[Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes

[David Evans]

Dear Dianne,

There is very little choice in the use of Para-transit.
This is because you must go through an eligibility process, fill out and 
application and maybe even face a functional assessment to be allowed to use 
Para-transit service.  Being Blind is not a reason just by itself.  You must 
have other disabilities, in addition to Blindness, in order to use 
Para-transit.
Some of these "conditions" could be, but not limited to, the inability to 
navigate the system, fixed route that is
Other medical or physical conditions that limit one's ability to walk or 
stand for at least 30 minutes, heart conditions, high or low blood pressure 
issues, dizziness, fainting spells, disorientation, vertigo, seizures, sun 
light sensitivity and the list goes on and on.
Just being Blind will not get you on the van instead of the fixed route bus. 
No one needs to qualify to ride the fixed route bus.
The fare for riding on Para-transit is usually double what the fixed route 
fare is, even thou the ride times can be the same.
You have less flexibility with the Para-transit as you are locked into a 
pick up window and can not change on the same day.  Fixed route lets you be 
able to change your mind or plans so you can leave earlier or stay later or 
add other trips on the spur of the moment.  You can not do this with 
Para-transit.
With Para-transit, you need to be prepared in case your ride does not show 
up on time or something happens to the vehicle before it gets there to pick 
you up.  If they take you somewhere, they do have the obligation to come 
back and take you home again.
I tell all my Para-transit consumers, to carry a cell phone with the 
Para-transit phone number programmed into the phone and call if you are at 
the end of your 30 minute window and ask where your vehicle is.  Always plan 
your trip in case you need to wait somewhere for the late vehicle.  Don't 
wait outside if you can help it and always be aware of the weather and the 
area you may have to wait in.  Pick some place that is safe, lighted and 
near other people if you can.
The inability to cross major busy streets and highways may or may not be a 
good enough reason to get you onto Para-transit.  I know that this a common 
fear that many Blind people have, but fear of crossing busy streets is not , 
by itself a qualifier to get on the van.  This is an issue that can be 
addressed with travel training and by asking that there be traffic control 
lights at the intersections you must use to cross at.
If there are no lights or sidewalks, then you have a reason to use the 
Para-transit over the fixed route bus.
It is illegal to walk along a state or federal highway or right of way or 
upon any freeway.  This can get you Para-transit service too.
No one should have to risk their life in an unreasonable manner to get where 
they need to go

Weather can be a great factor on some people's ability to travel safely. 
Too hot, too wet or too cold effects everyone, but some people more than 
most.
Someone who has poor balance or mobility is at a real disadvantage in these 
conditions.  People in wheelchairs have they own problems too.  They do not 
recommend that you get your $15,000 dollar electric wheelchair soaking wet 
in the rain or try to drive it through the mud or standing water.
Para-transit is there for a reason, some people need it and it is just 
another way for some people to get where they need to go and retain their 
indepenance and quality of life.

David Evans NFBF and GD Jack
MV Transit Consumer Advocate

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes


> Hi Guys,
>
> You know, I have been thinking about this paratransit v. fixed route 
> discussion, and a question has occurred to me.  Why is it a requirement 
> that the blind are any different from the sighted? I'll explain.
>
> Of course, as federationists, we believe--we know-- that the blind are 
> just as capable as the sighted and should strive to be productive, 
> independent citizens. This is a very good and necessary thing. But should 
> our methods of doing so be dictated?
>
> As I said last week, I know some sighted people who would stay home from 
> work and other family activities while their car was in the shop, rather 
> than get on a city "fixed route" bus. This is true.  I do know these 
> people. However, I also know some sighted people who are perfectly capable 
> of driving, some of whom actually own cars, who choose not to drive. They 
> don't want to drive, so they make the choice to suffer all of the 
> inconveniences and in climate weather that the fixed route has to offer. 
> To me, this is absolutely 100% ludicrous! I cannot imagine having the 
> physical, mental, and financial ability to drive, and choosing not to do 
> so. That makes no sense at all to me. But some sighted people make that 
> choice. So why should we as blind people be any different?
>
> I remember years ago there was a debate about the topic of dog v. cane, in 
> so much that, I believe, there was an entire issue of the Monitor 
> dedicated to the topic. I think this boils down to pretty much the same 
> thing.
>
> If I choose to use a dog and you choose to use a cane, does that make you 
> more competent or independent than I or vice versa? By the same token, if 
> you choose to ride paratransit and I choose to ride fixed route, yet we 
> are both going to work, to church, to NFB meetings, or any number of other 
> community activities, who is to say that one of us is more independent 
> than the other? Do you know what I mean? We all make choices in our lives 
> depending on our own needs, wants and comfort levels whether we are blind 
> or sighted, and if someone can and would rather use paratransit should 
> they not have the right to make that choice? Is it really any different 
> than accepting a ride from a friend who offers you one? Why is it any 
> different from paying a driver? You aren't riding paratransit for free, 
> and you aren't the one who set the rates.
>
> As I said, though I do use paratransit from time to time, I'm not a major 
> fan of the paratransit in my area myself, so please don't misunderstand. 
> But if this is what a fellow blind person chooses to do, who are we to say 
> he's wrong? I don't know, am I off base here? Tell me what  you all think.
>
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
> "It is service that measures success."
> George Washington Carver
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of David Evans
> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 12:26 PM
> To: davidb521 at gmail.com; Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
> Dear David,
>
> Para-transit is there mostly for those who can not  or sometimes can not 
> use
> the fixed route bus system for all of their trips.
> Your use of Para-transit can be based upon your physical condition and
> disability or even barriers in the environment that prevent you from being
> able to  access and use the fixed route bus.
> I say, that you should use the fixed route service first , if you can, but
> if you can not, take the Para-transit.
> Under the ADA, the Para-transit service can serve no less than 3/4 miles,
> either side of a fixed bus route, as a crow flies, nor more than 1.5 miles
> either side, with the support of the local government.
> Most everywhere it is held to the 3/4 mile rule, but the local government
> can exceed this if they want to.
> Here in Palm Beach County Florida, we have a ADA "core area" that is 
> bonded
> on the east by the ocean, on the west by the Florida Turnpike, on the 
> North
> by RCA blvd and on the south by the Palm Beach/Broward County line.
> There are several fixed bus routes that stick out of the west side and in
> these areas we follow the 3/4 mile rule around the bus routes.
> We have a core area to prevent making "islands" of isolation with in areas
> that are mostly or surrounded by fixed route services.  This is caused
> mostly by "walled communities" where the fixed route bus is fenced out and
> the riders are fenced in with poor access to the fixed bus system.  We 
> have
> lots of these in my county and this makes using the fixed route system 
> very
> hard for many people, even the non-disabled.
> Only the disable can access the Para-transit in this case.
> IF there are barriers in the environment that you can not get around, such
> as a major highway, a river or the lack of safe pathways for you to follow
> to get there, you may be a person who needs to use the Para-transit for 
> most
> or all of your trips.
> If you have a physical or medical condition that makes it very hard or
> impossible to use the fixed route system then you might use the 
> Para-transit
> service instead.
> You must go through a application process to get Para-transit service and
> then that service can have conditions placed upon it depending on your
> physical or medical conditions, your ability to access and navigate the
> fixed route system and its availability in the areas you want to go to.
> Conditions such as severe diabetic neuropathy, poor balance or the 
> inability
> to walk or stand for more than 30 minutes,  Certain medications that make
> you vulnerable to sun or heat stroke, have  seizures or you have bad
> arthritis or a heart condition.
>  There is also the busy streets you can not get across to access the bus
> both ways.
> We are very lucky here in Palm Beach County in that our County 
> Commissioners
> have funded our service very well, but there is still lots of room for
> improvement.  We also have a State of Florida program that serves Seniors,
> the Disabled, Children at Risk and even the able bodied poor who do not 
> have
> a car or who can not drive.  It is called the Transportation Disadvantaged
> Program and the funding comes from a $1.50 auto tag fee and goes to all 67
> counties in the state.  In most areas, there are only about 13 places in 
> the
> state where there is ADA service because there is a fixed bus route 
> system.
> The TD program is the transit service of last resort.
>
> If you want to know more, please write me back and be specific and I will
> try to answer
> I am able to use the Para-transit as I have medical conditions that can 
> make
> it hard or even dangerous for me to have to use the fixed route system by
> itself.  I do use the fixed route service as much as I can and even teach
> others how to use it, the Para-transit and the Tri-Rail system too as a
> travel instructor.  I sometimes push myself and use it even when it can be
> dangerous for me because I think it is important for others.
> I never ask anyone to do anything that I will not do myself.
>
> David Evans, and GD Jack
> MV Transit  Consumer Advocate.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David" <davidb521 at gmail.com>
> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 1:17 PM
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
>
>> Hello. I was reading the thread discussing the pros and cons of blind
>> driving, and noticed some discussion regarding paratransit versus fixed
>> routes. What I am wondering is this. Does paratransit in most cities
>> closely
>> follow fixed routes within a certain radius as I assume it does in Palm
>> Beach County? From what I read from the list, paratransit is neither
>> superior or inferior to fixed routes, hence it's name. Therefore, if
>> blindness is your only disability, and your travel skills enable you to
>> travel anywhere you please with confidence, as is the case with me, what
>> are
>> the advantages of paratransit, if any? I am interested in hearing your
>> thoughts on this.
>>
>> David
>>
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>
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