[Nfbc-info] Paratransit regulations

Wed Mar 30 05:40:45 UTC 2016

Mike and all others

First, in some respects, my life is better because para transit is just one
more option that I have. As for "windows" and penalties, I miss the point of
having a "window" if there's consequence for being outside of the window. In
other words, why have a rule if there's no point to follow it. Make sense?
As for favoritism,well, a while back the Regional Center threatened to file
a class-action suit against San Diego MTS and, I think it was Laidlaw at the
time. Their cliennts were being taken advantage of because some riders had
no way to communicate how long they had been kept on para transit. The
class-action suit was dropped... one of the concessions was for Regional
Center to receive more than 50% of the subscription rides. Many of the
regional center clients reside in group homes/board and care homes. Clusters
of clients are picked up; at the same time; or close to that, on a daily
basis. Fast-forward. Instead of scheduleing the "Extra Board drivers" to
drive vans sitting in the yard, many of us leave at ungodly hours in the
morning or wait crazy long periods of time later in the day because
subscription riders/ regional enter, monopolizes the availability of the
ride service. Make some sense? 

Lisa 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Hingson via Nfbc-info
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 4:45 PM
To: 'NFB of California List' <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Michael Hingson <mike at michaelhingson.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] Paratransit regulations

Lisa,

As Ted said the regulations do vary from place to place. The ADA created the
concept for para transit. The Department of Transportation then put in place
the rules and regulations agencies are required to follow in order to
receive federal funding which makes up most of the money used to pay for
rides.

To my knowledge the federal regs do not go down to the detail of dealing
with windows and penalties. I also am not aware of any California statutes
that go further in this area then the fed.

Your point about addressing one specific population over others is an
interesting one. When I chaired the board of Whistlestop, the Marin County
para transit agency, we did provide most of the transportation for persons
with medical appointments. However, their rides were not given to the
exclusion of other people. The agency did have contracts to provide medical
transportation services, but we were obligated to provide all para transit
rides as specified by our contract. If you feel you are facing
discrimination you could file a complaint with the Justice Department. I
hope this helps. 

Best Regards,

Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa
Irving via Nfbc-info
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 5:46 PM
To: NFB of California List <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] Paratransit regulations

I would like to direct this topic to Mike Tim Ted and all other
knowledgeable individuals who might sit on committees or work with entities
overseeing Paratransit. As you can see from Mary's response and for my
information there a different standards for for Paratransit providers that
is, there seems to be no consistency with the allowed window or actual
consequences to the Paratransit provider. On one hand, according to Mary,
her paratransit service provider gives a free ride if the driver is outside
of his or her window. On the other hand, down here in San Diego no free
rides are given unless the driver is an hour late. Go figure they have a 20
minute window but there appear to be no consequences until the drivers an
hour late where is there the incentive to be on time?

I'm prior occasions I have read some of the Paratransit regulations that is
why I'm asking folks on the listserv about the regulations because they are
not crystal-clear and there appeared to be different standards from provider
to provider. What does California law say? The 88 appears to be somewhat
ambiguous to perhaps I'm mistaken

On a similar thread, at what point or Paratransit providers discriminating
against the general population of Paratransit users when the bulk of
subscription rides are assigned to one specific population within the
disability community?

Respectfully,
Lisa Irving

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 28, 2016, at 10:07 AM, Mary Willows via Nfbc-info
<nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> You can google the regulations for your service.  Each one is a little 
> different.  Up here (Tri Valley) it is 15 minutes either side of your 
> pick up time.  If they miss that half hour your next ride is free.
> However, East Bay para transit does not offer that.
> MW
> 
> The National Federation of the blind knows that blindness is not the 
> characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day we raise 
> the expectations of blind people because low expectations create 
> obstacles between blind people and our dreams.
> You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
> 
> National Federation of the Blind of California (NFBC)
> 3934 Kern Court
> Pleasanton, CA 94588
> 925-462-8575
> 
> Thank you,
> Mary Willows, President NFBC
> mwillows at sbcglobal.net
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info
> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 7:44 AM
> To: NFB LIST SERVE
> Cc: Lisa Irving
> Subject: [Nfbc-info] Paratransit regulations
> 
> I have a question about Paratransit regulations. At what point are 
> there consequences for Paratransit providers when they are outside of 
> their window? San Diego Paratransit has a 20 minute window.
> 
> Best,
> Lisa Irving
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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