Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991                   TAG: 9103070409
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HANDICAPPED-VAN CHARGE PROTESTED

They say many people on Social Security and fixed incomes can't afford the charge, recently approved by City Council. They will ask council to reduce the fare, which is to 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 Wednesday that 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 regular bus service is $1. Elderly and handicapped passengers are charged 50 cents.

Valley Metro officials said the charge will partially offset the cost of a 50 percent expansion of the service, 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.

Stephen Mancuso, Valley Metro's general manager, recommended the $1.50 fare. He said it would 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 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.

Mancuso said the demand has increased recently. In the past, many community agencies used their own vehicles to transport handicapped clients, but some started using RADAR's services because of budget cuts and funding problems, he said.