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Commission continues work on on-demand transportation for residents with mobility needs
Summary
Commission chair John Gentile said the panel is pursuing an on-demand transportation model to reduce costs for riders using large wheelchairs; he said the project faces affordability hurdles and that Danbury is coordinating with Bridgeport’s commission. No policy or contract was approved at the meeting.
Danbury’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities discussed ongoing efforts to expand on-demand transportation that would serve riders who need extra equipment or space.
"On demand transportation is set up like a cab service for people with disabilities where the cost for the cab service… would be the same as any other cab ride," Chair John Gentile said, but he acknowledged trips can cost "$80.80 dollars and up" for specialized service and that cost remains a major barrier.
Gentile said the commission has been pursuing solutions for years and recently consulted with the Bridgeport Commission for Persons with Disabilities to share approaches. "The more people involved in trying to work on the project, the better off we are," he said.
Why it matters: High per-trip costs and accessibility requirements for large wheelchairs make some transportation options prohibitively expensive for people who rely on specialized vehicles. Commission members said progress is incremental and subject to vendor, regulatory and funding constraints.
No formal action was taken; the discussion was presented as an ongoing project that requires continued coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and transportation providers.
Next steps: The commission will continue outreach and coordination; no procurement, contract award, or funding decisions were made at the Sept. 9 meeting.
