Arlington council approves Handy Tran, on-demand fare changes after public hearing

Arlington City Council voted Jan. 6 to approve a restructuring of fares for the city’s Handy Tran paratransit and on-demand transportation services, a change staff said will take effect March 2, 2026.

Alicia Winkelblick, director of transportation, told the council the proposal raises Handy Tran fares from $2 to $3 per ride and establishes a distance-based on-demand structure of $3–$8 per trip, with many trips remaining at $3–$5. The proposal would replace monthly and weekly passes with nonexpiring ride-credit bundles sold at a discount (for example, a $30 credit for $25 and a $90 credit for $65). Staff said 52% of trips fall in the 0–4.5 mile range and that the city followed Federal Transit Administration public-notice requirements and received 102 public comments during the outreach period.

The changes were presented as a way to better align Arlington’s paratransit fares with regional comparators and to help the service remain financially sustainable. Staff noted operating costs are well above farebox revenue: the on-demand service costs about $17 per ride on average while farebox receipts cover a portion of that amount.

Residents and advocates urged the council to protect riders with low incomes and disabilities. Doctor Crystal Joy Turner, a precinct chair, described Handy Tran as a “lifeline” for her disabled mother and said even a $1 increase can force painful trade-offs between medical care and basic needs. Other speakers said the loss of monthly passes, potential changes to service boundaries and elimination of some subscription options would disproportionately harm seniors and riders without cars.

Councilmembers asked staff whether a hardship or reduced-fare option exists. Winkelblick said the city operates a nonprofit-run free-ride program in partnership with local organizations (Mission Arlington, Salvation Army and others). That program is limited, handled on a case-by-case basis and no longer receives Community Development Block Grant funding; the city subsidizes the current nonprofit assistance from the general fund. Council members were told federal law prevents the city from charging variable fares by income.

Councilmember Gallante moved to approve the fare restructuring and Councilmember Hogg seconded. After discussion about outreach to riders who may not afford increases, the council voted to pass the motion. Mayor Jim Ross announced the motion passed. Staff said they would carry out an implementation and rider-notification plan ahead of the March 2 effective date and will coordinate with local nonprofits to help eligible residents access assistance.

The council’s action changes the pricing structure but does not reduce staffing or service hours. Staff emphasized they will hold Handy Tran and on-demand staff in the lobby after the hearing to answer rider-specific questions and that outreach materials will be distributed to onboard riders.

Council members who supported the change said it was grounded in data and needed to maintain service quality. Those who opposed or urged caution asked staff to develop clearer communications, a hardship mechanism where legally feasible, and to prioritize outreach to seniors and disabled riders.

The council did not adopt a new income-based fare; instead, it directed staff to coordinate existing nonprofit assistance and report back on outreach and support plans.