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Paratransit users and advocates press for 'true on‑demand' pilot
Summary
Paratransit users and disability advocates told the committee that day‑ahead scheduling limits spontaneity and social participation, and urged support for a 'true on‑demand' pilot and application for state micro‑transit and community transit grants.
Advocates and paratransit users urged the Public Service and Transportation Committee to support a 'true on‑demand' paratransit pilot to reduce the restrictive day‑ahead scheduling that many users say prevents spontaneous trips and wastes time.
Benji Kemper, community organizer at Your Access Advocates, said that current paratransit rules force riders to schedule rides a day in advance. “Too often in this in Worcester, people with disabilities are forced to live small ... with paratransit, you have to schedule a day in advance,” he said, arguing that an on‑demand option would allow people to take part in social, work and medical trips without planning a full day around one appointment.
Nancy Gotkolsi, who identified herself as a WRTA paratransit user, described experiences of not being able to access cooling centers and other last‑minute needs because of the scheduling requirement and asked the city and WRTA for continued support of an on‑demand pilot. Asa, an organizer with the 0 Fare WRTA Coalition, and Will Talbot of Strong Towns Worcester also voiced support and urged the council to press the WRTA board ahead of September grant application deadlines.
Committee members and staff discussed feasibility and costs: city staff said the Mobility Action Plan identifies on‑demand as an option for areas that lack density for fixed routes, but cautioned that micro‑transit is expensive to operate. Advocates replied that two state grant streams (a $4 million community transit grant and a $10 million micro‑transit grant) open in September and that Worcester should prepare applications.
The committee signaled support for further study and asked WRTA and staff to prioritize outreach and grant coordination; no pilot was approved at this meeting.
