Independence Express & Transportation Services

WNYIL operates grant and fee-based transportation services for community activities in five of the Western New York Counties.

WNYIL’s transportation program, Independence Express, offers rides for people with disabilities who reside in Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans Counties. Anyone with a disability can participate. We have both wheelchair-accessible vans and minivans for ambulatory riders.

If you are eligible for services from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and live with a family member in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, or Orleans County, you may be entitled to Family Support Services transportation. This program provides up to six (6) round trips per month to wherever you would like to go in our service area at no charge.

Our Fee-For-Service transportation is provided at a cost of $20 each way, plus $0.50 per mile to go wherever you choose. This is much less expensive than any private company that provides door-to-door wheelchair transportation in Western New York. You will receive an invoice in the mail the month after you ride.

Sign Up

To sign up for transportation, contact the Intake Office in your area:

• If you live in the 716-area code, call 716-836-0822, ext. 126
• If you live in the 585-area code, call 585-815-8501, ext. 126

You will complete a short intake over the phone, and then a welcome packet containing forms that you need to sign and mail back will be sent to you. Your registration for the program is complete when we receive the completed and signed forms.

Notes on booking transportation once approved:

• We require at least one week’s notice to book each trip, but you may schedule rides up to three months in advance.
• All van seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability.

Medicaid Transportation

The Independence Express Medicaid Transportation program provides Medicaid-funded transportation to recipients in parts of Erie and Niagara counties. Consumers can contact Medicaid and request WNYIL as their transportation provider.

Family Support Services Bus and Van Program

The Family Support Services (FSS) Bus program provides unlimited-ride bus passes from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to individuals eligible for services through the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). These passes are offered to individuals living with their families in Erie or Niagara counties. For those utilizing the Paratransit system, 10-trip or 20-trip passes are provided based on their program utilization level. The bus passes enable unrestricted travel on the NFTA system, extending beyond regular service hours, to enhance access to community activities and resources.

The Family Support Services (FSS) Van program provides eligible individuals of all ages who reside in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, or Orleans counties, with six round-trip rides per month on a space-available basis. The service operates seven days a week from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm (excluding certain holidays). Staff drivers offer transportation to and from the individual’s preferred location within the four-county service area. This includes transportation for various purposes such as medical appointments, work, school, social activities, and more. The program aims to enhance access, independence, and social inclusion for individuals receiving OPWDD services.