Valley Metro STAR
The Valley Metro services the Roanoke, Salem, and Vinton areas. The Specialized Transit – Arranged Rides (STAR) service provides transportation to individuals who are unable to ride the standard Valley Metro public bus.
RADAR may negotiate trip requests within an hour of the client’s requested pick-up time. If RADAR’s offer of a trip pick-up time is more than one hour before or after the client’s desired trip time, the client is not obligated to accept the trip and it will be tracked as a trip denial, even if the client accepts the negotiated trip.
INFORMATION
Call (540)343-1721 Ext.3
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Sunday
SERVICE AVAILABILITY
5:45 AM – 8:45 PM Monday – Saturday
Last pickup time scheduled is 8:15 PM.
Service is not provided for the STAR Program on the following holidays: New Years Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
BAD WEATHER
Please see our new inclement weather policy at the link below.
ADA Application
Applications to ride the Valley Metro STAR are available for those protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may contact Valley Metro if you live in the City of Roanoke, Vinton, or Salem. Call (540) 982-2222 and request an application for the STAR program to be mailed to you or download the Valley Metro STAR Application below. You need to fill out the application completely and send back to Valley Metro for approval. The approval process generally takes about two weeks.
Print Version
To access a copy of the application that you can print and fill out, click the Download Application button below. After you have done all that is required to complete the application process, your information will be reviewed and you will be notified by mail of your eligibility determination within 21 days.
Online Version
To submit your application completely online, follow the two-part process below. All parts of the online application must be completed in order for the application to be reviewed. Applicants must also have the Professional Verification form completed by a professional, who is familiar with the applicant’s particular disability and current ability to use public transportation, to verify the information that the applicant
has provided.
How to Arrange for Transportation
You will need to call (540) 343-1721 to make reservations. Reservations are taken between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. After normal business hours, customers may leave a message for trip request. Requests are processed as received. Reservations can be made up to fourteen days in advance of needed time. Please have the following information ready to give to the Dispatcher.
1. Identification number and name
2. Your appointment and return time.
3. Your destination, building name, and address.
Return trips are required to be scheduled when making reservations. The van will be scheduled as per your request and will only wait 5 minutes past it’s arrival. Individuals missing their scheduled return time must call (540) 343-1721 to arrange another pickup time. RADAR will dispatch a vehicle as soon as possible without affecting other scheduled pickups.
Cancellation of a trip must be made at least one hour in advance of the trip.
Cost
The cost per trip is $3.50. All clients must pay cash, ticket or pass. If paying by cash, exact change is required. Drivers are not allowed to make change. Collection of fare will be completed before the client boards the vehicle. Children under the age of six years old, when in the company of an adult, ride at no charge.
Tickets or passes can be purchased in advance by calling (540) 982-2222 for passengers who find this more convenient than carrying cash.
Passengers who fail to pay in advance or at the time of boarding may be denied transportation.
Regular Riders
Individuals who ride the system on a regular basis will be scheduled on routes when feasible. An individual must travel to the same destination and return at the same time at least three times a week to be classified as a regular rider. Regular riders must contact RADAR at least one hour in advance of their scheduled time to cancel any trip. Please refer to the above no-show cancellation policy. Habitual failure to miss or cancel appointed times could result in suspension of service.
Companion Aides
Companion aides travel free with a client requiring assistance.
Service provided is Origin to Destination. The driver will provide assistance in boarding and debarking. At no time may a driver enter a building to provide assistance.
Prior approval for RADAR’s vehicle to enter any driveway is required. RADAR maintains this information in its client data file.
RADAR puts forth every effort to be on time. If our vehicle has not arrived 10 minutes past your pick up time please give our dispatch office a call.
Feel free to call us about more information concerning these services: (540) 343-1721 Ext. 3