Citation

Lovely ME. Transp. Res. Rec. 1983; 934: 9-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, instituted a user-side subsidy program in June 1978 for handicapped users of taxi and chair-car companies. Because of the unique features of the program, a case study was undertaken by the UMTA Service and Management Demonstration program. The Milwaukee County program is funded entirely by county and state contributions. Unlike other user-side subsidy programs that serve the elderly and the handicapped, the Milwaukee County program serves only handicapped persons. Eligibility for the program is limited to the legally blind and to persons who require the use of a wheelchair, a walker, or crutches. Door-to-door transportation is provided for eligible persons who use the services of private taxi and chair-car companies. By 1982 five taxi companies and three chair-car companies accepted program vouchers. Participants pay the first $1.50 cost of a trip. The remaining cost is subsidized by the program-up to a maximum of $9.50 per trip, depending on the individual's handicap classification. Simple administrative procedures for subsidy distribution have been devised for the program and approximately 12 percent of the 1980 budget of $1 million has been spent on administrative activities. The paratransit industry in the county has expanded since the institution of the program, and providers appear to be competing actively for program ridership. Enrollment in the program by the eligible population is high, with wheelchair users making the majority of program trips. The program offers a high level of service to the most severely handicapped residents of the county, and the Milwaukee County experience should help other area administrators anticipate and meet the demand of handicapped persons for low-cost accessible service.

Language: en

Keywords

MOTOR TRANSPORTATION; URBAN PLANNING - Transportation; HUMAN ENGINEERING