Litchfield Park approves ride-share service for seniors, people with disabilities
Litchfield Park has signed with Valley Metro for a new ride-share service starting July 1.
Litchfield Park City Manager Matthew Williams said residents had asked for access to transportation for seniors and those with disabilities.
RideChoice, in partnership with Valley Metro, caters to people who are 65 and older and have disabilities.
With RideChoice, services are brokered from ride share companies, like Uber and Lyft, with accessible vehicles. In Maricopa County, Valley Metro has partnered with 17 different companies, for a total of 129 wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Valley Metro is required to provide paratransit services for senior citizens and those with disabilities in areas three-quarters of a mile from areas where fixed route and light rail services are provided, said Tom Young, manager of accessible transit services for Valley Metro. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides the criteria that determines who is eligible to use the services, Young told the Litchfield Park City Council.
Valley Metro provides paratransit services south, east and north of Litchfield Park, but the city is not within the three-quarters of a mile radius, which is why Litchfield Park does not have Valley Metro paratransit.
RideChoice is Valley Metro's alternative service for cities that are not within the radius. Young said RideChoice is more flexible since it isn't subject to federal regulations like the other services, with some cities including people who are low-income or veterans.
Litchfield Park only will allow the service to be used by people with disabilities and people 65 and over, Williams said.
With RideShare, people typically will have 20 allocated trips per month. For those who attend school, work or have frequent medical appointments, that number can increase to 50 appointments per month, Young said.
People pay $3 for every trip within eight miles and an additional $2 for every mile after that. They can travel with a caretaker at no extra cost. People cannot use the service once they've hit the limit, and unused trips don't roll over into the next month.
Litchfield Park residents also may be eligible for a different program that allows them to travel up to 400 miles per month. It was offered because of the needs of people who must travel 15-20 miles for frequent medical appointments such as dialysis, Young said.
Demand for the service exists in Litchfield Park. Young said several residents already have applied to use RideChoice.
To use the service when it launches, Litchfield Park residents must register with Valley Metro and be ADA paratransit certified. Rides can be scheduled by calling (602)-716-2111. For more information, visit valleymetro.org/accessibility/ridechoice.
Valley Metro estimates that the service will cost the city $23,000 for fiscal year 2024. Litchfield Park has been approved for $17,300 in Arizona Lottery funds, which will be applied to the program, Williams said.
The city contribution allows the riders to pay a smaller amount, Williams said.
The RideChoice contract will last for one year. Since it's a pilot year, Williams said the service will be re-evaluated next year.
Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlexandraHardle.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Southwest Valley city approves ride-share program with Valley Metro
