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Disability advocates tell council JTA 'Connection Plus' changes risk job access; cite large fare increase for some riders
Summary
Speakers representing people with disabilities said proposed JTA fare changes to Connection Plus would significantly raise costs and threaten employment access for riders who rely on paratransit; advocates urged the council to require clearer, line‑item reporting and to seek sustainable alternatives.
Advocates for people with disabilities told the City Council on March 10 that proposed fare changes to JTA’s Connection Plus same‑day paratransit service risk making transit unaffordable and unreliable for riders who depend on it to get to work.
Sharon Dyes, speaking for disability stakeholders, described the proposed fare structure as unsustainable for frequent users: “On April 2nd, the increase for me will be 291%,” she said, giving an example of how changes would sharply raise costs for regular riders. Dyes said the disability community fears the revised pricing model ($10 for the first 12 miles, $2.50 per additional mile in the community meeting summary) will cause severe hardship and urged the council to keep the Connection Plus program sustainable and preserve timely service.
Jose Morales, representing disability stakeholders, said JTA had convened stakeholder meetings but had not yet reached a sustainable resolution. Morales urged the council to ensure that appropriate JTA representatives and consultants attend upcoming meetings to provide detailed line‑item transparency on the agency’s group health and operating costs and explore alternatives that could lower overall system costs while preserving access for riders with disabilities.
What the council heard: advocates requested continued stakeholder engagement, clearer transparency on the proposed fare structure and JTA operating assumptions, and immediate consideration of interim or patch solutions to maintain access until a viable long‑term plan is agreed.
Source: Public comment by disability‑community speakers during the March 10 council meeting.
