Manatee County's Handy Bus fare hike proposal too tough on needy

Like other transportation systems around the nation, Manatee County is blessed with a Handy Bus service dedicated to the medically and physically challenged residents who need to visit the doctor's office, grocery store and other places essential to their wellbeing.

Public bus service does not pay for itself with fares. Taxpayers subsidize this essential government expense.

Manatee County government staff proposes to increase Handy Bus rates by 50 percent, from $2 to $3 per ride. While that seems meager for such personalized paratransit service, low-income residents who frequent the system could be hard-hit and the county would only realize $78,700 in additional revenue. The county lost more than $2.1 million during the 2014-2015 fiscal year for all paratransit trips, so the additional revenue only represents a minuscule percentage of the cost.

The proposed fare increase would push Manatee County ahead of several nearby counties. Pinellas and Pasco counties charge $2 for one-way trips while Sarasota fares stand at $2.50 for clients who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act or are transportation disadvantaged. Hillsborough charges the most, at $3.50 one way.

Manatee's fare increase proposal was the subject of two public workshops this week, and the county's transit agency is taking comments throughout November. Then staff will review the results with commissioners in January and a decision is possible in March.

For people on low, fixed incomes whose budgets barely meet critical needs from medical to nutrition and who must access the Handy Bus for frequent health appointments, another dollar per ride will add up quickly. Valerie Matice is just one of many Handy Bus riders who would suffer from the higher charge since she replies on the paratransit service for her three weekly visits to dialysis treatments and other medical appointments as well as grocery store and banking trips.

The 66-year-old Anna Maria resident spends $70 monthly on this vital service -- $50 just on dialysis appointments, the Herald's Claire Aronson reported this week. Her bill would become $105 with the dollar fare hike, and she fears some necessities would have to be eliminated since she survives on a Social Security disability check. "What I'm gong to have to do is choose between food, prescriptions or the Handy Bus when they increase is 50 percent," she told Aronson.

That sad predicament should not occur. Other residents face similar fates.

For fiscal year 2015, the county projects 90,000 paratransit passengers utilizing 22 vehicles. The average number of paratransit trips per vehicle annually comes to 4,091. Ridership is forecast to balloon to 99,000 in FY 2017 with two additional vehicles to help with the load. This service is clearly popular and essential.

County staff cites greater demand for Handy Bus service in requesting the service increase to $3 for ADA-qualified rider, the transportation disadvantaged services and some veterans. The total new revenue generation, though, hardly warrants the harsh impact on some citizens.

Since disabled residents must meet eligibility requirements and an application process to qualify for Handy Bus service, including documentation from a medical professional, it makes sense to request income information to include in the file and then grant lower fares based on a sliding scale. Not all paratransit riders are income distressed, but those who are deserve a break on fares.

"I'm relatively existing even though I'm drowning in medical bills," Matice told the Herald.

If the county can afford free trolley service for visitors and residents on Anna Maria Island -- providing service to more than 500,000 people in fiscal year 2013-2014, which accounts for more than a quarter of total MCAT ridership -- surely a fare break for needy handicapped and transportation disadvantaged residents should be justifiable.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County's Handy Bus fare hike proposal too tough on needy ."