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Report to the community
Summer 2000

• Helping you make the right choices
• How the service area is determined
• 'Why you ride" can help serve you better
• Reminder to "pay your fare share"
• New Metro and Access Transportation materials
• Training for drivers will improve fixed-route service
• Paratransit Roadeo 2000
• For more information

Helping you make the right choices

Because of rising costs and increased demand, Metro Transit is implementing changes to make sure it is providing the most appropriate level of service to paratransit service riders. The spring 2000 issue of Accessible Services News (.PDF format) explained more about why Metro Transit is implementing changes in how it delivers paratransit service.

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Accessible Services' goal is to make the public transportation system more accessible so that people who can use the bus will, and those who cannot will have an appropriate, efficient alternative.

Metro Transit, along with other King County agencies and departments, must "deliver King County services better, faster and cheaper." For Accessible Services, that means making King County's public transportation system more accessible so that people who can use the bus will, and those who cannot will have an appropriate, efficient alternative.

Accessible Services shared this goal and plans to achieve it with participants at four public information meetings held in May and other public meetings held earlier. As discussed at those meetings, Accessible Services plans to accomplish this goal by:

• providing a more effective screening process for determining rider and trip eligibility
• exploring new technology
• educating and training riders, drivers and reservationists
• developing and supporting community transportation alternatives.

Changes in the Access Transportation program will take place gradually. Some have already begun. Accessible Services will keep you informed well before these changes are implemented about what they will mean to you. Some possible changes include fare increases and new travel alternatives.

How can you keep informed and make the best choices for your individual situation and transportation needs?

First, make sure you know how the program is changing. The spring issue of Accessible Services News, for example, explained changes in the Options program and how categories of eligibility are now established. Get a copy of that newsletter by contacting Accessible Services, or read it online (.PDF format).

Second, understand how Metro Transit's fixed-route bus service and Access Transportation's paratransit service work together. If regular fixed-route bus service is reduced or eliminated in a specific area, Access Transportation service in that area is reduced or eliminated, too. Knowing that is especially important if you live in a rural or semirural area. See "How the service area is determined."

Fixed-route bus service is revised three times each year, and each time Access Transportation's service area may be affected. The next service change for fixed-route bus service is Sept. 16, 2000. Call centers will have information about service area changes about mid-August.

Third, attend a public meeting. Accessible Services staff holds quarterly information meetings at which you can ask specific questions.

Thanks for your patience and your willingness to stay informed. Metro's Accessible Services staff is committed to helping you in this transition to more streamlined, cost-effective transportation services for King County's paratransit community.

How the service area is determined

Access Transportation's service area is established at three-quarters of one mile on either side of a regular, noncommuter bus route, as required by federal law. On the eastern edge of the service area, this boundary is larger-up to one and one-half miles from regular bus service.

Access Transportation must operate during the same days and hours as regular, noncommuter bus service. If regular, noncommuter bus service is reduced or eliminated, Access Transportation's service area will change accordingly.

For more information
Contact Metro’s Accessible Service Office:

• Phone: 206-263-3113
• TTY: 206-263-3116
• E-mail: Access.CustomerService@kingcounty.gov
• Fax: 206-263-3101
• Mail: King County Metro, Accessible Services, M.S. EXC-TR-1240, Suite 10, 821 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-1598.

For this information in accessible formats for people with disabilities, please call 206-263-3113 (voice) or 206-263-3116 (TTY).

Produced by Transportation Community Relations.

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