<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Friends:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> I am Robert Jaquiss from Missoula Montana. We have a very nice paratransit system here. The User calls one day or more ahead and leaves a message when he/she wants rides. The scheduler returns the call and an automatic system generates a reminder call since it is possible to schedule a ride up to two weeks in advance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>All the vehicles have either ramps or lifts for wheelchair users. The rides are mostly close to the expected time. The service is great. Stay warm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Robert<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBO-Linn-benton <nfbo-linn-benton-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Kristen Jocums via NFBO-Linn-benton<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 5, 2026 7:12 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Oregon Linn-Benton Chapter List' <nfbo-linn-benton@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> kjocums@icloud.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBO-Linn-benton] Proposed HUGE changes to paratransit services for Benton County<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello Amazing Linn-Benton Chapter Members,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I am writing to ask for your assistance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Benton County is moving forward on plans to stop using Dial A Bus for paratransit services and other tax payer-paid rides. The County is looking at self-performing the services, meaning that they will hire new staff and change systems of delivery, resulting in a cost increase of at least $908,000.00 to the tax payer and causing Dial A Bus employees to lose their jobs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The current indication is that the County wants to move back to the style of scheduling and service they experimented with several years ago with the VIA software program. That was the system where they increased the amount of time they could make you wait for a ride and the amount of time you could be riding on the bus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There is a meeting Of the STIF Advisory Committee on March 2 from 2-4 pm where public comment can be made regarding the County’s plan. The County is supposed to attain the STIF’s approval on these types of changes, so the STIF needs to hear from riders on their thoughts about these proposed changes prior to making their decision on whether to approve or oppose the County plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The location of the meeting has not yet been determined. However, Dial A Bus will provide rides to the meeting. I will let you know when the location of the meeting is set. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have thoughts on the wisdom of the proposal to increase tax payer expenses while decreasing the quality of service to the rider, please clear your calendar and come to the meeting. Even if you do not want to speak at the meeting, your physical presence will show the STIF Advisory Committee how important you think this topic is.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I’ll be back in touch about more details as we move forward. It would be helpful if you could let me know if you can come and if you would like to speak or if you would like to be an audience member.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you so much for your amazing energy and passion, LB folks – we’re going to need it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Kristen Jocums<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>(706) 718-8055<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>