Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 22, 2004

Regional task force on paratransit makesseveral recommendations

Metro’s Board-established Regional Task Force on Paratransit, which met seven times between January and March, developed 10 recommendations related to MetroAccess service, which were presented to Metro’s Board Operations and Safety Committee today. Metro’s Board of Directors gave the group three tasks to complete: to compile an inventory of service and funding information to work toward coordination of other regional paratransit services; to address the cost effectiveness of MetroAccess; and to identify available coordination options to maximize the overall efficiency of the region’s specialized network of transportation services. The Task Force compiled an inventory of all of the various paratransit services in the region other than MetroAccess and was able to identify six programs that are available in the District of Columbia; 13 programs in Maryland; and 21 in Virginia. Those services amounted to $86 million in Federal, state, and local funds in FY03, and while local coordination efforts exist within jurisdictions, there is no regional plan to guide the coordination of all of that specialized transportation. Related to the cost effectiveness of MetroAccess, the Task Force recommended the following changes to the current service levels:1. MetroAccess service beyond the 3/4 mile service area limit outlined by Federal law should be maintained with a supplemental fare charged to customers requesting that service. It was recommended that a supplemental charge of $1 be assessed for each three miles traveled beyond the 3/4 mile limit with a $4 maximum. This recommendation is expected to reduce demand and increase revenue by $400,000 annually. Ninety-nine percent of all MetroAccess trips are within the 3/4 mile zone and 99 percent are within three miles.2. Customers who are eligible to qualify for reduced fares based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and who are able to use accessible Metrobus and Metrorail service should be permitted to travel with a companion without an additional charge for the companion. This recommendation is expected to save $400,000 annually because it is anticipated that MetroAccess customers will opt to use the reduced-fare rail and bus service with a companion over their current MetroAccess service.3. Metro officials should tighten the eligibility certification process by re-certifying customers once every three years and by training those individuals who can use accessible bus and rail service to increase their mobility options. This recommendation is expected to save $400,000 per year, or $1.2 million over the three-year period by improving eligibility accuracy. As it relates to coordination options available to maximize the overall efficiency of regional specialized transportation services, it was observed that local coordination efforts exist within jurisdictions, but not regionally. Seven strategies were recommended to improve the regional coordination: establishing a Medicaid Transit Pass Program; instituting a regional clearinghouse on transit options; establishing a same-day taxi service; improving bus stop accessibility; identifying a dedicated funding source for MetroAccess and other regional accessibility improvements; establishing a committee to implement recommendations related to the work of the Task Force; and endorsing on-going interaction between the Task Force and MetroAccess. Metro’s Board of Directors is expected to consider the report of the Task Force and make decisions on its recommendations as early as this spring, prior to approving the annual budget.

News release issued on April 22, 2004.