On February 5, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 58 – Transportation – Paratransit Services – Interjurisdictional Routes.
This bill modifies State funding for local elderly and handicapped transportation services by requiring counties. It would impose uniform, one-size-fits-all service requirements on county paratransit providers, including mandated service to specified healthcare networks that may be located well beyond distances that county transportation systems are designed—and funded—to cover.
Paratransit is intended to function as a “safety net” transportation option for individuals whose disabilities prevent them from using the regular fixed-route system (bus or rail). As drafted, this bill dramatically extends the intended scope of these services.
Counties appreciate the intent behind HB 58. However, absent
additional State funding, the bill would likely significantly increase county paratransit costs. Although many jurisdictions—particularly within Maryland’s urban core—have providers associated with the six networks identified in the legislation, those networks do not serve all regions of the State. As a result, counties could be compelled to establish or expand service to destinations far from the originating county, creating long-distance trip obligations that extend beyond the traditional scope of paratransit as a complementary service aligned with fixed-route transit.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
