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SolTrans board opens public outreach on revised ADA no-show policy, schedules Feb. 19 hearing
Summary
SolTrans staff proposed switching paratransit no-show tallies from calendar months to a rolling 30-day window, shortening the cancellation notice from two hours to one hour, and adding an appeals process; the board authorized outreach and set a public hearing for Feb. 19, 2026, by unanimous vote.
Solano County Transit staff unveiled proposed minor revisions to the agency's ADA paratransit no-show policy and the board unanimously authorized staff to begin public outreach and to hold a public hearing at the board's Feb. 19, 2026 meeting.
Angel, the staff presenter, said the proposals respond to recent Federal Transit Administration (FTA) triennial findings and operational best practices: change the no-show tallying period from a calendar month to a rolling 30-day window, shorten the required advance cancellation window from two hours to one hour, and formally include an appeals process that the existing policy lacked. "When we reviewed the policy ... the 30 day period offered more flexibility both for riders and the agency," Angel said.
Outreach and practical details: Angel outlined multiple outreach channels staff will use to notify paratransit riders: mailed letters to active paratransit customers, signs on buses, recorded hold messages for dispatch calls, an on-board QR-code survey, and direct staff assistance by phone for riders who prefer to give feedback by telephone. Staff also said they would coordinate the proposal with the Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) before returning for final action.
Board questions and response: Board members asked how a one-hour cancellation window would affect dispatch and whether technology (automated text reminders or auto-enrollment with opt-out) could reduce no-shows. Angel said most agencies operate with a one-hour window and that dispatchers can use MDTs to adjust operators's schedules; staff also confirmed existing options for telephone and text reminders and said they could study auto-enroll-with-opt-out options.
Board action: The board voted unanimously to (1) provide feedback on the proposed revisions, (2) authorize staff to begin outreach to ADA paratransit riders, and (3) schedule a public hearing on Feb. 19, 2026. Staff said mailed notices to active riders would go out immediately and that bus signage and other outreach materials were already prepared pending any final edits.
Next steps: Staff will conduct outreach and return to the board at the Feb. 19 meeting to close the public hearing and consider final adoption of the revised no-show policy.
