Costs for senior-focused program could jump by the start of next
year
Seniors and low-income residents who use the county’s
specialized transportation services to get rides to out-of-town
medical appointments will have to pay more if proposed rate hikes
are approved this fall.
It could also mean that those who cannot pay would be denied
rides to the doctor or other appointments.
Costs for senior-focused program could jump by the start of next year
Seniors and low-income residents who use the county’s specialized transportation services to get rides to out-of-town medical appointments will have to pay more if proposed rate hikes are approved this fall.
It could also mean that those who cannot pay would be denied rides to the doctor or other appointments.
A plan under consideration by the San Benito County Local Transportation Authority (LTA) would change the donation-based out-of-county non-emergency medical transportation program to a fee-based system and would also raise the medical-shopping assistance program fare for the first time in eight years.
“The community needs the service,” said Betty LiOwen, a local transportation planner. “With this economy, we’ve been losing funds for transportation and we want to make sure we can maintain the services that we have. Establishing a fare and increasing fares are ways to do that.”
At a recent meeting of the county’s Social Services Advisory Council, “the general feeling was that something had to be done economically,” LiOwen said. “They understood it’s going to affect riders, but it’s something that has to be done. We’re seeing a trend of declining revenues, so if going to go any lower we’re not going to be able to provide the services.”
More than 450 passengers used the out-of-county transportation service in May, the most recent month for which data is available. Operating Monday through Saturday, the service asks clients for a $10 donation for round-trips to Gilroy or Salinas and $20 for trips to San Jose or Palo Alto. Under the current fee structure, clients who do not pay the full amount are not denied a ride.
In May, that service collected $258 in donations from 454 passengers, or 57 cents per trip.
LiOwen said the specialized transportation program, which is funded by the state and federal sources, costs up to $10,000 per month for the out-of-county service.
The medical-shopping assistance program, which primarily serves seniors over the age of 60 and persons with disabilities, collected $124 from its 124 passengers. That service, which costs up to $3,400 per month to administer, charges $1 each way for in-town medical appointments or trips to the bank, grocery store or pharmacy.
The LTA is recommending changing the donation-based fees to zone-based fees ranging from $2 for one-way for trips to Gilroy to $5 each way for trips to Palo Alto.
Fees for the medical-shopping assistance program would rise by 25 cents to $1.25 each way.
Pauline Valdivia, executive director of Jovenes de Antano, which offers senior programs in San Benito County and is contracted to administer the specialized transportation program, said the need for affordable transportation programs “is definitely there.”
“I think the service is really important because there’s a lot of specialty care that we don’t provide in the county,” said Valdivia, who also serves on the Hollister City Council. “A lot of elderly people can’t drive anymore and they don’t have family here or the family is working during the day. We provide transportation to folks who need care and can’t get to it.”
Valdivia said the expected move from suggested contributions to mandated fares is understandable in light of the economic climate.
“I had a hard time dealing with that because we know the caliber of folks we’re dealing with,” she said. “I don’t like increasing the cost, especially for people on a fixed income, but once people get used to the idea I don’t think they’ll have a problem. The impact should not be that bad.”
Jovenes de Antano began the specialty transportation program years ago and has applied to have its contract extended beyond this year.
The Local Transportation Authority was scheduled to meet Thursday and set a public hearing date to receive input on the fares and policies. It was expected that the meeting would be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers at 481 Fourth St.
