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April 4, 2012 at 5:14 pm #602761
hooper1961MemberI contacted Metro regarding the cost per trip on Metro Access. They identified a cost per trip of $40 that they charge the users a $1.25; only about 3% of the cost to provide the service This subsidy level is far too high and forces Metro to cut other services. Fair box revenue should provide a much greater % (3% is clearly too low) of the cost of the service.
April 4, 2012 at 6:11 pm #753781
dunnkldParticipantApril 4, 2012 at 6:50 pm #753782
JanSParticipantAccess vans are not for the general public. They are for disabled, mostly low income people. A lot of these people would no longer be able to utilize the vans if the fare was raised. Again, I say, it’s not always about the almighty dollar.
April 4, 2012 at 7:14 pm #753783
hooper1961Membermetro can legally charge the same fares as they do for other riders, $2.25/$2.50. the $1.25 charged is unreasonably too low for a ride that costs $40 to provide.
April 4, 2012 at 8:33 pm #753784
miwsParticipantOkay, so let those that can’t afford that amount, to get to and from their doctor appointments just stay at home and die, and rot!
Mike
April 4, 2012 at 9:07 pm #753785
Ms. SparklesParticipantI’ve always wondered who rides the Access buses vs. using the ramp on the regular buses and what, if any, the requirments / restrictions to riding Access are.
Anyone know?
April 4, 2012 at 10:00 pm #753786
SueParticipantMrs. Sparkles, this is the info on how to qualify for the ADA Paratransit Program, which is required to use Access: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/paratransit.html In a nutshell, you need medical evaluation of a disability that prevents you from riding the regular bus and requires medical evaluation to prove the need.
April 5, 2012 at 12:49 am #753787
JanSParticipantwhen I was without a car I went through the process of being evaluated to be allowed to use the access van. First, one has to be disabled in some way. I have End Stage Renal Disease, considered a disability. I had to go to the office at Harborview and be evaluated to make sure that I have enough mobility to manage the van steps, to be able to get in and out of the seats on the van. There is also a lift on the vans for wheel chairs and mobility scooters. I don’t recall being asked about income..but I did have to provide health history.
April 5, 2012 at 5:46 am #753788
hooper1961MemberThe federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a civil rights law that, among other things, requires equal access to public transportation for persons with disabilities.
It does not require the service be provided essentially for free. The fair box revenue % of service cost for Metro Access is unreasonably low (3%) and Metro is forced to cut other services to other system users.
April 5, 2012 at 6:42 am #753789
horsegrlyMemberMy grandparents used the Snohomish County version of Access (DART) when they became physically unable to drive. There was a lengthy application process to even be considered for ridership. It was an exceptional program that allowed them to get out of their house.
However, I agree they should at least be charging the normal bus fare.
April 5, 2012 at 6:44 am #753790
JanSParticipantHooper…your post #9. So what…suck it up.
April 5, 2012 at 7:24 pm #753791
SueParticipanthorsegrly, the regular metro bus fare for someone who qualifies as disabled is $0.75 per ride. So Access (which also serves the disabled) is already charging more than that at $1.25 per ride.
April 6, 2012 at 9:49 pm #753792
Ms. SparklesParticipantThanks for the education all. And now that I’m better educated I have an informed opinion; I don’t think the fares are “unreasonably” low. Even if you are not suffering financially, disablities of the type necessary to qualify come with added costs that the able bodied never have to think about…so I think the low fares level the financial playing field a wee bit.
Yes it bites that there’s not enough funding, so that access causes cuts to regular Metro services, but I think it’s a reasonable subsidy.
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