Public Hearing on Paratransit fare changes

AC Transit and BART will hold two public hearings in April to alter paratransit fares and two rider policies. The two transit agencies partner to operate the East Bay Paratransit Consortium.

PUBLIC HEARINGS April 14, 2010 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm AC Transit General Offices 2nd Floor Board Room 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland April 22, 2010 9:00 am BART Board Room, 3rd Floor Kaiser Center 20th Street Mall 344 20th Street, Oakland

The Consortium will consider an increase in the ADA paratransit fares, plus two policy changes: billing for rider fault no-shows and doubling the fare paid for non-ADA group trips. This public hearing is to accept public comment on the proposed fare changes.

AC Transit and BART face significant financial deficits and have made a number of difficult choices to increase revenue and decrease costs on the fixed route side; however, it is incumbent upon the two transit agencies to look for all ways to reduce costs and increase revenues with the ADA paratransit program also.

East Bay Paratransit fares have remained unchanged since January 2005. Rider fault no-shows waste valuable resources and cost the ADA system the expense of a ride. Group trip service is a premium service and participants can be charged more than an ADA fare.

If approved, the Boards of Directors are targeting an implementation date after July 1st, 2010.

For fare proposal specifics, visit ACTransit.org. The complete policy changes are available at EastBayParatransit.org.