skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Phoenix Public Transit adds ADA taxi coupon to current subsidy programs
The Phoenix Public Transit Department has launched a new taxi coupon program for Phoenix residents with disabilities. Called ADA Cab, the program supplements Phoenix’s heavily-used Dial-a-Ride program for people who are certified in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). By working with local taxicab companies, the program allows participants to book trips at a subsidized rate, allowing for lower costs and more flexibility.
"The ADA Cab program bolsters our transit offerings for people with disabilities, and allows passengers to book their own travel when it is convenient for them," said Phoenix Public Transit Department Director Debbie Cotton.
To purchase coupons at a discount, participants must be Phoenix residents under the age of 65, and they must be ADA-certified. Certified participants can buy coupons to use to pay for cab trips. Each coupon is worth a dollar, and the $20-coupon books sell at 30 percent of their value, or $6 apiece. Participants can buy a maximum of $40 at that discount, and they can purchase an additional $40 at half price; in total, users can buy up to $80 worth of taxi vouchers monthly for $32. The coupons can be used for an entire trip, and can be combined with cash fares to travel further.
ADA Cab is one of several alternatives to fixed-route bus service that Phoenix Public Transit offers for people with disabilities. These options include Dial-a-Ride, which provides scheduled trips; the Senior Cab coupon program for Phoenix residents age 65 and over, as well as dialysis and work trip voucher programs.
The ADA Cab program is funded by the City of Phoenix and New Freedom grants from the Federal Transit Administration. The Phoenix City Council requested development of the alternative taxi program after same-day Dial-a-Ride services were eliminated from the department’s budget.
To get more information about the taxi subsidy program, call MV Transportation at 602-801-1163 or 602-801-1164.
For general information about public transportation, people with questions can call Valley Metro at 602-253-5000, TTY 602-251-2039, or visit http://www.valleymetro.org.
Source: City of Phoenix Public Transit Department
With the additional capacity of three-car trains, METRO light rail served more than 51,000 riders on game day, July 12, and nearly 200,000 across the five days (July 8 – 12) of Major League Baseball’s All-Star 2011. Typical daily ridership in July is 29,000.
“We put our best foot forward to provide good, quality service to those visiting the Phoenix area for the first time and to take care of our everyday riders,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “We appreciate the support of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball for seeing value in our service and allowing us to take part in the All-Star Red Carpet event on Tuesday.”
MLB All-Star-wrapped trains traveled through the Red Carpet parade on July 12 that welcomed All-Star players and their families into Chase Field, the site of the All-Star game later that evening. The red carpet ran adjacent to the light rail tracks on Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix. For photos of this event, visit METRO’s Facebook page.
"METRO light rail has positively impacted our fan experience since its arrival," said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. "We greatly appreciate the cooperation, spirit and generosity from its leadership around the All-Star events. They had all baseball fans and their best interests in mind and provided clean, comfortable, efficient and first-class value."
METRO also provided service to many new, local riders who took advantage of the MLB All-Star opportunity to try transit.
“The kids and I rode the [light] rail yesterday from Mesa to Phoenix for MLB FanFest! It was easy and fun (and AIR CONDITIONED!!!),” said mother and first-time rider Wendy Dunn.
For more information on METRO light rail, visit http://www.metrolightrail.org.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 12.6 million riders in 2010, exceeding the prior year by 11 percent. METRO serves an average of 40,000 riders each weekday while also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
Source: Metro Light Rail
METRO light rail will increase capacity July 8 – 12 to serve the demand from MLB All-Star 2011. Third St./Washington and Jefferson are your stations for all the action.
METRO will follow the regular service schedule with trains running until after 11 p.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends. The nine system park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Riders are encouraged to buy an all-day ($3.50 for adults; $1.75 for youth, seniors or persons with disabilities) or multi-day pass for unlimited rides in the purchased time period. Validate the pass with your first ride and keep the pass on you in the event of fare inspection.
Riders are also advised to expect crowds on board, at park-and-rides and at fare vending machines. Please be patient and plan ahead.
To plan a trip, visit http://www.valleymetro.org, use Google Transit or call Customer Service at 602-253-5000.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 12.6 million riders in 2010, exceeding the prior year by 11 percent. METRO serves an average of 40,000 riders each weekday while also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
Source: Metro Light Rail
