CDTA STAR Paratransit in the Capital Region: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Getting around is one of the biggest barriers to work, friendships, and independence for people with disabilities. In the Capital Region, STAR (Special Transit Available by Request) is CDTA's paratransit service: shared, door-to-door rides booked in advance for people who can't use the regular bus system because of a disability.

Who qualifies

STAR eligibility follows the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is not based on income or age, and a diagnosis alone doesn't decide it. The question is functional: can the person, because of their disability, board, ride, or get off a regular bus, or find their way using the bus system on their own?

Like all ADA paratransit, STAR covers trips in the areas served by CDTA's regular bus routes, so check that your origin and destination are inside the service area.

That matters for people with developmental disabilities. Someone who can physically ride a bus may still qualify if they can't safely navigate routes, transfers, or unexpected changes without help.

How to apply

• Fill out the STAR application, available online at cdta.org or on paper.
• Describe specific situations where using the bus isn't possible: crossing busy roads, coping with a missed stop or a detour, communicating with a driver. General statements carry less weight.
• Include supporting information from a professional who knows the person, if you can.

Recertification

Eligibility lasts up to three years. CDTA sends a recertification letter about 60 days before it expires, so watch the mail.

Tips for families

• Practice the first rides together, so the person knows what to expect.
• Keep a card with the person's name, destination, and an emergency contact.
• Plan for pickup windows rather than exact times, and build that into work or program schedules.
• Ask whether a personal care attendant can ride along if the person needs one.

For Medicaid-covered medical appointments, there's a separate service. See Medicaid transportation in New York.

Sources: CDTA, STAR Application; CDTA, STAR Handbook and Booking Guide.