|
|
 |
|
|
|
SamTrans > News Archive > Transit District Celebrates Disability Awareness Month
Transit District Celebrates Disability Awareness Month
The San Mateo County Transit Board of Directors will issue a proclamation in support
of Disability Awareness Month at its Oct. 20 board meeting.
“SamTrans has been a leader in providing transportation for people with disabilities,”
said Board Chair Mike Nevin. The district launched its paratransit service in 1977, 13
years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. By 1980, SamTrans
buses were equipped with wheelchair lifts and in 1995, Caltrain became accessible to
people in wheelchairs. Today, more than 1,000 county residents use the district’s
paratransit services every day.
In San Mateo County, paratransit services are partially funded by Measure A, a
half-cent sales tax passed by the voters in 1988. Funds from the sales tax were used
to establish a $25 million trust fund that generates interest income to supplement
SamTrans’ paratransit budget.
Last year, the TA provided $3.1 million for paratransit, or eight percent of the total
budget. Over the years the fund has used been to help establish and maintain service
hours that are complementary to fixed-route service; provide resources to ensure that
every request for a ride is met; and maintain service on the Coastside.
Jim Engvall, a member of the San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities, will accept
the proclamation. “It is important to celebrate Disablity Awareness Month because it
helps the community learn about people with disabilities and what our needs are,” said
Engvall.
Engvall, who uses a wheelchair, is a frequent SamTrans and Caltrain rider and also
uses Redi-Wheels. A long-time member of SamTrans’ technical advisory committee,
Engvall participates in empathy training classes for the district’s bus operators.
Engvall said he has seen many improvements in public transportation over the years,
particularly in the design of the wheelchair lifts on the buses and the trains.
“Things are getting easier,” he said.
Paratransit services are available to people whose disabilities prevent them from
using regular public transportation. Redi-Wheels and RediCoast use small buses,
mini-vans and sedans to take people to medical appointments, shopping, to work and on
errands.
Measure A will expire in 2008. A new Measure A Expenditure Plan on the November ballot
will allocate four percent of the sales tax, or an estimated $60 million over the
25-year life of the measure, for paratransit services.
10/15/04
|
|
|
|
Schedules & Fares