Transit commission approves mental health, developmental disabilities for Para Transpo

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http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/transit-commission-approves-mental-health-developmental-disabilities-for-para-transpo (ขนาดไฟล์: 0 )

The transit commission Monday approved changes to Para Transpo, extending eligibility to customers with mental health and developmental disabilities.

The transit commission Monday approved expanded eligibility for Para Transpo, with general manager John Manconi assuring commissioners the city can afford it.

The big unknown, however, is how many more people will ask for eligibility when Transpo starts considering applications from customers with mental health and developmental disabilities in 2017.

Transpo figures between 800 and 2,000 more people could register with Para Transpo. The transit agency already sees increases in registrations under the current eligibility rules, which have been based on physical disabilities.

Manconi said Transpo is taking a “wait-and-see” approach to budgeting an increase associated with the expanded eligibility. Renegotiating a taxi contract, in particular, freed up money that can be used for adding trips on Para Transpo, Manconi said.

Para Transpo’s annual budget is about $33 million. The transit agency says the changes approved by the commission won’t cause the budget to increase.

“We’ll see what the uptake is and down the road if we need to make adjustments we’ll do that through our normal budgeting process,” Manconi said after the meeting.

There are about 13,000 customers registered with Para Transpo and roughly 10,000 are active users. There are about 800,000 trips annually on Para Transpo.

The changes to Para Transpo include hiring a firm to assess eligibility applications.

Para Transpo customer Linda Paul criticized Transpo’s plan to contract health experts to review customers’ eligibility. It could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 annually, but Transpo believes it can absorb the cost within existing budget constraints.

Personal doctors are the best judge of customers’ disabilities, Paul said.

Accessibility advocate Catherine Gardner agreed.

“It’s almost like questioning my doctor and my doctor knows me best,” Gardner said.

Manconi said he doesn’t want to make Transpo staff assess people’s disabilities.

“We’re not doctors. We don’t have that expertise,” Manconi said.

The transit agency hopes Para Transpo customers will consider using conventional buses to help free up capacity on the accessible mini buses.

Para Transpo user Bob Brown said he’s concerned about using conventional buses, especially at peak times when buses are packed.

“It’s not like you can just get on any bus,” Brown said.

Transpo assistant GM Troy Charter said bus drivers monitor the front of the bus to make sure the accessibility area is available for customers who need it.

Other changes to Para Transpo include an appeals panel for people whose eligibility applications are denied and a demerit point system for repeated cancellations and no-shows. Para Transpo sees about 25,000 no-shows for trips annually.

Registered Para Transpo users will also need to update their eligibility every three years.

Customers continue to ask for the ability to book trips online.

Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson, who sat on a sponsors group for the Para Transpo changes, said an online booking system is “complicated” but Transpo is still working on it.

Manconi said Transpo wants to make sure a new electronic fare system, Para Pay, works before implementing online booking. Para Pay is currently in a testing phase with some customers.

The changes to Para Transpo come after several months of consultation with riders. Most of the changes will come into effect by early 2017.

ที่มา: http://ottawacitizen.com/
วันที่โพสต์: 28/06/2559 เวลา 10:31:12 ดูภาพสไลด์โชว์ Transit commission approves mental health, developmental disabilities for Para Transpo

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http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/transit-commission-approves-mental-health-developmental-disabilities-for-para-transpo The transit commission Monday approved changes to Para Transpo, extending eligibility to customers with mental health and developmental disabilities. The transit commission Monday approved expanded eligibility for Para Transpo, with general manager John Manconi assuring commissioners the city can afford it. The big unknown, however, is how many more people will ask for eligibility when Transpo starts considering applications from customers with mental health and developmental disabilities in 2017. Transpo figures between 800 and 2,000 more people could register with Para Transpo. The transit agency already sees increases in registrations under the current eligibility rules, which have been based on physical disabilities. Manconi said Transpo is taking a “wait-and-see” approach to budgeting an increase associated with the expanded eligibility. Renegotiating a taxi contract, in particular, freed up money that can be used for adding trips on Para Transpo, Manconi said. Para Transpo’s annual budget is about $33 million. The transit agency says the changes approved by the commission won’t cause the budget to increase. “We’ll see what the uptake is and down the road if we need to make adjustments we’ll do that through our normal budgeting process,” Manconi said after the meeting. There are about 13,000 customers registered with Para Transpo and roughly 10,000 are active users. There are about 800,000 trips annually on Para Transpo. The changes to Para Transpo include hiring a firm to assess eligibility applications. Para Transpo customer Linda Paul criticized Transpo’s plan to contract health experts to review customers’ eligibility. It could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 annually, but Transpo believes it can absorb the cost within existing budget constraints. Personal doctors are the best judge of customers’ disabilities, Paul said. Accessibility advocate Catherine Gardner agreed. “It’s almost like questioning my doctor and my doctor knows me best,” Gardner said. Manconi said he doesn’t want to make Transpo staff assess people’s disabilities. “We’re not doctors. We don’t have that expertise,” Manconi said. The transit agency hopes Para Transpo customers will consider using conventional buses to help free up capacity on the accessible mini buses. Para Transpo user Bob Brown said he’s concerned about using conventional buses, especially at peak times when buses are packed. “It’s not like you can just get on any bus,” Brown said. Transpo assistant GM Troy Charter said bus drivers monitor the front of the bus to make sure the accessibility area is available for customers who need it. Other changes to Para Transpo include an appeals panel for people whose eligibility applications are denied and a demerit point system for repeated cancellations and no-shows. Para Transpo sees about 25,000 no-shows for trips annually. Registered Para Transpo users will also need to update their eligibility every three years. Customers continue to ask for the ability to book trips online. Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson, who sat on a sponsors group for the Para Transpo changes, said an online booking system is “complicated” but Transpo is still working on it. Manconi said Transpo wants to make sure a new electronic fare system, Para Pay, works before implementing online booking. Para Pay is currently in a testing phase with some customers. The changes to Para Transpo come after several months of consultation with riders. Most of the changes will come into effect by early 2017.

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