ONEONTA _ Changes in Oneonta Public Transit bus routes have sparked complaints among some handicapped riders worried about their ability to get throughout the city.
Oneonta Mayor John Nader, who said he expects the subject to be raised at the Common Council meeting at City Hall tonight, said services for paratransit riders will be maintained, and any changes that were made will revert to previous arrangements.
Under the paratransit program, OPT buses stop by a handicapped person's home to provide transportation. The Americans With Disabilities law sets guidelines for eligibility, including a physician's review, said Joe Richards, Oneonta's director of transportation.
Richards said some changes were made in the system a few weeks ago so that handicapped riders use buses on established routes instead of being picked up at their residences, but the changes weren't ``set in stone.'' The changes were part of an ongoing effort to make OPT more efficient in fuel savings and generating income and ridership, he said, and adjustments are being made to find what works best.
Richards said there are about 50 handicapped riders who use the system weekly, plus others who ride on a less regular schedule.
``No paratransit passenger is going to lose any service they currently have,'' Richards said Monday.
In the future, handicapped riders new to the system also will have to meet ADA-set criteria, Richards said, and it is probable that they will be accommodated through fixed-route services.
Richards said a standard example of a paratransit rider is a person who lives three blocks from the fixed route, is 83 years old and has arthritis.
The city has four paratransit buses that seat 16 passengers, Richards said, and 13 buses for 27 to 30 passengers. All buses are equipped to serve handicapped riders, he said.
Nader said he has been in contact with some paratransit riders and some drivers about the changes and will continue to meet or speak with parties as needed.
``We are actively engaged in trying to address these concerns,'' Nader said.
Donna Quackenbush, of East Street, said she has been a paratransit rider for five years and counts on the service for transportation to her job downtown. She is concerned about catching a bus on a fixed route when the weather turns cold, she said Monday, and she is waiting to hear back from the mayor about the status of her request to resume paratransit assistance to and from work.
Nader said he would contact her regarding the resumption of existing paratransit services.
The mayor said last year's projected OPT deficit was $178,000. During the first half of this year, revenues were $45,000 above the same period last year, he said, and ridership also is up.
Richards, who joined the city in March, said revenues went up in part because fares increased in January.
Richards said a recent change was made in OPT route for students attending the State University College at Oneonta. Instead of two buses traveling simultaneously each half hour to pick up students, buses are staggered for pick-ups in 15 minute intervals, he said.
Nader said the changes in SUNY Oneonta service seem well-received.
Classes at SUNY Oneonta started Wednesday.
