New Massachusetts Paratransit Commission and Public Sessions Announced
The Commission for the Reform of Community, Social Service and Paratransit Transportation Services in the Commonwealth, established by Governor Deval L. Patrick as Executive Order No. 530, is engaged in a Commonwealth-wide initiative to examine and offer suggestions to improve and reform Community, Social Service and Paratransit transportation. This Sixteen member Commission, co-chaired by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is comprised of individuals with a wide range of expertise, including leaders from Councils on Aging, the disability community, state government, service providers, and most importantly users of the system. Linda Guiod, Executive Vice President of Chapter Programs, Services, and Advocacy of the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society, has been appointed to the commission.
Paratransit Transportation Commission Final Report
Public participation and input is critical to the Commission’s understanding of transportation needs, concerns and ideas for improving these critical services utilized by persons with disabilities, persons with low incomes, persons with Limited English Proficiency, and seniors and visitors to the Commonwealth. Over the next two months, the Commission will hold a series of six (6) Public Comment and Dialogue sessions across the Commonwealth and asks for feedback on recommended reforms, restructuring and cost-savings initiatives, including:
- Recommended service improvements or modifications to maintain or enhance current service levels and delivery method while achieving efficiencies and cost-savings;
- Potential modifications, if any, to existing eligibility criteria utilized by the RIDE, Regional Transit Authorities and human service agencies; and
- Any other reforms, initiatives or improvements to paratransit services in the Commonwealth that will enhance the quality, customer-service or efficiency of these services.
We encourage paratransit users, community and social service users and providers, as well as other interested stakeholders and the general public, to participate in any of these sessions to speak to Commission members, provide input, and offer recommendations.
The Commission will review all public comments and release a report with recommendations. Please check back in late December to early January for a link to the report.