TPB Access for All Committees Recommendations on Transit Services for People with Disabilities

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TPB Access for All Committees Recommendations on
Transit Services for People with Disabilities

• John Hudson
• TPB Access for All Advisory Committee
• Presentation to the TPB
• December 17, 2003

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Background
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Nationwide Trends in Transportation for People
with Disabilities

• 30 of people with disabilities report a problem
  with adequate transportation versus 10 of the
  general population
• (NOD Harris 2000 Survey)
• Transportation difficulties keep over a half of
  million people with disabilities at home (BTS
  2002 Survey)

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585,000 People with Disabilities in the Region
One of Largest Minority Groups
Washington Regional Demographic Profile 2000
Census
In addition, the poverty rate for people with
disabilities is 50 higher than the general
population
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Transit Services for People with Disabilities

• Fixed Route Accessible bus and rail transit
  services provided by local systems and WMATA
• Paratransit Curb-to-curb service with vans or
  taxi cabs provided by WMATA (MetroAccess) and
  other local providers (Star, DOT, City Wheels)

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AFA Recent Activities and Recommendations
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AFA Activities

• In-depth discussions about these issues over the
  last six months
• Reviewed WMATA study that looked at how to
  encourage more people with disabilities to use
  bus and rail transit
• Developed comments and recommendations
• Invited to participate in WMATAs newly created
  Regional Paratransit Task Force

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Metro is Accessible InitiativeAFA Comments

• The WMATA study recommended an outreach and
  marketing initiative (Metro is Accessible)
• The AFA commends WMATAs efforts to outreach and
  train people with disabilities to use the fixed
  route system

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Metro is Accessible Initiative AFA
Recommendations

• Coordinate with county and city transit systems
• Improve the reliability of Metrorail and all bus
  systems for people with disabilities
• Conduct a study on the curb-to-curb service --
  MetroAccess

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MetroAccess Study

• Focus on how to maximize ridership with current
  budget Are there more cost-effective ways to
  better serve more people with disabilities?
• Conduct in same time frame and budget as the
  Metro is Accessible study

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Conclusion

• Improve dependability of the bus and rail systems
  to attract and retain the targeted riders
• Coordinate efforts with regional and local
  transit providers
• Conduct a comprehensive study of the curb-to-curb
  service for the best and most cost-effective ways
  to serve the greatest number of people