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Panel backs change to Transportation Services Improvement Fund reimbursements
Summary
The Transportation and Environment Committee on March 24 recommended approval of Executive Regulation 18-24 to reduce per-trip reimbursements for wheelchair-accessible taxi trips from $25 to $20, limit per-mile pay to $0.40 while a passenger is aboard, and cap reimbursable trips under 75 miles to stabilize the fund.
The Transportation and Environment Committee recommended approval March 24 of Executive Regulation 18-24, which trims certain reimbursements from the Transportation Services Improvement Fund (TSIF) to preserve program solvency while maintaining service for seniors and people with disabilities. Chair Glass said the fund stems from a 25-cent per-ride surcharge on transportation network company trips and supports transportation for people with limited incomes, seniors and riders with disabilities.
Council staff told the committee the fund's accumulated balance has been drawn down and projected to reach a negative $8,000,000 by fiscal 2030 if spending continues at current rates. "This regulation was trying to better align the expenditures of the TSIF with the revenues, to ensure a fund balance," said council staff member Kenny.
The regulation reduces the per-trip reimbursement for wheelchair-accessible vehicles from $25 to $20, limits mileage reimbursement to $0.40 per mile only for miles driven while carrying a passenger, and restricts reimbursable trips to those under 75 miles from pickup to match the county's definition of local travel. M. O'Brien, deputy director of the Department of Transportation, said pre-pandemic revenue was about $2.4 million a year, fell below $1 million during COVID and is now trending roughly 10% below pre-pandemic levels, which contributed to the decision to revise rates.
Sam Ogi, deputy general manager of special transportation, outlined past incentives and grants used to increase wheelchair-accessible capacity. Ogi said earlier grant structures paid smaller amounts in installments but later were changed to provide larger up-front payments to encourage vehicle purchases; as a result, the county's accessible taxi fleet has grown from about 26 vehicles in 2013 to roughly 80 today.
Councilmember Bauchner asked whether cutting the per-trip payment would dissuade drivers from purchasing or deploying accessible vehicles and whether limiting mileage reimbursement to only when a passenger is aboard could discourage pickups in more remote areas. Ogi and DOT staff said grants and prior incentives are a major part of recruitment and that staff will monitor service distribution and adjust the regulation if revenue or service patterns change.
Committee members expressed support for moving the regulation forward. Chair Glass closed the item by saying, "Without any objection, we'll support this regulation," and the committee forwarded the regulation to the full council for consideration.
Next steps: the committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the full Montgomery County Council as part of the approval process for Executive Regulation 18-24.
