Alameda’s Free Shuttle Program Kills Meals on Wheels
By Erica Madison
At a city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, Councilmember Marie Gilmore revealed the PAPCO’s free shuttle service will kill Alameda’s meals on wheels program.
Alameda’s Paratransit Advisory Planning Committee (PAPCO), is phasing out a premium taxi service provided to senior citizens and the disabled. The prime reason for ending the program stems from the lack of use. The service is funded by Measure B Paratransit revenues. Since the service has a low usage level, the city is losing its Measure B Paratransit revenues.
“These are the most funds lost because we haven’t used them”, said Mayor Beverly Johnson.
To solve the problem, a free shuttle service will be instituted instead. Although the shuttle is free unlike the premium taxi service, it’s not welcomed by some Alameda senior citizens.
“This issue needs more exposure, instead of hiding behind a consent calendar,” said an Alameda citizen.
She was pointing out to the City Council that most seniors don’t know the program will be discontinued in the next fiscal year. This citizen also revealed the fact that most senior citizens are unaware of the premium taxi service.
“What most people don’t realize is that you don’t have to be in a wheel chair to use the program.”
To rectify this situation, the new shuttle program has allocated a budget for marketing the new service.
However, some senior citizens feel this money would be better spent promoting the premium taxi service instead.
“Most people aren’t aware of the fact that anyone over seventy can qualify.”
Another problem with the shuttle service is that it will end key programs for senior citizens. Creating this free program will end the flu shuttle service, and the meals on wheels program in the next fiscal year.
Alameda has provided the meals on wheels program for the last two years. With the implementation of this new shuttle service, meals on wheels will not be provided in the upcoming fiscal year, FY 11-12.
Despite the closing of these programs, City Council members unanimously voted for the implementation of the free shuttle program.
Tags: 94501, 94502, Alameda, city council, disabled, flu shot, free, funds, meals on wheels, Paratransit, revenues, senior citizens, shuttle, taxi
