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SFMTA outlines paratransit services and Van Ness stop changes; commissioners press on accessibility
Summary
SFMTA staff briefed the commission on SF Access paratransit services, temporary accessible platforms for Van Ness construction, and a stop-change SOP that includes screening with Senior and Disability Action; commissioners raised concerns about longer walks to consolidated stops and impacts on seniors.
SFMTA staff told the Department of Disability and Aging Services commission on Friday that the city's paratransit program provides door-to-door ADA service, group-van trips and taxi subsidies while also introducing new outreach and temporary-access solutions during Van Ness construction.
Jonathan Chang, a paratransit planner, described the three modes of service: SF Access prescheduled ADA van service, group-van service for adult-day centers and employment, and a taxi program with a debit-card subsidy. "For every $6 the rider gives to paratransit, we put $30 of value onto a taxi debit card for them to use to pay for the meter fare," Chang said, explaining the subsidy arrangement.
SFMTA communicators outlined the Van Ness Improvement Project's outreach and the consolidation to 11 permanent stops chosen for spacing, grade and connection considerations. The agency said temporary accessible platforms and moveable benches will be deployed during construction, and that a dedicated project phone line and office hours are available for neighborhood concerns.
Sandra Padilla summarized a stop-change standard operating procedure developed with Senior and Disability Action (SDA) that asks staff to flag changes when a stop is within 650 feet of a senior or medical facility, when proposed spacing increases by 300 feet or more, when grades exceed 6 percent, or when an accessible stop would be removed. Padilla said those flags prompt early outreach with SDA and more intensive notice and door-to-door contact when changes are large.
Commissioners voiced concerns about the practical effect on seniors of walking an extra 300—600 feet to reach consolidated stops, especially along Van Ness where many senior housing developments are clustered. SFMTA staff said some permanent stop decisions were made during the environmental impact study and may not be easily changed, but they offered to explore mitigations during construction and to continue outreach.
Commissioners also asked how ride-hailing companies (TNCs) have affected taxi availability for paratransit; SFMTA said the number of paratransit taxi trips has increased but the ramp-taxi (wheelchair-accessible taxi) supply has been stressed. To support fleet availability, SFMTA has placed incentives for ramp-taxi drivers (a $10 incentive per wheelchair trip, $15 in certain neighborhoods or at night), airport priority for high-performing drivers, and $600 monthly support for new ramp-taxi drivers who purchase vehicles.
Commissioners requested the electronic presentation materials and asked SFMTA to prioritize outreach to communities of concern and senior facilities affected by the Van Ness changes.
