What is Dial-A-Ride?

Dial-A-Ride is a door-to-door shared ride service that takes you anywhere within the nine-town region. Reservations are required and the service is available to the general public, with no restrictions on age or disabilities.

Operating Hours and Holidays

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last trip by 3:00 PM).

Holidays (No Service): New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Service Area & Pick-Up

Where can I go? WRTD transports riders who start and end their trips in the service area, which includes Ashford, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Lebanon, Mansfield, Scotland, Willington, and Windham/Willimantic.

Where can I get picked up? If you’re within 3/4 of a mile from a fixed-route bus, you should take that bus (unless you are a senior or disabled). Fixed-route buses serve the same areas listed above.

Fares

Each Dial-A-Ride trip costs $3 one-way.

How Do I Schedule a Ride?

You can make a reservation in three ways:

• Call WRTD at 860-456-2223
• Visit our website: www.wrtd.org
• Use the Ecolane app (contact WRTD to set up your account)

Reservation Details:

• Reservations may be made up to two weeks in advance.
• All reservations must be made at least one business day in advance by 4:00 PM on a first-come-first-served basis.
• WRTD will try to accommodate trips within one hour before or after your requested pick-up time.

When you call, please have the following information ready:

• Customer name
• Exact pick-up and drop-off street addresses
• Names of complexes or subdivisions (including building, apartment, or suite numbers)
• Appointment or pick-up time and return pick-up time
• Details about any mobility devices (e.g., cane, wheelchair, scooter), Personal Care Assistant, or companions

You will be given a 30-minute pick-up window for each trip.

Boarding & Tracking

Arrivals and Boarding:

• The bus will arrive within your designated pick-up window.
• Passengers must be ready to board at any time during that window.
• Drivers will not wait more than five minutes after arriving.

Where’s My Ride?

• You will receive a call with an estimated arrival time shortly before your trip.
• Text message alerts (standard rates apply) can be set up for updates.
• You can also track your vehicle using the Ecolane website and app.

Assistance & Special Requests

Assistance:

• Drivers can help with boarding and assist with up to three packages (maximum of 25 pounds total).
• If additional assistance is needed, it is recommended to bring a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), who rides free.
• Wheelchair lifts are available on all vans and buses upon request. Inform WRTD during your reservation if needed.

Special Requests:

WRTD considers reasonable modifications to assist riders with disabilities to ensure full access to services. For more information, call 860-456-2223.

Cancellations & Subscriptions

Cancellations and No-Shows:

• You are considered a “no-show” if you do not arrive within five minutes of the bus’s arrival.
• Cancelling when the bus arrives or less than two hours before your scheduled pick-up will also count as a no-show.
• Excessive no-shows may result in penalties.

Subscriptions:

If you have recurring trips for medical, educational, or employment purposes, you can set up a subscription with one phone call. Ask the dispatcher about subscription options—service is subject to availability.

DAR Service for Seniors

Seniors aged 60 and above ride free through a grant from the Senior Resources Agency on Aging, supported by Title III funds under the Older Americans Act. Since these funds do not cover the entire cost of the service, we request donations of $2.50 per one-way trip. Donations are anonymous and may be made in cash via the vehicle cash boxes or by check payable to WRTD Dial-A-Ride.