The Valley Transit Authority (VTA) has deferred any changes to
the current paratransit system, south of Cochrane Road, until
January of 2004 when the board will make its final decision.
Paratransit is an extra service for those with special needs. It
will pick up passengers and bring them to their destination if they
can
’t get to it on their own using normal bus service.
The Valley Transit Authority (VTA) has deferred any changes to the current paratransit system, south of Cochrane Road, until January of 2004 when the board will make its final decision.
Paratransit is an extra service for those with special needs. It will pick up passengers and bring them to their destination if they can’t get to it on their own using normal bus service.
Currently VTA is trying to cut 21 percent of its service in order to offset costs due to declining revenue as a result of the recession. Paratransit will fall under this 21 percent cutback. The plan for implementing this change is to start charging a fee for those using the door to door service. The service will bring people from a transit stop to their final destination.
“The board has deferred the implementation of the $1.50 surcharge, south of Cochrane Road, for at least one year,” said Scott Buhrer, VTA’s financial manager at a meeting to seek comment about proposed cuts Thursday afternoon at Morgan Hill’s City Hall. “We will continue the door to door service for free for at least another year. The service would be cut unless a surcharge is paid.”
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there needs to be an extra service to supplement existing fixed routes.
According to the ADA the supplement must be within three-quarters of a mile to the nearest transportation stop. Because Morgan Hill has so many rural areas, the paratransit system currently exceeds those requirements.
The main reason for the cut backs is the recession. VTA relies heavily upon sales taxes; between 75-80 percent of the revenues come from sales taxes. During the recession, sales taxes have lessened. There has been a 33 percent drop in revenues over the past three years.
VTA wants to hear thoughts from consumers. To contact VTA, long on to www.vta.org or call 321-2300.
