HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0985.004 2014-2016 Aloha,
I wish to oppose the proposed changes in Bill 229 offered to the County
Council Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee scheduled Tuesday,
August 16, at 9:15 am.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires transit agencies to
provide paratransit services to people with disabilities who cannot use the
fixed route bus service. The ADA allows County Mass Transit to charge no
more than twice the regular fixed route fare.
Chapter 18, Article 4, Section 2, Division 1 , Section 18-90, (b) of the Hawaii
County Code reads: Discounted fares for senior citizens, persons with
disabilities and students... shall be charged a $1 cash one-way fare.
If the regular fixed route fare is offering a discount for persons with
disability I do not comprehend why the Paratransit, mainly used by persons
with disabilities because of the eligibility requirements, is intending to not
following this lead.
A big percentage of persons with disabilities fall under the poverty level,
and have to budget their money down to the dime. An $8 roundtrip is a
burden that can't be carried by many. If the Paratransit is going to
establishing this high of a fare it implies that very few people will be
qualified to use it. This would defeat the purpose of the Paratransit
providing equal service and access to our community for persons with
disabilities that would otherwise be excluded.
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.
Thank you.
Karin Riedel
IL Specialist for Aloha Independent Living Hawaii gs �' L
P.O. Box 492961 '"'' No.
Keaau, HI 96749 Ref. To: P�'M'r�
Ref. Date AUG 16 2016