabilities to use. Therefore, you must provide truthful and accurate information when making reservations. Do not reserve seats for others unless you truly intend for and expect them to take the ride. AAR monitors reservations and reserves the right to suspend or limit a customer's ability to reserve seats for others where the customer has a demonstrated pattern of making PCA and/or guest reservations that go unused. Also, please note that intentionally providing false information with respect to PCA and/or guest reservations may constitute illegal or fraudulent conduct for which a customer's AAR eligibility may be suspended or terminated under the AAR Conduct Policy.
Providers
Private carriers under contract to NYC Transit provide this service by lift-equipped vans, ramp-equipped vehicles or sedans. In addition, service is provided by private taxis, livery, and black car services, and Yellow and Green TLC accessible, and standard taxi. AAR does not ensure a particular service or type of vehicle unless accessibility is mandatory.
Note: AAR vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters wider than 33 inches, longer than 51 inches and weighing more than 800 pounds when occupied.
Driver Assistance
As long as the driver doesn't lose sight of the vehicle and is not more than 100 feet away from it, she/he can assist you to/from the vehicle, help you up/down the curb or one step, and assist you in boarding. The driver will carry up to two bags or parcels totaling 40 pounds or less on/off the vehicle. The driver will not enter buildings.
When a PCA travels with you, the driver is only required to assist you onto the vehicle, secure your wheelchair/scooter; and secure your seatbelt/shoulder harness, or seatbelt if you are sitting in a passenger seat.
Seatbelts
For your safety, we strongly recommend that you wear your seatbelt or seatbelt/shoulder harness if traveling in a wheelchair/scooter. Your seatbelt should be fastened before the AAR vehicle begins to move. Upon request, drivers will assist customers to fasten and unfasten their seatbelts, or seatbelt/shoulder harnesses for those using a wheelchair/scooter.
Carts, Bags, Parcels, Bulky Items
Customers must fold shopping carts and board AAR vehicles with only two bags or parcels totaling 40 pounds or less. A very bulky item that fills a seat or is a safety hazard is not permitted on an AAR vehicle, even if the item weighs less than 40 pounds.
Transferring to Passenger Seat
Passenger seats are reserved for customers who walk, and wheelchair/scooter locations are reserved for customers traveling in wheelchairs/scooters. If you travel in a wheelchair/scooter and wish to transfer to a passenger seat, you must ask the driver if a seat will be vacant during your trip. You may transfer only if a seat is available.
If a customer who walks is added to the route and requires the seat, you will have to return to your wheelchair/scooter.
Customers are not permitted to reserve passenger seats for guests or PCAs who do not travel with them so that they can transfer to a passenger seat.