Board approves $143 million paratransit contract; supervisors press agency on vehicle telematics and collision sensors

The Board of Supervisors on June 14 adopted a resolution authorizing a paratransit-brokerage and operating agreement with Transdev Services for an amount not to exceed $143,000,000 for a five-year term with five-year options.

Supervisor London N. Yi, who has previously worked on paratransit issues, asked whether drivers who operate paratransit vehicles receive training and whether the vehicles are equipped with telematics and forward-collision sensors. Annette Williams, manager of accessible services at the SFMTA, told the board the paratransit vehicles are equipped with mobile data computers that include GPS (telemetric data), and some vehicles have drive cameras that record video and audible data and G-force events.

On forward-collision or proximity sensors (which issue audible or visual warnings to drivers), Williams said the vehicles are not currently equipped but the agency, which owns the vehicles, is willing to investigate and consider purchasing vehicles with those features.

Why it matters: Paratransit serves riders with disabilities and riders who cannot use fixed-route service. Safety questions were raised after a recent fatality involving a person who had used paratransit; supervisors sought clarity on training and on whether telematics and collision-warning systems are in use.

Outcome: The resolution authorizing the Transdev contract was adopted unanimously. Staff committed to examine forward-collision sensor options given SFMTA ownership of vehicles.

Ending: The board approved the contract and prompted SFMTA staff to evaluate collision-warning technology and to continue reporting on paratransit safety and training.