Since 2016, MTM Transit has proudly partnered with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) to manage its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit eligibility program. At the heart of this partnership was a shift to 100% in-person mobility assessments, a proven, fair, and unbiased process that determines whether someone can safely and independently use MTS’s fixed-route bus and trolley services, or if they qualify for the complementary paratransit system, MTS Access.
A mobility assessment isn’t just paperwork. It’s a comprehensive, real-world evaluation that looks at an applicant’s ability to navigate ramps, stairs, uneven surfaces, curbs, and distances typical of a transit trip. These functional observations, combined with interviews, medical documentation, and transit-use history, help ensure eligibility decisions follow ADA guidelines while protecting the long-term sustainability of the paratransit program.
Taking Assessment Accuracy to the Next Level
To make these evaluations even more precise and consistent, MTM Transit recently designed and constructed a fully functional indoor assessment course, right inside the MTS eligibility center.
This isn’t a generic gym setup. It’s a purpose-built transit environment featuring:
- Simulated ramps of varying grades
- Stairs with handrails
- Uneven and sloped surfaces
- Real-world ground types including grass, gravel, and cement sections
The course allows our certified Mobility Assessment Evaluators to safely and accurately observe strength, balance, coordination, endurance, range of motion, and the distances an applicant can comfortably travel, all in a controlled setting that mirrors the challenges riders face every day.
Hands-On Labor and Commitment
What makes this course even more special? It was personally built by San Diego resident and MTM Transit Regional Vice President Scott Transue, who spent his weekends building and fine-tuning every detail to ensure the space replicated real transit conditions. Scott’s hands-on leadership reflects MTM Transit’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to deliver excellence for our transit agency partners and the riders they serve.
Why an Indoor Course Matters
Weather in San Diego is typically beautiful, but heat, rain, or scheduling constraints can complicate outdoor assessments. The indoor course eliminates those variables, guaranteeing every applicant is evaluated under consistent, realistic conditions. It also enhances safety for both applicants and evaluators while providing a private, dignified setting for what can be a physically and emotionally sensitive process.
By combining this innovative indoor facility with outdoor real-world observations, MTM Transit gives MTS and its applicants the most thorough eligibility process possible, one that respects riders’ abilities and protects paratransit for those who truly need it.
Want to learn more about the impact of in-person assessments on service quality, efficiency, and cost containment? Read the full San Diego MTS case study!
