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Some Elderly, Disabled Challenged by System: OCTA Bus-Service Cuts Make It Harder for a Small Percentage Who Don't Live Near Routes to Find a Ride
By Courtney Perkes, The Orange County Register
July 9, 2005
Maurice Platte plans to start canceling July doctor's appointments for his 84-year-old wife, who uses a wheelchair.
He doesn't know how he'll take her to the dentist or oncologist because of a July 1 change in Orange County Transportation Authority policy that now calls for picking up elderly and disabled riders only if they live within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route.
The change complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will prevent cuts to regular bus service, OCTA officials say.
Platte estimates he lives about two miles from a bus line in the Turtle Rock development. He used to push his wife, Ethel, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and breast cancer, down the wheelchair ramp outside their Irvine home to a waiting 17-seat ACCESS bus. The bus then ferried them to doctor's appointments for $2.25 each way.
Platte, 84, said his wife has been offered OCTA-subsidized taxi service to arrive within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route. But he said he doesn't want her waiting outside in heat or rain to catch the ACCESS bus.
"It was a magnificent operation," said Platte, a retired engineer. "Right now, I've said we won't go to any appointments."
OCTA officials say the highly subsidized ACCESS program for the disabled grew too costly as the county's population aged. The new policy affects 305 riders out of 25,569, or 1.2 percent.
The average trip costs the OCTA $26.55. ACCESS spending has increased to more than $36 million projected for this fiscal year from about $14 million in 2000. Without cuts, agency officials say they would have to cut regular bus routes and frequency.
"Because the demand for ACCESS service has skyrocketed over the years, we've had to pare back our service to meet ADA standards," OCTA spokesman Michael Litschi said. "We can't any longer afford to exceed ADA standards. We understand that's always difficult when you provide an extra service and then have to take it away."
Platte has contacted other agencies that provide rides for the elderly but was told he can't sign up his wife because she qualifies for ACCESS. He also said that while some use ACCESS for trips to the mall or social gatherings, the couple turned to the service only for medical appointments.
"We pay taxes and buy food, and they take money out for all of this stuff and we're not getting a full return," he said.
The OCTA's pilot taxi program for ACCESS subsidizes rides up to $7.75. Litschi said that service is not required by ADA, which he said mandates that transportation be comparable, not superior, to regular bus lines.
It's unknown how much the OCTA will save with the changes, he said.
Those who work with senior citizens say mobility keeps them independent and upbeat, but arranging transportation can be a challenge.
The city of Santa Ana shuttles seniors to the Southwest Senior Center for computer classes and exercise but doesn't have the resources to take them to medical appointments.
"Thank God, it's just a small percentage affected," said Rocio Meza, recreation leader at the center. "A lot of our seniors live alone; they suffer from depression. We can see the difference when they're here."
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