On March 13, 2015, the US DOT issued a Final Rule under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that transportation entities are required to make reasonable modifications/accommodations to policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure that their programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities.  

METRA Transit System shall make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, or procedures when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability unless METRA Transit System can demonstrate that making the accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or result in an undue financial and administrative burden.  

Requests for reasonable modifications may be made by anyone who believes that an existing policy, procedure or practice needs to be modified to ensure that the transportation services provided by METRA Transit System are accessible to persons with disabilities consistent with the US DOT’s “Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices” Final Rule. 

Individuals requesting modifications shall provide their contact information and describe what accommodation is needed for us to provide the service.  Individuals requesting modification are not required to use the term “reasonable modification” when making a request. 

Whenever possible, requests for modifications shall be made and determined in advance, for example, during paratransit eligibility process or through customer service inquiries.  Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, operating personnel shall decide if whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request.  

Determinations to grant or deny a requested modification shall be guided by the provisions of Appendix E or 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37.  METRA Transit System will make and communicate determinations in a prompt manner after receiving the reasonable modification request.