Overview
Getting around the Tri-Cities using accessible transportation involves more moving parts than most people expect, different services with different eligibility requirements, different booking windows, different day-of expectations, and different backup plans when things don’t go as planned. Missing one step can mean missing a ride.
CAA created the Transportation Access Planner to put everything in one place. It’s a free, printable six-step checklist that walks riders and their families through the entire process, from choosing the right service to being ready when the vehicle arrives to handling the unexpected. Whether your family member is brand new to accessible transit or just needs a reliable reference to stay consistent, this one-page guide covers it all.
Download the Transportation Access Planner (PDF) →
What’s Inside
Step 1: Choose Your Ride
Identify which service fits the trip before anything else. The planner covers all five main options in the Tri-Cities, fixed-route bus, Dial-A-Ride, BFT CONNECT, Medicaid transport through People for People, and private options like High Desert Transport and Catholic Charities, with a reminder to note how far in advance each service needs to be scheduled.
Step 2: Get Set Up
A one-time setup checklist: eligibility applications completed, rider ID or reduced fare card in hand, apps downloaded, key numbers saved. The tip in this step makes the most important point plainly: some services require you to apply first, don’t wait until the last minute.
Step 3: Book It Right
Service-specific booking reminders built into the checklist, Dial-A-Ride requires 1–7 days ahead, People for People Medicaid rides require at least 2 business days. Prompts to have all trip information ready before calling and to write down the confirmed pickup window.
Step 4: Prep for Ride Day
The day-of checklist: ready at the start of the pickup window (not the middle, the start), fare or pass ready, mobility device charged, sidewalk and entry clear. Small habits that prevent missed rides.
Step 5: Ride With Confidence
Reminders for during the ride, ask for help with the lift, securement, or boarding if needed; check belongings before exiting; know how to request a return ride or cancel.
Step 6: Plan for the Unexpected
Backup contacts saved, service alerts enabled, ID and trip notes kept on hand. Building a safety net before you need it.
Quick Reference: Key Phone Numbers
A phone number table at the bottom covers every major transportation contact in one spot: BFT Dial-A-Ride reservations, BFT Customer Service, People for People NEMT, High Desert Transport, and BFT Travel Training.
Who This Is For
The Transportation Access Planner is designed for:
- Individuals with disabilities who are learning to use Tri-Cities accessible transit independently
- Family members and caregivers who coordinate transportation for a loved one
- CAA staff, job coaches, and support workers helping clients build consistent transit routines
- Anyone who wants a single printed reference to keep in a bag, binder, or on the fridge
It pairs especially well with BFT’s free Travel Training program, found on BFT’s website.
Download and Share
The planner is free, printable, and designed to be shared. Hand it to a case manager, IEP team, job coach, or family member, anyone involved in helping your family member get where they need to go.
Download the Transportation Access Planner (PDF) →
For full details on any of the services listed in the planner, visit the transportation resource pages in this hub:
Dial-A-Ride → | BFT Fixed Route & Accessibility → | BFT CONNECT | High Desert Transport → | Volunteer Driver Programs → | Ben Franklin Transit Full Site
