Transportation & Accessibility
In the Benton and Franklin County region (Tri-Cities), individuals with disabilities have access to a network of transportation services designed for safety, independence, and ease of travel.
Accessible Public Transit (Ben Franklin Transit)
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is the public transit provider in the Tri-Cities, and it’s committed to serving everyone regardless of ability. All BFT fixed-route buses are ADA accessible – every bus has a wheelchair lift and drivers trained in proper securement. This means that if you can reach a regular bus stop, you can likely ride the fixed-route bus system in a wheelchair or with other mobility devices. BFT’s accessibility policy follows federal ADA law, ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunity to benefit from transit services.
Features for Riders with Disabilities: Key transit centers in the area are fully accessible, and buses have priority seating areas. If you use a wheelchair, the bus driver will deploy the lift/ramp and can assist with securing your device. Service animals are permitted on all BFT buses (no extra charge) and drivers recognize them as working animals. Additionally, riders with certain disabilities or senior citizens may qualify for reduced fares on fixed routes, for example, BFT offers half-price fares (around $0.75 per ride) for qualified disabled riders, and free fares for personal care attendants traveling with an eligible rider. You can contact BFT Customer Service (509-735-5100) to learn how to obtain a disability ID card or Reduced Fare permit if you don’t already have one.
Dial-A-Ride Paratransit (Door-to-Door Service)
For those unable to use fixed-route buses due to a disability, Ben Franklin Transit offers Dial-A-Ride (DAR), a specialized door-to-door paratransit service. Dial-A-Ride is designed to mirror the public bus system in coverage and hours, but with individualized rides that pick you up at your door and drop you off at your destination. It is a pre-scheduled, shared-ride service provided in accessible vans or minibuses bft.org . Riders must meet eligibility criteria under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to use Dial-A-Ride, which generally means your disability prevents you from getting to a bus stop or riding a standard bus independently.
Service Area & Hours: Dial-A-Ride serves the same geographic areas that the fixed-route BFT buses go, which includes Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, and surrounding communities in Benton and Franklin Counties (like Benton City, Prosser, and Finley).
The hours of operation are Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.. Dial-A-Ride does not operate on major holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (on those days all BFT services are closed).
How to Apply (Eligibility): To use Dial-A-Ride, you need to apply for ADA paratransit eligibility through BFT. The application involves a form describing your disability and mobility challenges, and includes a verification form that a licensed healthcare provider must sign. You can pick up an application at BFT’s Three Rivers Transit Center (7109 W. Okanogan Pl. in Kennewick), or call BFT to have one mailed, or download it online. Once you submit the completed application, BFT will evaluate it within 21 days and then mail you a determination letter.
Booking a Ride: Once you’re certified as a Dial-A-Ride rider, you can schedule trips. Rides are reservation-based – you must book each ride in advance (same-day requests might not be accommodated due to routing logistics). You can call the Dial-A-Ride reservations line at 509-735-0160 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days a . You may reserve rides as early as 7 days in advance, and no later than the day before (by 5 p.m.). BFT also offers an online booking form on their website for convenience.
Fares & Payment: Dial-A-Ride is very affordable, it charges the same base fare as BFT’s regular bus (currently $1.50 per one-way trip). There is a small extra charge ($3.00 total fare) if your trip’s origin or destination is more than 3/4 mile from the fixed bus route network (this is because providing paratransit to outlying or rural areas incurs more cost). Most Dial-A-Ride trips within the core Tri-Cities area will be the standard $1.50. You can pay in cash (exact change required), or use Dial-A-Ride tickets and passes.
What to Expect on Ride Day: Dial-A-Ride operates similarly to a shared shuttle. After you schedule, you will receive a pickup “window” (usually a 15- to 30-minute interval) during which the vehicle will arrive. Be ready at the start of your pickup window – the driver can arrive at any time in that interval. BFT advises riders to be prepared and waiting at the door or lobby with everything they need (coat, purse, medication, etc.) by the window’s start.
Additional Transportation Resources in Tri-Cities
Beyond BFT’s own services, there are other transportation options and programs that can assist individuals with disabilities, especially for specific needs like medical travel or trips outside the fixed bus service area. Below is a comprehensive list of resources available in the Tri-Cities area:
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for Medicaid Clients: If you have Apple Health (Medicaid) insurance, you may qualify for free transportation to and from medical appointments. In Benton and Franklin counties, this is arranged through a broker – People For People – under contract with the Health Care Authority.
How it works: You call the broker’s toll-free number (1-800-233-1624) at least 2 business days before your healthcare appointment, provide your Medicaid ID and appointment details, and People For People will coordinate an appropriate ride for you. - Private Accessible Transportation Services: If you need a ride that isn’t covered by public transit or Medicaid – for example, a long-distance trip, or you prefer a more personalized schedule – there are private companies in the Tri-Cities that specialize in accessible transport. One major provider is Medstar Transportation, which has been operating in Washington State since 1984. Medstar offers wheelchair-accessible van services, including transports with stretchers for those who are bed-bound, and they serve cities across the state (Tri-Cities included). They often contract with healthcare facilities and insurance, but you can also request rides directly.
- Volunteer Driver Programs: A more personalized and free option (when available) are volunteer transportation programs. These are typically run by non-profits or community organizations to help seniors and people with disabilities who don’t have other means of transport. In the Tri-Cities, Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington operates a Volunteer Services program that covers Benton and Franklin counties. Through this program, screened volunteers use their own cars to drive eligible individuals to essential appointments or errands. The focus is on low-income seniors (age 60+) and adults with disabilities who cannot safely use public transit and don’t have family to help. Rides might include going to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, or even the bank – it’s based on whatever the client needs, and the volunteer is able to do.
You deserve reliable, accessible transportation.
Our Transportation Access Planner makes it easy to get where you need to go. Use this quick checklist to stay prepared, informed, and ready for every ride.