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Advocates and riders tell state task force: fund paratransit and make transit accessible
Summary
Community speakers, disability advocates and older-adult representatives urged the Transit Transformation Task Force to prioritize funding for paratransit and accessibility improvements, warning that lack of service isolates riders and harms economic mobility.
Speakers from advocacy groups and riders used the task force's public-comment period on June 10 to press for concrete funding commitments and stronger accessibility measures in the task force's recommendations.
‘‘Transit is one of the biggest predictors of economic mobility,’’ said Abby, transportation policy manager for Transform, telling the task force that recommendations should include a clear, specific funding ask to meet the state's ridership and climate goals. David Azevedo of AARP California urged a focus on demand-responsive and curb-to-curb services for older adults and people with disabilities, noting, "By 2030, 1 in 4 Californians will be 60."
Several commenters who identified as wheelchair users or representing disability organizations underscored how unreliable paratransit and gaps in last-mile connections limit work, medical access and independence. Cindy, a wheelchair user from Los Angeles County, said the sector is "on life support" and criticized a legislative decision to fund the WAVE TNC-access surcharge at 10 cents per ride instead of 20 cents, calling the lower amount insufficient to build usable accessible services.
Why it matters: The public comments reflect a persistent policy tension: operators and planners say systemic funding increases are required to expand and sustain service, while riders and advocates say immediate investments are needed to ensure equitable access for people who cannot drive.
Representative quotes - "Transit is one of the biggest predictors of economic mobility...the most important mission of this task force is to identify funding needs and sources to fund public transportation in California," Abby (Transform). - "By 2030, 1 in 4 Californians will be 60," David Azevedo (AARP California). - "Paratransit service is particularly in need of funding," said Cindy (Los Angeles County wheelchair user).
What the task force did: The task force heard the comments and adopted a separate accessibility principle later in the meeting; staff were instructed to fold public-submitted letters and testimony into revised tranche materials and to produce clearer funding scenarios for the August meeting.
Next step: Staff will incorporate public comment and existing letters into the draft report and return updated materials to the task force before the August 26 meeting.
