Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991 TAG: 9103061212
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They say many people on Social Security and fixed incomescan't afford the charge that was recently approved by City Council. They will ask council to reduce the fare that will take effect March 18.
"We feel the $1.50 charge is just too steep. Some people just don't have that much money, especially if they have to use the service three or four times a week," said Shawne Kirkland.
Kirkland said today she has collected about 70 signatures on a petition urging council to lower the fare. Handicapped groups will take their appeal to council March 25 when it meets in its capacity as directors of the bus system.
"We feel that a charge of 75 cents to $1 would be more affordable and practical," she said. "I think most people would be willing to pay that much."
The fare for bus service is $1 and 50 cents for elderly and handicapped passengers.
The $1.50 fare for van service will cover a one-way trip. Passengers who use the service for a round trip will have to pay $3 a day and $15 a week.
Valley Metro officials said the charge will partially offset the cost for a 50 percent expansion of the service that is provided by vans equipped with wheelchair lifts.
The bus system has provided the service for several years. It contracts with Roanoke Agencies Dial-A-Ride, a transportation company for social service agencies in the Roanoke Valley. RADAR has vans equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Stephen Mancuso, Valley Metro's general manager, recommended the $1.50 fare. He said it will cover the same proportion of the cost for van service as the fares for bus service, which is heavily subsidized by federal, state and city funds.
The cost of providing the van service averages $10.27 per trip, he said. The fare for the similar service is $2.20 in Richmond and $1.50 in several other cities in Virginia, he said.
When the fare was approved, council members said they were concerned that it might be a financial hardship for handicapped residents. But they said the city faces budget cuts in many areas and must try to balance services and fees for all residents.
Mayor Noel Taylor said council would monitor the charge and make adjustments if necessary.
A coalition of handicapped organizations recently urged council to extend the hours for the service. The group complained that reservations must be made a week in advance for some trips because of the heavy demand.
Mancuso said the demand has increased in recent months. In the past, many community agencies used their own vehicles to transport their handicapped clients, but some started using RADAR's services because of budget cuts and funding problems, he said.
by CNB