SUPPORT OF PROVIDING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
PARATRANSIT SERVICE
WHEREAS,
under the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public transit
systems have made significant capital investments to make mainline transit
systems accessible for persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS,
the goal of the ADA is that all mainline public transit systems shall be 100%
accessible, but the ADA acknowledges that even with public transit systems that
are 100% accessible, some people with disabilities will still be unable to use
mainline systems due to the nature of their disability, weather conditions or
other reasons; and
WHEREAS,
under the ADA, public transit systems are required to provide paratransit
service for persons who are unable to use mainline service, but the ADA did not
provide dedicated funding to fulfill this federal mandate; and
WHEREAS,
currently, the federal government provides no funding for the operation of
paratransit services and the financial burden of providing this important
service has fallen on the shoulders of regional and local transit agencies and
transit riders. Public transit systems
have had to dedicate resources to paratransit and away from mainline bus and
rail service, which impacts service provided to all customers; and
WHEREAS, the operating costs for providing paratransit
services for public transit systems are more than 10 times the cost of
providing mainline service and are expected to continue to increase,
particularly as our population ages and costs for fuel escalate; and
WHEREAS,
transportation services for the disabled and elderly community are provided by
a variety of human services organizations and agencies, public transit systems
and community based organizations, all of which are seeking funding from
federal, state and local government.
Coordinated transportation services that extend beyond mainline service
are needed. Greater efficiency helps to
stretch the limited (and often insufficient) funding and personnel resources of
these agencies,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges
the Administration and Congress to provide federal funding to public transit
systems for the purpose of providing paratransit service as required by the
ADA; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the
Administration and Congress to increase funding for travel training for
disabled and elderly persons on public transit systems in order to increase
opportunities for disabled and elderly persons to use accessible mainline
systems and to optimally leverage the federal investment in public
transportation.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 