Task force hears widespread call to treat paratransit as a legal obligation and to assess funding needs

Staff presented an overview of ADA‑complementary paratransit, noting that federal rules tie paratransit eligibility to a three‑quarters‑mile service area around fixed routes but operational practice varies and costs per trip are substantially higher than fixed‑route operations. Hunter Owens said a rising 65+ population will increase demand and highlighted four improvement areas: coordination of services, booking and dispatch, fixed‑route accessibility, and funding/planning.

Public commenters representing independent living centers, advocacy groups and technology providers urged action. Warren Cushman of Community Resources for Independent Living said plainly: “This is not an optional service. This is a required service that is required under the ADA.” Providers and vendors supported optional shared software and digital dispatch tools to reduce per‑trip costs and speed trip matching; VIA (a mobility operator) recommended that state purchasing schedules and pilot programs also consider non‑vehicle providers and microtransit operators when they can serve ADA needs.

Members urged the staff to pursue an administrative funding assessment so the state can quantify current paratransit shortfalls and identify funding pathways before legislating solutions. Proposed strategies included harmonizing driver training and insurance requirements to enable cross‑jurisdictional rides, exploring Medi‑Cal billing for clustered medical trips, and offering optional state technical assistance or software procurement for small agencies.

Next steps: staff agreed to add a specific funding‑assessment recommendation and return with more detailed options for harmonization, eligibility verification services, and potential pilot programs.