CARE-A-VAN

We Keep You Mobile

Care-A-Van is CARTA’s paratransit service, providing origin-to-destination shared public transportation for people with disabilities who are functionally unable to use fixed-route services for some or all of their transportation needs. Care-A-Van is available to residents and visitors in CARTA’s service area who due to injury, illness or functional incapacity of a temporary or permanent nature, are unable to use CARTA’s fixed route transit vehicles.

Residents of Chattanooga, Red Bank and East Ridge that are persons with disabilities are encourage to apply for eligibility through Care-a-Van’s Eligibility Department by calling 423-698-9038 to request an application and medical verification form. 

Visitors to our city will need documentation that they are ADA paratransit eligible in the jurisdiction in which they reside. CARTA will provide service to eligible visitors for up to 21 days during a 365-day period. Please call 423-698-9038 and speak with an Eligibility Coordinator.

Care-A-Van operates daily with special schedules on holidays. In order to accommodate as many riders as possible, advance notice is requested for scheduling Care-A-Van trips. Reservations are accepted on a next-day basis and up to fourteen days in advance. However, Care-A-Van makes every effort to accommodate “on-demand” trips on a case by case basis.

Hours of Operation

• Monday through Friday -4:40 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
• Saturday – 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
• Sunday – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

*Holiday schedules are observed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Care-A-Van does not operate on Easter or Christmas Day.

*There may be no service on certain holidays. Please call the Care-A-Van office to confirm.

Program Levels and Fares

Eligibility Under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Applicants for CARTA’s Care-A-Van paratransit service meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) qualifications must qualify in one of three categories for service eligibility.

Category 1

Because applicant is unable to board, ride or disembark from an accessible fixed route bus. Cannot use fixed route bus service because of impairment(s).

Category 2

Because applicant is able to use an accessible fixed route bus, but accessible vehicles are not available.

Category 3

Because applicant is unable to travel to a bus stop because of impairment(s).

If you are approved as an ADA Eligible rider, you will be sent a certification card as documentation. Individuals considered to be ADA Eligible can use this identification in other cities to receive paratransit service. This does not entitle you to free transportation. Fares are charged for each trip. For additional information or for further clarification, please call CARTA Care-A-Van at 423-698-9038.

Scheduling a Trip

Once you have received notification of eligibility for Care-A-Van service, contact the Care-A-Van office to schedule your trips. In order to accommodate as many riders as possible, advance notice is requested for scheduling Care-A-Van trips. Reservations are accepted on a next day basis and up to fourteen days in advance. 

Reservations may be made during the regular Care-A-Van office hours, Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Care-A-Van Office

• Telephone: 423-698-9038
• Fax: 423-698-8555

Relay Service 711

The State of Tennessee provides a free, state-wide assisted relay service at 711 so people who use text telephone (TTY) or other assisted device are able to have phone conversations with people who do not have TTY numbers.

This confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the United States. There is no charge to either person in the conversation. Since operators who answer use voice and TTY, dialing 711 works whether or not the person placing the call is using a TTY.

Outside of the state, Tennessee residents may call the following numbers:

800-848-0298 — Person with TTY calling someone without TTY.
800-848-0299 — Person without TTY calling someone with TTY.

Advisory Commission

The CARTA Care-A-Van Advisory Commission for Accessible Transportation consists of individuals who represent consumers, advocates and agencies in the community. The Advisory Commission works in an advisory and cooperative capacity with CARTA and consumers.

The Council meets monthly to advise, innovate and effect changes for the on going transit benefits of the disabled populace of the greater Chattanooga Area and serves as an appeals board for CARTA as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Council’s perpetual objective is to improve the quality of life and independence for people with disabilities through accessible transportation.

All are welcome to attend Care-A-Van Advisory Council meetings. Contact the Care-A-Van office for more information.

Appeals Process

Clients have the right to appeal within sixty (60) days after the eligibility process to CARTA’s Chief Executive Officer, Charles D. Frazier, 1617 Wilcox Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37406 or call at 423-629-1411. The appeal decisions are made in conjunction with CARTA Advisory Council Board Members. During the complaint and appeal process, Care-a-van will provide transportation, if doing so does not present a direct threat to the health or safety of others. CARTA will give the complainant the opportunity to be heard and present arguments.

If you are denied transportation and wish to appeal the decision, you must do so within 60 days from the date of denial. All appeals should be sent to: Charles D. Frazier, Chief Executive Officer, 1617 Wilcox Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37406.

Applications

Click HERE to be taken to the eligibility portion of the Care-A-Van application (Part A).

Download a fillable PDF Healthcare Verification Form (Part B):