HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0985.003 2014-2016 rIpGmicJ
Murashige, Laura
From: Ron Amundson <ronald@hawaii.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2016 11:39 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to doubling bus fare for Paratransit riders (in Bill 229)
I wish to oppose the proposed changes in Bill 229 offered to the County Council Public Safety& Mass Transit Committee
at 9:15 AM on Tuesday,August 16.
The ADA allows County Mass Transit to charge up to double the price of a bus ride to users of the Paratransit system.
However, Mass Transit is not REQUIRED to charge such a high fee.
The rules for use of Paratransit are going to imply that very few people will be qualified to use it. (Last month we were
told that fewer than 10 people were registered to use Paratransit so far.) Moreover, most of those people will very likely
be poor and unemployed. It will cost Mass Transit very little money to charge only the price of an ordinary bus ticket for
a Paratransit ride.
I therefore urge that the proposed form of Bill 229 be changed, and Paratransit rides be billed at the same rate as
ordinary bus rides. It will cost the County very little to give this equal service to those who need Paratransit.
Thank you.
Ron Amundson, Secretary
Disability Rights Hawaii
Hilo, HI
ronald@hawaii.edu
Comm. No. 06$5- $3
Ref. To: ila?SMTe--
Ref. Date AUG 1 6 2016
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