JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville residents with disabilities who use JTA’s Connexion Plus service saw their fares spike Thursday, with some riders’ average fares nearly tripling.
Previously, trips of 15 miles or less would cost $6.
An extra $2 charge was applied for every additional mile.
Now, trips of 12 miles or less will cost $10, with an extra $2.50 for every additional mile.
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The rate hikes come as JTA works to manage the cost of the premium paratransit service and disability advocates are continuing to look for a solution that would cut costs for JTA and bring rates back down.
“So, it used to be $12 round trip and today it would be 34, $35 round trip,” said Sharon Dykes, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living Jacksonville.
Dykes explained even on day one, those new rates are having a major impact.
“The reports that we’ve received are that people have quit their jobs,” said Dykes. ”They can’t afford it.”
But Dykes is hopeful the rate hikes could be reversed.
She’s pitched a plan that would limit the single-rider Connexion Plus service to only trips of eight or more miles, which she estimates could reduce operating costs by as much as $4 million.
“I think it’s going to take a while, but I do think that the authority is working towards that,” said Dykes.
In the meantime, JTA has rolled out another single-rider option to help disabled riders keep costs low.
The agency is offering $20 vouchers through Uber for up to ten trips a week for qualified riders.
“Through conversations with our paratransit partners, offering an Uber option for shorter trips emerged as a valuable idea. Alongside reducing the standard Connexion fare to $2, we’re taking an all-options-on-the-table approach to deliver solutions that enhance the customer experience while reducing service costs and improving flexibility and affordability for our customers,” said a JTA spokesperson in a statement.
Dykes said it will be a big help for some, but for riders like her who rely on wheelchairs to get around, it may not be a workable option.
“And they’re working on the wheelchair side of the Uber because that platform isn’t exactly known for picking up wheelchairs,” said Dykes.
If you’re interested in opting in to JTA’s new Connexion Uber program, you can apply here.
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