DC ParaTransit Info

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the recent news articles about the MetroAccess paratransit service and MV Transportation, Inc., specifically focusing on the story “Study Raps Metro on Service for the Disabled” that appeared in the February 15 edition of the Washington Post.

While the story mainly focuses on the way in which WMATA operates MetroAccess and the findings of a study by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, several points related to MV Transportation need to be clarified.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The Washington Post continues to bring up MetroAccess, with a new story here entitled “Study Hits Metro on Service for Disabled“. We have to agree with most of the recommendations and observations of the study, in particular the lack of communication by MetroAccess.

We note with ironic amusement the end of the article:

In response to the huge number of complaints, Metro set up a weekly telephone conference to enable riders to speak directly with MetroAccess officials.

But Metro has not publicized the telephone number because managers are worried that the phone system would be overwhelmed, Metro spokeswoman Candace Smith said.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

One of WMATA’s common responses to criticism recently has been to claim that they are providing “shared rides”.  DC ParaTransit Info performed a small experiment today to test that concept out.

Pat and Kathi are both MetroAccess users, and both use powered wheelchairs.  Two separate trips were booked for today, leaving Pat’s work in Rockville Maryland at the same time, going to the same destination near College Park Maryland (home).  A PCA was booked as travelling with Kathi.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: General , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA has posted a “Straight Scoop” article rebutting the news article published in the Washington Post on February 13th 2006.  Unfortunately, it seems to be little more than WMATA taking advantage of another opportunity to make subtle digs at the community.

Once more, WMATA seems to be attempting to portray the issues surrounding MetroAccess as being blown out of proportion, being mis-represented by the riders, and that the ridership is angry because we’re being somehow denied perks of some description, with comments such as these:

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

As followup to a recent user comment posted to this site, DC ParaTransit Info contacted the office of DC Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) asking for more information regarding recent media reports of her looking into the MetroAccess issues in her capacity as Chair of the District’s Committee on Public Works and the Environment.  We received the following response to our inquiry today:

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The Post has sallied forth on MetroAccess again today, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/12/AR2006021201185.html. The article makes an interesting point, that there’s been over 2,400 complaints registered about MetroAccess so far since MV took over the contract.

Given the doubts we’ve raised about WMATA’s method of tabulating the number of complaints received recently, we wonder how reliable this figure is.

On the subject of which though, we have a question for the Washington Post itself. The article states:

But some riders said in interviews that they have been unable to log complaints and don’t trust MV’s statistics.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA has announced that due to the snow, MetroAccess service has been suspended.  Candace Smith, a Public Affairs Officer for WMATA, said on Channel 9 WUSA TV this morning that this affects around 1,800 riders today.

This was confirmed on WMATA’s web site:

MetroAccess service has been suspended for Sunday due to hazardous road conditions, cold temperatures, and snow accumulation in excess of 8 inches. Our call center remains open for reservations and general questions. MetroAccess customers should call (301) 562-5360 for more information.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The editorial in the Post today at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/09/AR2006020901920.html is, as far as we know, the first media shot across the bows of MetroAccess.

The question still remains - why is any of this even necessary?

We have two professional transportation companies, who have many years of experience in moving people relatively seamlessly from point A to point B, who seem to be completely helpless to do so when it comes to a thousand people a day.

The editorial notes quite accurately that

Running this kind of program properly is neither easy nor inexpensive, but fixing phones, providing directions for drivers and improving pickup policies is elementary management.

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Whilst reading WMATA’s old press releases earlier, we came across something interesting in one dated December 28th 2005, under the subject of “What’s in store for Metro in 2006?“.  The section that caught our eye is towards the bottom, in “2006 MetroAccess Highlights”:

A free trip voucher will be provided to any Metroaccess passenger who has experienced a missed or excessively late trip.

We’ve asked MetroAccess for clarification of this, specifically:

• What constitutes an “Excessively late trip”?
• Who decides if a trip is “Excessively late”?
• Who issues such a voucher?

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: General , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Has anyone else received a mailing from WMATA recently? They come with pre-printed address stickers on them. I’m wondering if this was not the promised revised rider’s guide mentioned on WMATA’s web site here

Plans are in place for MetroAccess riders to receive a copy of the MetroAccess Rider’s Guide in the mail to ensure that they know the guidelines for the service as required under the ADA and clarifies what customers can expect.

If it is the eagerly awaited Rider’s Guide, then I hope that the copy that we received is not a sign of what we can expect - the envelope was completely empty …

Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago | No Comments
Categories: General , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post