California seniors want taxi vouchers

In November 2006, the city launched the Manteca Transit system, atwo-route bus service that includes dial-a-ride service to qualifiedindividuals six days a week. The system replaced the city’s taxi voucher program which hadbeen in place since the early 1980’s, which gave about 550 disabled andelderly people a deep discount for taxi rides. The vouchers were deemed no longer cost effective by city staff, as Manteca spent$299,000, or $585 per person, for the vouchers in 2006. Once thecity grew past 50,000 residents, a transit system was needed toaccommodate more of the community as a whole, said Finance DirectorSuzanne Mallory. The city’s Finance Department and Public Works Department arejointly responsible for the Manteca Transit while the vacated positionof transportation analyst is filled, she said. Funding for the taxi-voucher program basically went to thetransit program, with added assistance from federal grant money. Thebuses had a ridership of about 3,000 passengers in May, according tocity staff. The majority of those who spoke Monday night felt the buseshave jeopardized the freedom of those who used city-fundedtransportation the most. It was supposed to be aroutine update on the status of the city’s new transit system. Instead,several members of the community — many there on behalf of the elderlyand disabled — urged bringing back a city-subsidized taxi voucherprogram. 

Source:  Tri-Valley Herald, http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_6184474