Passenger transportation companies trying to become a MART Transportation Provider of brokerage services often ask the same questions. This FAQ serves to answer those questions quickly.
Application FAQs
Application FAQs
Application Phase Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the requirements of becoming a transportation provider with MART?
A: All requirements are clearly defined in the following documents: Human Service Transportation Provider Application; Human Service Transportation (HST) Provider Standards; and MART Brokerage Transportation Provider Additional Performance Standards
Q: Does driving for another company give me the necessary experience (Taxi, Uber, Lyft, other vendor)?
A: No, you must OWN and OPERATE your own livery (human transportation) service for a minimum of 1 year and hold a contract with a facility/vendor.
Q: How do I start if your company will not give me a contract?
A: You may obtain a contract with any number of facilities: nursing homes; hospitals; DayHab programs; school systems/Head Start; other state or private agency programs; or veteran’s organizations. Any information submitted on the application referencing work with these types of agencies must be reviewed and verified by MART.
Q: Can I meet with staff to discuss the application/review?
A: No meetings are required. MART staff reviews all applications in the order they are received and cannot assist potential providers in filling out the application. Any questions or concerns not addressed in these FAQ’s can be directed to BrokerageBus@MRTA.US and will be responded to in a timely manner.
Q: Who can I use for written references?
A: References provided must be strictly professional in nature. Contracts, confirmation of business activity, or business affiliation references are acceptable. MART does not accept personal references in any capacity.
Q: What is MA Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) status?
A: You may have your business certified by the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). It promotes diversity in public contracting and the program encourages the award of contracts in a way that strengthens and increases business opportunities for diverse companies. If you have registered your business under this status, you are required to provide a copy of the certificate. To find out how to get certified with the SDO follow this link.
Q: How long does the process of becoming a vendor take?
A: With an appropriately completed application, the Contracting Phase may begin approximately 30 days after submission.
Q: What are the current MART rates?
A: MART’s most recently applied rates can be found on our website by visiting: http://www.mrta.us/masshealth/transportation-provider
Q: What are the differences between DAR (Dial-A-Ride), Taxi, and Chair Car(CC) rates?
A: DAR and Taxi both refer to ambulatory trip rates with the only difference being that you must include at least 5 miles on your pick-up fare for DAR. You are not required to include any mileage on Taxi rates. Chair Car rates refer to vendors with certified vehicles that are able to transport wheelchair clients.
Q: What is and where do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?
A: There are 2 required certificates of Good Standing; one from the Department of Revenue (https//www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-certificate-of-good-standing-tax-compliance-or-a-corporate-tax-lien-waiver) and the other from the Secretary of State (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/corpweb/corcert/certinf.htm). The Department of Revenue Certificate is issued to demonstrate your business is in tax-compliance with the Commonwealth. This document needs to be renewed each year. The Secretary of State Certificate demonstrates the business has a good-standing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at its inception. Generally, we only require this document once, at the time of application submission.
Q: When and how will I be notified of MART’s acceptance of my application?
A: Notifications may vary and depend on the entirety of the information requested on the application being received; unless a disqualifying determination can be made with the information received. Once MART has a completed application on file a determination will usually be made within a week.
If these FAQs still do not answer your specific question, then we suggest contacting the MART Program Management Department at BrokerageBus@mrta.us.