[Md-sligo] FW: Metro Access is going to be partnering with Uber

Wed Sep 7 19:59:55 UTC 2016

send this metroaccess gist to debby brown please &to all nfb of
Maryland hoo uTallLize MetroAccess transpotation services see you on
Saturday

On 9/7/16, Reyazuddin, Yasmin via MD-Sligo <md-sligo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Thanks to Charlie, I got this article. It will be helpful to get more
> details about the program.
> Yasmin, when you have a moment, there's an article that I found courtesy of
> NFB Newsline with regards to Metro Access partnering with Uber.  I hope that
> you enjoy it.  Thanks,
> Charlie
>
>
> Welcome to
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> Metro eyes app services to cut MetroAccess costs .
>
> Luz Lazo. The transition of thousands of MetroAccess trips to a less-costly
> option such as Uber or Lyft could save Metro as much as $6 million annually,
> the transit agency says.
>
> The agency hopes to start generating savings next spring, when some of
> Metro's disabled and elderly customers could choose to make their subsidized
> journeys via the ride-hailing services.
>
> Metro is moving forward with plans to partner with providers such as Uber
> and Lyft to establish an alternative to MetroAccess, its door-to-door
> service for the elderly and people with disabilities. Metro's plan is to
> launch the program, Abilities-Ride, on March 1, according to agency
> documents to be discussed at a board meeting Thursday.
>
> MetroAccess customers will have the choice of booking - through the use of
> technology - rides on the days they need them, a major improvement on the
> current MetroAccess rule that trips be booked 24 hours ahead.
>
> Metro estimates that between 150,000 and 250,000 trips will be taken during
> the first year of operations. This is projected to result in savings of $4
> million to $6 million in the first year, according to documents prepared for
> the board meeting.
>
> Metro will pay up to $15 per trip to the contracting companies, reducing its
> expenses significantly when compared with the MetroAccess cost of $44 per
> trip.
>
> "The program vendors are able to provide more flexible and less costly
> service because they are not required to carry the infrastructure required
> by paratransit providers," Metro officials said in the board report. "Metro
> aims to leverage their flexibility and low-cost option for the benefit of
> addressing the travel needs of MetroAccess customers.
>
> Abilities-Ride will be introduced in Maryland, where two-thirds of
> MetroAccess customers live. But transit officials say it could eventually be
> expanded to Metro's entire service area.
>
> Uber and Lyft top the list of prospective contractors for the service, which
> officials say also would answer customers' growing demand for same-day,
> app-based transportation services.
>
> Metro plans to issue a request for proposal at the end of this month with
> the intent of awarding contracts to as many as three companies in early
> January and start service in March.
>
> The ride-hailing option is expected to be popular among customers who do not
> need wheelchair-accessible vehicles to travel. Still, some people with
> disabilities and advocates have been critical of Metro's intent to partner
> with the companies, saying they lack wheelchair-accessible vehicles and
> training in dealing with special-needs populations.
>
> Metro said the program will be designed to generate savings while ensuring
> that many of the demands of the community are met. The agency acknowledges
> that not all of the vehicles will be wheelchair-accessible.
>
> Metro has set a range of requirements for the service providers, including
> that they offer on-demand services, have a rigorous vetting process for
> drivers and offer drivers training in dealing with people with
> disabilities.
>
> Metro's Accessibility Advisory Committee, which offers the agency feedback
> on issues affecting those with disabilities, has urged the agency to set
> safety and security standards for the program, to be open to contracting
> with local transportation providers instead of Uber and Lyft, and to keep in
> mind that many elderly and disabled customers cannot navigate Web-based
> applications.
>
> The group, however, has also backed Metro's objective to sustain the
> more-costly MetroAccess service, acknowledging that the new program could
> help lower overall costs. A paratransit ride averages about $50 in the
> Washington area, a much higher cost than using rail or bus, each of which
> averages between $3 and $4 per trip.
>
> Other transit agencies across the country also are pursuing partnerships
> with app-based transportation providers to lower paratransit costs. Metro
> officials have said that expanding options and reducing costs are essential
> as demand for service increases with aging populations and rising disability
> rates.
>
> luz.lazo at washpost.com<mailto:luz.lazo at washpost.com>
>
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