Community Bridges readies for Lift Line service expansion
Community Bridges readies for Lift Line service expansion Santa Cruz Sentinel
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SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY BRIDGES’ LIFT LINE PROGRAM TO LAUNCH ACCESS FOR ALL SERVICE
The Lift Line program, operated by Community Bridges, is set to receive a significant boost through the launch of the Access for All service. This new service will provide door-to-door transportation for all residents with disabilities in Santa Cruz County, allowing them to travel to any destination within the county. The service will be available at a flat-rate fee of $5. Income-eligible older adults and people with disabilities who are currently using the Lift Line program will continue to receive the service free of charge.
The funding for this service expansion comes from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Transportation Network Company’s Access for All program. A total of almost $115,000 has been allocated over a two-year period. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will oversee the administration and management of the program, while Community Bridges will provide the transportation services through an expansion of its existing Lift Line services.
The mission of Lift Line is to create a more accessible world by ensuring that all county residents have full and unfettered access to the community. Community Bridges CEO Ray Cancino expressed their commitment to expanding services and access through innovative projects, aligning with their efforts under Measure D to make Santa Cruz County the most accessible community in the state.
Launch of the Program
The Access for All service is scheduled to launch on September 18. Users can conveniently schedule rides through Lift Line’s self-service mobile app, similar to popular ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft. Rides can be scheduled up to seven days in advance, with same-day pickups available upon request.
Registration and Scheduling
To register for the program and receive a login for the mobile app, local residents can contact the Community Bridges Lift Line office at 831-688-9663. The same number can be used to schedule rides once the program launches.
The flat-rate fee of $5 for countywide trips is one of the lowest rates for ADA-accessible transportation in Santa Cruz County. In comparison, an 18-mile taxi ride from Watsonville to Santa Cruz costs an estimated $92.60 and may not offer the same level of accessibility as the Lift Line infrastructure.
According to Community Bridges spokesperson Tony Nunez, the Lift Line program serves as an Uber and Lyft for individuals with disabilities in Santa Cruz County who require ADA-accessible vehicles.
California Senate Bill 1376 and Funding
The Access for All Program funding is a result of California Senate Bill 1376, signed into law in 2018 by former Governor Jerry Brown. This bill regulates transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, aiming to establish ride-share programs with features specifically designed for people with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Starting in 2019, transportation network companies were required to collect a 10-cent fee on every trip in California to support the expansion of transportation options for residents with disabilities.
The local funding infusion will build upon the existing provision of 60,000 annual free door-to-door rides by Lift Line in Santa Cruz County. The program currently offers transportation to older adults, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities who require assistance in reaching medical appointments and accessing essential services such as banks, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
How to Register
What: Community Bridges Lift Line Access for All Program
How: Call the Community Bridges Lift Line office at 831-688-9663 to register for the program and receive a login for the scheduling app
When: The program launches on September 18
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | – The Lift Line Access for All program provides door-to-door transportation for residents with disabilities to medical appointments and essential services, ensuring access to healthcare services. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | – The Lift Line Access for All program aims to provide accessible transportation for all county residents with disabilities, promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport | – The Lift Line Access for All program expands the existing Lift Line services to provide accessible transportation within Santa Cruz County, contributing to the goal of providing sustainable transport systems for all. |
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Source: santacruzsentinel.com
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