In a letter dated October 31, 2013 to MTA Chairman Thomas
Prendergast, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called on the MTA to reconsider the
newly instituted policy change that will end reimbursement for eligible riders
who utilize taxi or car services for intra-borough transit. The move continues
the practice of slashing the Access-A-Ride budget, hurting many disabled
seniors by making their travel more arduous. A copy of the official letter to
Chairman Prendergast is attached, and the text of the letter can be found
below:
Dear Chairman Prendergast:
It has recently been brought to my attention by several
constituents that there has been a policy change that will affect Access-A-Ride
service throughout the city for those who take advantage of the taxi/car
service authorization and reimbursement. It appears that Access-A-Ride will no
longer reimburse cab users for intra-borough rides, but will continue to honor
reimbursements for inter-borough cab rides for authorized riders. I believe
this is a change that will have a tangible and lasting negative impact on many
senior citizens throughout the city.
I understand that Access-A-Ride will continue to service
eligible seniors with their regular paratransit fleet, although recent cuts to
that program have already made travel a major chore for many seniors. But
it’s also worth noting that there are inherent advantages for seniors to
the taxi reimbursement service, including a less ridged travel schedule and no
threat of losing service if their appointments run late and they miss pick-up.
It’s interesting to me that a senior can lose Access-A-Ride membership
for being late a couple of times, yet Access-A-Ride is constantly late to their
scheduled pick-ups, sometimes missing the mark by hours, in many cases leaving
seniors stranded outside. In those situations, seniors who are stranded have little
recourse, and this new policy change will only make that situation worse for
them.
Cuts to Access-A-Ride services have become the norm
in New York City. The program, which helps thousands of disabled seniors attend
crucial doctor’s appointments and maintain normal lives, has proven to be
an invaluable resource for so many, and yet it always seems to be this most
vulnerable population that bears the brunt of budget cuts. Ending taxi
reimbursement for intra-borough cab rides is no exception. Considering
intra-borough rides would theoretically be shorter and thus cost less than
inter-borough rides, on its face this plan seems to not only make lives
difficult for disabled seniors, it also doesn’t seem to make as much
economic sense as it otherwise could. Regardless of the economic impact,
maintaining this service for certain seniors is the right thing to do, and I
think we owe it to them to reconsider this change.
Jeffrey Dinowitz.
