Disabled riders, advocates urge council to stop JTA fare hike and preserve Connection Plus
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Summary
Dozens of residents, disability advocates and drivers told the Jacksonville City Council Jan. 27 that proposed fare changes to JTA's Connection Plus paratransit would make the service unaffordable, jeopardizing jobs and independence; the council has delayed any immediate action and JTA has pushed a decision to April 2, speakers said.
Dozens of Jacksonville residents and disability advocates urged the City Council on Jan. 27 to stop proposed changes to JTA's Connection Plus paratransit program, saying higher fares and operational shifts would cost riders their independence and, in some cases, their jobs.
"Removing the service for us is critical. It will reduce our independence," said Sharon Dykes during the public-comment period, which the council limited to 90 minutes and 1.5 minutes per speaker because of heavy turnout.
Why it matters: Connection Plus serves riders with disabilities who depend on door-to-door transportation for work, medical appointments and daily life. Multiple speakers gave concrete examples of the financial effect of the proposed rate structure: Susan Bell said the change would cost her daughter roughly $31 each way ('$62 a day), Mary Jo Cullerton said monthly costs could rise from about $400 to $1,500, and several speakers described frequent daily trips that would make new fares unsustainable.
What speakers said: Jose Morales, development director for the Center for Independent Living Jacksonville, told the council that the city's intervention delayed an immediate removal of the existing service and pushed the implementation date out. "The solution has been delayed to April 2," he said, thanking the council for prompting JTA to reconsider and urging officials to keep Connection Plus affordable for the people who use it.
Other testimony raised operational and oversight concerns. Sherry Mafnes Malingraft urged an independent audit after alleging multiple users had been allowed to share or abuse JTA star cards, which she said could inflate costs for everyone. Pamela Gray, a parent of a disabled rider, questioned whether the agency had enough vans and drivers to sustain a revised program and described long hold times on customer lines.
Council context and next steps: Council members said the item remains under review; several council members pointed to recent committee work that prompted additional questions of JTA and its budget projections. Councilman Layton noted auditors' findings showed JTA moved from a projected $3 million favorable variance to roughly $19 million unfavorable in the quarterly summary, and said council pressure had helped prompt further scrutiny of JTA's plans.
What the agency says: During the hearing, speakers credited JTA staff for listening to concerns in recent meetings but pressed for more concrete commitments on price and service continuity. The council did not take a final vote on Connection Plus changes at the Jan. 27 meeting; public commenters and advocates said the agency's decision has been delayed until April 2.
Bottom line: Residents who rely on Connection Plus described the service as essential for employment and independence and urged elected officials to ensure any redesign is affordable, transparent and includes safeguards against misuse. The council's next substantive action will depend on JTA's revised plan and additional analysis requested by city auditors.
