Disabled riders in Twin Cities weigh transit options as potential rideshare exit approaches

Transportation Challenges for People with Disabilities in the Twin Cities

Almost every day, Mark Hughes rolls his wheelchair into a Metro Mobility van. It’s how he gets between home, work, errands, and family dinners across the Twin Cities metro area. He’s one of 18,000 Twin Cities residents who are signed up for the service. They schedule rides when needed and get door-through-door service in accessible vans.

Hughes says Metro Mobility generally gets him where he needs to go — but he’s also come to expect delays, long detours, and trouble scheduling rides when he wants them.

That’s fine if he’s just running errands.

Concerns about the Future of Transit for People with Disabilities

However, Hughes is worried about what could happen if more people start riding Metro Mobility — which could happen if Uber and Lyft leave the Twin Cities, as they say they will on July 1 in response to a Minneapolis city ordinance. Some disabled riders and advocates cite similar concerns about the future of transit for people with disabilities.

Michael Sack, another Metro Mobility user who sits on the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, shares these concerns. He believes that if Uber and Lyft leave Minneapolis, there would be a significant gap in accessible transportation, leading to an increase in individuals relying on the already-busy Metro Mobility.

User Satisfaction and Challenges

A recent legislative study surveyed nearly 200 Metro Mobility users, and just over two-thirds of them said that the system meets their needs. However, users noted a scheduling process that requires them to be flexible about their pickup times. About 90 percent of rides last year were on time, according to a state legislative audit of Metro Mobility published last month.

Metro Mobility is designed to mirror the fixed-route bus and light rail system, making it affordable but sometimes tricky to predict. It serves roughly the same area, runs on limited hours, and can detour to make other pickups and drop-offs.

Some people prefer other options. Dan Meyers, who works at a nonprofit called Rise, which connects people with disabilities to social services, including transit, uses both Metro Transit and Lyft. He believes that Lyft rides are faster and more convenient since they take riders directly to their destination without requiring scheduling in advance. However, rideshare services have limitations, as the vehicles are not wheelchair-accessible, and drivers don’t provide assistance to riders.

Preparing for Increased Demand

Metro Mobility is preparing for a possible increase in demand due to the potential departure of Uber and Lyft. However, it is challenging to plan for this since they are unsure how many people using Uber and Lyft would qualify to use Metro Mobility. Hennepin County reported that residents with disability waivers took more than 50,000 rideshare trips in February. At its peak ridership before the pandemic, Metro Mobility provided about 2.6 million rides in a year.

Metro Transit and other transportation agencies are exploring new ways of providing service, including options similar to rideshare companies. Metro Mobility recently introduced a program that subsidizes taxi rides for certified users, offering faster and direct trips. Additionally, the Met Council is rolling out Metro Move, another option for people with disabilities that will improve access across the region.

Met Council officials state that contracted partners have made progress in hiring more personnel and are introducing new buses and tech systems to make trips quicker.

Expanding Services for People with Disabilities

Mark Hughes wants to see services expanded, especially faster options like subsidized cab rides. He believes that more needs to be done to ensure accessible transportation for people with disabilities.

The Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Legislature are continuing discussions about rideshare driver pay policies, with the potential to change the rules and potentially avert the planned departure of Uber and Lyft before the Minneapolis city ordinance goes into effect in July.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 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.
• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
• SDG 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.
• SDG 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.8: Percentage of the population with access to essential healthcare services.
• Indicator for SDG 9.1: Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of the population with disabilities who have access to transportation services.
• Indicator for SDG 11.2: Proportion of the population that uses accessible and sustainable transport modes.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: mprnews.org

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.