Anchorage accessibility commission tables transportation proposals after debate over safety, profiling and funding

Unidentified Speaker (commission member) presented a package of proposals aimed at improving accessible transportation for people with disabilities, including a plan for free or expanded U Pass coverage, a crisis-response team to ride regular bus routes and de-escalate incidents, and a small fleet of on-demand vehicles for time-sensitive trips such as job interviews and last-minute medical needs.

The speaker described the crisis-response idea as a trained team that would "go on the buses and deescalate behaviors before they become out of control," intercepting people the speaker said were sometimes "dumped" from hospitals and arranging follow-up care rather than allowing incidents to escalate onboard. On operational details, the speaker said the team would ride regular routes (not anchor rides) and could…