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Board explores microtransit, vouchers and contracting to reduce paratransit costs
Summary
Commissioners and transit staff discussed pilot programs, innovative service grants (90/10 split) and the feasibility of using ride‑hail vouchers versus operating fixed‑route or door‑to‑door services.
Board members discussed potential alternatives to expensive individualized paratransit trips, including vouchers for ride‑hail services, microtransit and contracting arrangements that might reduce operating subsidies.
Joanne Granger said the Community Transportation Coordinator can apply for innovative service grants that would let counties pilot voucher or ride‑hail programs: "We can actually apply for innovative service to do, like, Uber vouchers or vouchers to other taxis," she said, noting those grants are typically a 90/10 split of grant to local match. Granger also explained that wheelchair trips often require Uber Health and that not all ride‑hail options can accommodate paratransit riders without programmatic adjustments.
Commissioners emphasized the need to ensure ADA compliance and to model how fare increases or voucher pilots would affect federal and state grant match calculations. Staff cautioned that fare increases reduce net expenditures used to calculate grant shares, which can lower federal/state match availability and must be modeled before policy changes.
