DC ParaTransit Info was created by Pat and Kathi Spray to to document the state of MetroAccess, the Washington D.C. paratransit service, as well as provide an online resource for users of paratransit services as to available alternatives.
The site was closed down in the fall of 2005 when WMATA, which is required under federal law to provide paratransit services in the same DC area it serves with regular mass transit facilities, announced a new contractor would provision MetroAccess. Unfortunately, somewhat naive hopes that the site would no longer be necessary were dashed in January and february of 2006, when the new contractor took over and total chaos ensued.
In an effort to add additional attention to the extensive media coverage WMATA was being bombarded with, the site was reconstituted, but in a sense of fairness to MV, the new contractors, they were given the benefit of a clean start, with limited reference being made comparing them to Logisticare, the previous contractors.
At the end of 2006, DC Paratransit Info was again “mothballed” – Conditions had improved once more, and work was making more demands on our time.
The resource has become “active” again at the beginning of 2008, in a changed format.
DC ParaTransit Info continues now with the goal of maintaining a critical, if balanced eye on effective and practical transportation for the community in the area, as well as to continue to act as an information clearing house between riders and providers.
