: News

Filed Under:

Possible Changes Ahead For MetroAccess

April 20, 2010
Play associated audio
comments
Residents listen to Metro officials brief them on proposed changes to the Metro Access service.
David Schultz
Residents listen to Metro officials brief them on proposed changes to the Metro Access service.

By David Schultz

Metro is considering making changes to the way it determines who is eligible for MetroAccess, its transit service for people with disabilities.

Currently, it uses a one-size-fits-all criteria. If Metro determines you're disabled and you're eligible for MetroAccess, you can use the service whenever you want. But Metro might take up a new criteria called conditional eligibility. That means you can use MetroAccess under some circumstances, depending on what type of disability you have and how severe it is.

Metro is currently facing a huge budget shortfall, and conditional eligibility could save it up to $6 million a year.

But Wendy Klancher, a transportation planner with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, says it could also make the eligibility process much more difficult.

"You really need to be able to fairly determine who can use MetroAccess," says Klancher, "on a trip by trip basis."

If the Metro Board approves conditional eligibility, it would take effect on July 1.

Arts & Culture

NPR

'Arrested Development' Leads The Charge For Old Brands In New Media

Brands that found their original audiences in traditional, old-media platforms are finding ways to keep going in the world of new media.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

Eric Garcetti Wins L.A. Mayor's Race

In a non-partisan race in which two Democrats were the top contenders, the city councilman has edged out City Controller Wendy Greuel.

Technology

NPR

'Arrested Development' Leads The Charge For Old Brands In New Media

Brands that found their original audiences in traditional, old-media platforms are finding ways to keep going in the world of new media.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.