Personal care attendants and companions

ADA paratransit lets you bring help and company. The rules differ for a personal care attendant (PCA) and for a companion.

Personal care attendant (PCA)

• A PCA is someone designated or employed to help you. A PCA may always ride with you (FTA FAQ).
• A PCA rides free on ADA paratransit (49 CFR 37.131(c)(3)). On fixed-route buses and trains, a PCA may be charged a fare, although some agencies let PCAs ride free (FTA FAQ).
• The agency may ask on your application whether you travel with a PCA, and may ask about your actual need for one (37.125(i); FTA FAQ). Your eligibility documents should list the use of a PCA (37.125(e)).
• The PCA must travel with you between the same points. FTA notes that you may need the PCA’s help at your destination rather than on the vehicle (FTA FAQ).
• The agency may require you to reserve the PCA’s seat when you book (FTA FAQ).

Companions

• One companion is guaranteed, in addition to a PCA if you have one (37.123(f)(1)). The companion can be anyone: a family member, friend or business associate (FTA FAQ).
• A companion pays the same fare as you (37.131(c)(2)).
• More companions can ride if there is space and it does not cause another eligible rider to be denied (37.123(f)(2)).
• Companions must have the same pickup and drop-off points as you (37.123(f)(3)).
• A family member or friend counts as a companion, not a PCA, unless he or she is acting as your PCA (37.123(f)(1)(ii)).

Other points

• An agency generally may not require you to travel with a PCA. It may set that condition only where it could otherwise refuse service because of violent, seriously disruptive or illegal conduct (FTA FAQ).
• Agencies are not required to provide PCA services, and drivers do not provide personal care (FTA FAQ).
• Agencies may set a minimum age for children riding without a parent or guardian, if the same rule applies on buses and trains (FTA FAQ).
• FTA’s ADA Circular covers PCAs and companions in section 9.8 and their fares in section 8.4.6 (FTA Circular C 4710.1).

In Canada

U.S. rules do not apply. In Ontario, for example, specialized transit providers may not charge a support person who accompanies a rider who needs one, and must allow companions if space is available (O. Reg. 191/11, ss. 38 and 74). See specialized transit eligibility in Canada.

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