RMTD Paratransit, the District’s origin-to-destination service, serves the needs of customers who, because of a disability, are unable to use RMTD’s fixed route service and who meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Some of the basic guidelines of our service can be found below and on the Paratransit links on this website. However, a complete source of information on our paratransit service can be found in the RMTD Paratransit Guide to Ride below.

Para ver este documento en español, por favor haga clic aquí.  RMTD-Guía para el transporte 

RMTD Paratransit’s service area is equivalent to the RMTD fixed route system.  In compliance with the ADA, service for Paratransit is therefore available ¾ of a mile beyond the RMTD Fixed Route system and/or jurisdictional boundaries.

RMTD Paratransit operates on the following schedule:

Monday through Friday
4:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. (Rockford)
4:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Loves Park and Machesney Park)

Saturday
6:00 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. (Rockford)
6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Loves Park and Machesney Park)

Sunday
8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m (Rockford only)

There is no Paratransit service available on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• 4^th of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

The cost to ride RMTD Paratransit for eligible riders is $3.00 each way.  Cash fares in the exact amount, tickets, or the Token Transit app are accepted.  Our drivers do not make change or accept personal checks. Ticket books may be purchased at either RMTD Transfer Center at 501 W. State, Rockford, or 725 Lyford Road, Rockford, or at the RMTD administrative offices, 520 Mulberry Street. Ticket books are $30.00 for 10 tickets. Ticket books may be paid for with a check or credit card when purchased at an RMTD facility only.

Eligibility

How do I become certified?

The first step is to complete a Paratransit application. This must be completed in person at the RMTD Paratransit office at 201 North Winnebago Street.  If you cannot get to our facility, you can call us at 815.961.2255, and we will gladly set up a complimentary ride for you to come and complete the application. For persons with hearing impairments, RMTD encourages the use of Illinois Relay Works. To use this service, simply dial 711 or 1-800-526-0844 and work with the Communications Assistant to complete the call to Rockford Paratransit. For your convenience, you can download the application here. 

Applicants will be reviewed within 21 days of receipt. Once reviewed, RMTD Paratransit will notify the applicant in writing of the determination of eligibility. If RMTD Paratransit has not determined eligibility within 21 days following the submission of a completed application, the applicant shall be treated as eligible and will be provided service. If RMTD ParaTransit denies the application, the individual shall be allowed to file an appeal.

To ride ParaTransit, you must be certified as eligible by RMTD ParaTransit. Examples of eligible people are those who, because of a disability, are “unable” to:

1. board, ride, or disembark from an accessible bus
2. persons unable to use the system due to visual or mental impairments
3. persons unable to reach boarding locations or situations due to a specific impairment-related condition

Other considerations are:

1. Age, distance to stop, or illiteracy by themselves are not considered disabilities.
2. People who are blind and visually impaired may be eligible if they cannot use RMTD’s regular fixed route system. People with medical conditions such as epilepsy, kidney disorders, and diabetes may be eligible depending on their ability to use RMTD’s regular fixed route system.

Provisional ParaTransit Eligibility

Any person can apply for and may be granted provisional paratransit eligibility for paratransit services if they can provide a physician’s certificate demonstrating that they have a hypersensitivity to extreme weather conditions or that extreme weather adversely affects or limits their mobility.

Temporary ParaTransit Eligibility

The following individuals are ADA temporary ParaTransit eligible if they meet the following criteria:

Any person can apply for and be granted temporary ParaTransit eligibility if they meet the full ParaTransit eligibility criteria as listed above and are determined temporary ParaTransit Eligible by RMTD ParaTransit.

Temporary Access

Starting Monday, May 4th.

The Rockford Mass Transit District’s new administration entrance, located at 201 North Winnebago Street, will now be open during regular business hours.

Due to construction and for the convenience of individuals with access requirements, applications and ticket pick-up are available at the Transfer Center, at 501 West State Street.

Paratransit Updates:

The Rockford Mass Transit District has upgraded its paratransit scheduling and dispatching system, replacing the previous software with a new platform designed to enhance the customer experience by reducing wait times and improving service efficiency. The new system launched on February 1, 2025.