Preparing for a week of public meetings, George Tacke, manager
of accessible services for Valley Transportation Authority (VTA),
responded to criticisms and concerns voiced by some South Valley
residents, including cuts in service and increased fares.
Preparing for a week of public meetings, George Tacke, manager of accessible services for Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), responded to criticisms and concerns voiced by some South Valley residents, including cuts in service and increased fares.
Specifically, the concerns are coming from residents who use VTA’s paratransit service, which VTA contracts out to Outreach.
Paratransit services are rides to and from medical appointments and other errands provided to residents who cannot use, for medical or other reasons, regular public transport.
The VTA’s financial situation has forced it to look at cutting back services, including paratransit.
“As we continue to review all of our services, paratransit being one of them, we are looking improve operational efficiencies,” Tacke said. “And we have achieved that over the years, realizing financial savings in many areas … Now we are looking at, in terms of our paratransit, just providing what is really required by ADA (the American Disability Act). That’s not to say we’re not willing to exceed it – we have been. This is really our first proposed cut to paratransit.”
The proposal is, roughly, to cut services to a 3/4 mile fringe around the bus and rail service area.
“We have to take a look at some really tough issues,” said Tacke said. “According to ADA, transit operators have to provide comparable paratransit service. There are five or six or seven service categories, parameters you must meet. If you provide fixed route services, you need to provide complimentary services in a comparable area.”
VTA, through Outreach, Tacke said has been providing more than comparable service in the county. Although he is aware there are some in the area who rely on Outreach for all their transportation that would be outside the service area if the proposal passes. He said VTA will still be in compliance with ADA.
Tacke hopes that people who have concerns will attend the public meetings this week to bring their situation to light.
The closest meeting is at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St..
Another concern, at least in the South Valley, that is likely to be brought forward during the meetings is the Yellow Cab Company-provided Outreach services versus ATC-provided, or “white car,” services. Many South Valley residents who have been using Outreach for years have been critical of the new “white car” services, with complaints of lateness, drivers losing their way or having difficulty finding a destination and cost.
Although customers using paratransit services pay into an account, not per trip, the criticism is that despite the VTA’s financial difficulties, they are paying more for the ATC services when Yellow Cab is available for less. ATC reportedly charges almost double per mile what Yellow Cab charges Outreach to provide transport.
“I think it’s important that the public know that the white cars don’t charge us for miles they drive unless there is a client in the vehicle,” Tacke said. “The way we structured our contract, it doesn’t matter how far they have to drive to pick up a customer, they don’t charge us for that.
“Of course, it is up to us to route the vehicles efficiently. But the number of miles we pay them for is exactly equal to the number of miles we pay Yellow Cab for.”
Tacke acknowledged that the per mile rate Yellow Cab charges is approximately half what ATC charges.
Yellow Cab owner Larry Silva said he sent VTA and Outreach a proposal in December that he claimed would save the organization approximately $9.4 million annually.
“I have to be very careful about explaining why one vendor gets the business over another,” Tacke said. “I’ve known Larry for many years, had many contracts with his company. We did send him invitations to bid and he did not. After the bids were in, he sent in this proposal. It just wouldn’t be a fair business practice … We are a large government agency with very strict standards for procurement.”
Details: 321-2300.
