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DARTS (Dial-A-Ride Transportation Services)

Transit driver with DARTS participantDARTS is the federally mandated complementary paratransit service offered by Tar River Transit. The program provides transportation services to individuals with disabilities that are prevented from riding the regular accessible bus service offered by Tar River Transit.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the program is determined through an application process and an in-person assessment by a medical professional. The process of eligibility may take up to 21 days once the application is completed.

Any person with mental or visual impairments who, as a result, cannot “navigate the system” is eligible. This eligibility category includes people who cannot board, ride, or disembark from an accessible vehicle “without the assistance of another individual.” Any person who has a specific impairment-related condition which prevents them from getting to or from a stop or station is eligible.

To Apply

Methods to apply to the SNAP program:

A completed application should be returned to the Tar River Transit Office in person or mailed to:

Tar River Transit
PO Box 1180
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27802

What Happens Next?

The Transit Administrator will determine eligibility upon review of the completed application and the information collected by medical professional during the in-person assessment. Once the Transit Administrator has determined that the applicant is eligible, an approval packet is sent containing a DARTS Identification Card, program guidelines and other pertinent information related to the program.

Note: If the Transit Administrator determines that the individual is not eligible for the DARTS program, a denial letter is sent to the applicant. The applicant has sixty (60) days from receipt of the letter to appeal the decision to the Engineering Department Head responsible for oversight of Tar River Transit. The Engineering Department Head’s decision is final.

This service operates Monday through Saturday at the following times and costs:

TIMESCOST
6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (M-F)$25.00 per Book of 10 tickets
9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Saturday)$25.00 per Book of 10 tickets

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the City of Rocky Mount Business Office located at 224 South Franklin Street or at the Transit Office located on the third floor of the downtown train station in Suite 315. DARTS tickets are non-refundable.

Scheduling Trips

Once a passenger has purchased their (DARTS) tickets, they may call and schedule trips. Trips need to be scheduled a day in advance and passengers may only travel to places within the City of Rocky Mount or to any location(s) served by the fixed route buses. Passengers need to call the Tar River Transit office to schedule trips for the next day by 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If a DARTS passenger wants to schedule a trip on days prior to a service day on which the office is closed (e.g. Sunday prior to a Monday service day or holiday) trips may be scheduled through our voicemail messaging system from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Have the following information prepared when scheduling your trip:

  • Name
  • Date of Travel
  • Appointment Time
  • Home Address/Destination Address- Street Name and Number
  • Return Time

DARTS passengers may call to schedule trips:

DARTS Service to Visitors

Tar River Transit also provides Dial-A-Ride services to visitors. Visitors are defined as individuals with a disability who do not reside in the Rocky Mount area. Any visitor who presents documentation that they are ADA paratransit eligible in the jurisdiction which they reside is eligible for Tar River Transit’s DARTS program.

Any visitor with disabilities who does not present such documentation or who resides in an area that does not provide fixed route service is required by TRT to present documentation of the individual’s place of residence  If the individual’s disability is not apparent, TRT will require documentation of his or her disability.