Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT)

---

SCAT Reservation Telephone Numbers

For Rides contact

631.738.1150 (voice)

631.981.0104 (TTY)

SCAT brochure for viewing in English and Spanish (PDF files)

• Suffolk County Transit SCAT brochure – English
• Suffolk County Transit SCAT brochure – Spanish

SCAT Application (PDF file)

---

SCAT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if I am eligible?
You are eligible to ride SCAT if you have permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent you from using regular Suffolk County Transit (SCT) public bus service. Those individuals are eligible whose disabilities are defined by federal regulation and who:

• Cannot use SCT buses without assistance; or
• Cannot use SCT buses because the route(s) they wish to use are not accessible; or
• Have a disability that, combined with environmental barriers or circumstances, prevents them from accessing the fixed route system.

Once registered with SCAT as an "ADA Eligible" rider, you will be issued an I.D. card and number which will allow you to use
SCAT as well as other ADA paratransit services throughout the country. If you have a temporary disability you may be
eligible for SCAT service however, your eligibility will expire when you no longer have the disability.
Return to top

When Is SCAT service available?*
SCAT service is available system-wide during normal service hours, Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 8:30pm;
Weekends, 7:00am to 8:30pm.

Earlier morning and later evening SCAT service is available only to and from points within 3/4 of a mile of SCT (Suffolk County Transit) bus service that are operating at the time you wish to travel. Service on holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day) is available only to and from points within 3/4 of a mile of SCT bus line(s) that operate on those days, and during time of day service is provided along the route(s). There is no SCAT service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Return to top

What kind of service can I expect from SCAT?
SCAT provides curb-to-curb transportation and will pick you up and drop you off between any two points in Suffolk County (excluding Shelter Island and trips which begin and end in the Town of Huntington, which are serviced by the HART paratransit system). SCAT dispatchers will make every effort to make your trip as direct and quick as possible. In addition to the curb-to-curb service SCAT will also offer Origin to Destination service. This service will allow SCAT drivers to provide basic additional assistance to paratransit riders between curbside and building entrances. To receive such assistance, passengers must request it at the time they reserve their trips. For further information on Origin to Destination service paratransit riders may call 631.852.5200 or visit the Suffolk County Transit website www.sct-bus.org. SCAT dispatchers will make every effort to make your trip as direct and quick as possible. However, SCAT is a form of public transit and your trip may be combined with those of others. If you are not sure whether SCAT can provide your trip, please call Suffolk Transit at 631.852.5200
or our Reservation Office at 631.738.1150.

Upon request, SCAT drivers will assist wheelchair passengers while boarding and leaving lift and with use of securement device.
For curb-to-curb service drivers are not required to escort you between curbside and building entrances. Drivers are not required
to carry packages for you. If you need assistance getting to and from the pickup location, please arrange for someone to help you.

Click to view Origin to Destination Policy

Return to top

What if my travel plans change?
Because it is a shared ride service, your promptness in being ready to travel at your pickup time will help us keep on schedule for others using the service. So tells us right away about any changes in your travel plans. Cancellation must be made no later than two hours prior to your trip to avoid being considered a "late cancellation." Your trip will be considered a "no show" if a cancellation is not made and you do not make the trip. Emergency cancellations can be made any time. Please make reservations only for the trips you intend to make. Once your reservation is made, others seeking to travel when you wish to may be denied their request. Please refer to Service Suspension.

Return to top

Are there any restrictions on the type of trip I can make?
All types of trips may be requested, including social, recreational, medical, work or shopping trips. No priority will be placed on trip purpose, nor are you required to identify the purpose of your trip. Trip reservations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Under Federal regulations, SCAT is not to replace other existing program transportation. SCAT is designed to complement the existing public bus system.

Return to top

How do I make a SCAT reservation?
You must make a reservation to use SCAT. Reservations may be made up to 5 days in advance and no later than one day prior
to the day you want to travel.

Reservations will be accepted Monday through Saturday, from 7:00am to 5:00pm and on Sundays, reservations will be accepted from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Just call 631.738.1150 (voice) or 631.981.0104 (TTY).

SCAT will attempt to schedule pickup times no more than one hour before or after the requested pickup time. Passengers must
be ready to depart 15 minutes before and after their designated pickup time.

When you call to make a reservation, please be ready to tell the operator:

• Your name,
• Identification number,
• The address(es) where you want to be picked up and dropped off as well as the closest cross streets,
• The times you want to travel,
• The day and date of each trip,
• Whether anyone else will be traveling with you,
• If you are using any assistive devices (for example an oversized wheelchair, cane or service animal).

While the reservation operator will try to give you your first choice, SCAT is an increasingly popular service and not all trip times
are available all the time. When calling to reserve a trip, be prepared to offer an alternative travel time, if possible.

Return to top

Can my Personal Care Attendant travel with me?
If you have a Personal Care Attendant, (PCA), he or she does not need to pay a fare, but must have the same origin and destination as you do. One additional companion may also travel with you. More than one companion may also accompany you if space is available. All companions (not Personal Care Attendants) must pay a fare.

Return to top

What does it cost?

ADA Eligible Rider	$4.00
Companions	$4.00
Personal Care Attendants	Free
Children Under 5 Years of Age	Free

Please have your fare ready in cash, exact change only. Our drivers cannot make change.

Return to top

Denied transportation service?
If you have been denied SCAT service for the following reasons or believe SCAT has violated federal regulations or SCAT policies, you have the right to an appeals process.

• Denied SCAT eligibility.
• Service suspension.
• Denied transportation service.

SCAT has established an appeals process for individuals who have been denied SCAT eligibility, service suspension or SCAT service. Appeal requests must be filed in writing within 60 days of receipt of the denial notice. Persons requesting an appeal
hearing may appear before an Appeals Board to present information supporting their request. A final determination of the appeal
will be made in writing within 30 days. The original notice of denial of eligibility will contain information as to where and how to
file an appeal.

Additional information on the SCAT appeals process can be obtained by contacting Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities at 631.853.8333 (voice) or 631.853.5658 (TTY).

Return to top

Service suspension?
If you have a reservation, please tell us right away if you will not be able to make the trip. SCAT may suspend service to you
if you establish a practice of 1) missing scheduled trips, or 2) excessive late trip cancellations. SCAT will notify you in writing prior to suspending service. You will be given an opportunity to provide information and arguments supporting continuation of service. SCAT will provide you with a written notification of the decision and the reason(s) on which it was based.

Click for more information Suffolk County No Show Late Cancellation Policy

Return to top

How can I apply for SCAT service?
You can apply for SCAT service in any one of the following ways

Download and print the following SCAT Application (PDF file) and send it in.

In Person Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities North County Complex Building 158 Veterans Memorial Highway Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099

By Mail Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities North County Complex Building 158 Veterans Memorial Highway PO Box 6100 Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099

Or Call 631.853.8337 (voice) or 631.853.5658 (TTY), weekdays, 9:00am - 4:30pm.

Once we have received your completed application, we will notify you of your eligibility status within 21 days. With your completed application, you will need to provide a photo for your I.D. card as proof of eligibility. To be considered all applications must be completed in their entirety.

The Suffolk County Office for People with Diabilities is also available to answer your questions regarding the application and/or this program.

Return to top

Subscription service?
A subscription trip is one in which the rider takes the same trip, at the same time, and at least two days a week. Subscriptions can be made for Work or School (College) only. A limited number of subscriptions are available. Special conditions and restrictions apply to the use and availability of subscription trips. Contact SCAT for further information.

Return to top

Visiting from out of town?
Suffolk County provides ADA paratransit service to visitors with disabilities who do not live in the SCAT service area. To ride with SCAT, visitors must present documentation that they are ADA eligible for paratransit service in the jurisdiction in which they reside. If the individual has no such documentation (of ADA paratransit eligibility), then the individual is to provide documentation of residence outside of Suffolk County and, if the individual's disability is not apparent, proof of the disability. A legible, dated letter noting your disability and signed by a doctor or rehabilitation professional is acceptable proof. Suffolk County must receive documentation of eligibility for paratransit service for out-of-town visitors prior to the first desired day of travel. To arrange for temporary visitor status for SCAT services, customers who are ADA eligible should contact the Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities at 631.853.8337 (voice) or 631.853.5658 (TTY). Suffolk County will need the following information:

1. Name, birth date, and home address as well as telephone, cell phone and business telephone number/s
2. Your address and telephone number in Suffolk County (including cross streets)
3. Emergency contact (name and telephone numbers) in Suffok County
4. Whether you will travel with a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), a guest, or both
5. If you use a service animal
6. If you use a cane, walker, crutches, wheelchair, scooter or other equipment

Suffolk County will provide eligible visitors with SCAT service for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period starting with the visitor’s first use of the service during that period. Visitors who wish to receive service beyond this 21-day period must apply for eligibility with Suffolk County.

Return to top

Questions...Suggestions...Complaints
We want to know if you enjoyed your ride or have suggestions on how to improve the service. If you've had difficulty or a problem using our service we want to know that too. If you have had a problem please contact us and we will attempt to address the situation as quickly as possible.

SCAT complaints will be addressed and responded to as soon as possible. Normally an initial response will be provided with
10 days. Passengers may request further review to SCAT's response in writing if new information is provided supporting original complaint.

Call Suffolk County Transit Information Service at 631.852.5200, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm or write to SCAT, Transportation Division, 335 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980.

Return to top