My name is Jaime McKay, Deputy Director, Transit Services of Frederick County. Transit Services operates a Taxi Access Program, or TAP, which is available to current users of the TransIT-plus program as a way to supplement their transportation options. Older adults and people with disabilities must be registered with TransIT-plus and have been users of the service for at least three months to be eligible for the TAP. Eligible users can receive an allotment of taxi fare per month.
Zone A users (zip codes 21701, 21702, 21703) are eligible to receive $60 in taxi fare per month for $10. All other zip codes are Zone B and those residents are eligible to receive $120 in taxi fare per month for $20. Beginning in 2019, TAP customers have the option to pay monthly fare in two smaller payments up to twice a month.
A 10-mile trip (which is a reasonable distance for someone in TAP Zone B who receives $100 in County subsidy for $20 copay, or $120 total) will now cost customers $32.05, where previously it would have cost them $26.50. This means that someone with this fixed amount of taxi subsidy will only be able to take 3 trips per month, where previously they would have been able to take 4 trips in that month. This will compound as trip distances grow. The only way to mitigate this with the fare increases is to increase the County subsidy, reducing the funds available for new customers. This program continues to grow, as Transit-plus is beginning to reach operational capacity once again.
Hello all - Yes, it is true that Good Works Frederick, the community advocacy and development nonprofit I now lead, is preparing to establish a volunteer ride-sharing program to further supplement the transportation network here in Frederick County.
Modeled similarly to the very successful program named NeighborRide created in 2004 that now serves Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City, NeighborRide provided 17,500 rides with approx. 300 volunteer drivers in 2019. Unlike NeighborRide, our program will not be limited to serving seniors age 60 and older, whereas we will serve ALICE households with household incomes below the ALICE survival threshold. Rides will be provided for any one who is eligible and needs a ride to work, medical appointments, educational classes, community services, and social and faith-based activities. A nominal fee will be requested that will assist in defraying the operating costs of the program.
While I understand the rising costs to maintain and operate a cab, a chief concern I have in raising the taxi fares is that those served are typically low-income or living on fixed incomes. Raising fares will have a dramatic impact upon them to access essential services important to this group.
Perhaps fares could be supplemented based upon income eligibility? We intend to provide fare discounts within our upcoming program that will be pinged to their household income. For example, if their income is 50% of the ALICE threshold, their fares will be discounted by the same percentage. Proof of income will be required in order to establish the discounted fare.
Please give this some consideration. By doing so, taxi cab operators will be able to meet the higher costs of operation while those truly in need of taxis will not be impacted.
My name is Ken Oldham, CEO of United Way of Frederick County. We are advocates for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families in the Frederick community.
United Way has identified three major pain points for ALICE households — affordable housing, employment and transportation.
Many working families do not have access to private transportation. Further, many ALICE workers have shifts outside of normal business hours like night work, or work at locations not serviced by the public transportation system. They are reliant on “on demand” services like Lyft/Uber and taxicabs to make their daily commutes.
Ride costs for cab services can represent a substantial portion of a worker’s daily wages. A ride from North Frederick to South Frederick can cost in excess of $25 one way.
United Way has recently introduced the pilot Ride United program that provides free/discounted Lyft rides to ALICE workers in Frederick County. Thus far, Ride United has provided over 1,500 free/discounted rides.
United Way is concerned about the long term implications that a substantial taxicab fare increase will have on ALICE workers. Those who are most reliant on taxicabs are the least likely to be able to absorb the cost increase. Further, the pressure of inflation is already disproportionately affecting ALICE workers.
The proposed significant fare increase will push many ALICE workers out of their jobs since their commutes will no longer be affordable. The Ride United program, as currently funded, will be unable to keep up with the resulting increased demand for free/discounted rides.
My name is Jaime McKay, Deputy Director, Transit Services of Frederick County. Transit Services operates a Taxi Access Program, or TAP, which is available to current users of the TransIT-plus program as a way to supplement their transportation options. Older adults and people with disabilities must be registered with TransIT-plus and have been users of the service for at least three months to be eligible for the TAP. Eligible users can receive an allotment of taxi fare per month.
Zone A users (zip codes 21701, 21702, 21703) are eligible to receive $60 in taxi fare per month for $10. All other zip codes are Zone B and those residents are eligible to receive $120 in taxi fare per month for $20. Beginning in 2019, TAP customers have the option to pay monthly fare in two smaller payments up to twice a month.
A 10-mile trip (which is a reasonable distance for someone in TAP Zone B who receives $100 in County subsidy for $20 copay, or $120 total) will now cost customers $32.05, where previously it would have cost them $26.50. This means that someone with this fixed amount of taxi subsidy will only be able to take 3 trips per month, where previously they would have been able to take 4 trips in that month. This will compound as trip distances grow. The only way to mitigate this with the fare increases is to increase the County subsidy, reducing the funds available for new customers. This program continues to grow, as Transit-plus is beginning to reach operational capacity once again.
Thank you for your consideration.
Hello all - Yes, it is true that Good Works Frederick, the community advocacy and development nonprofit I now lead, is preparing to establish a volunteer ride-sharing program to further supplement the transportation network here in Frederick County.
Modeled similarly to the very successful program named NeighborRide created in 2004 that now serves Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City, NeighborRide provided 17,500 rides with approx. 300 volunteer drivers in 2019. Unlike NeighborRide, our program will not be limited to serving seniors age 60 and older, whereas we will serve ALICE households with household incomes below the ALICE survival threshold. Rides will be provided for any one who is eligible and needs a ride to work, medical appointments, educational classes, community services, and social and faith-based activities. A nominal fee will be requested that will assist in defraying the operating costs of the program.
While I understand the rising costs to maintain and operate a cab, a chief concern I have in raising the taxi fares is that those served are typically low-income or living on fixed incomes. Raising fares will have a dramatic impact upon them to access essential services important to this group.
Perhaps fares could be supplemented based upon income eligibility? We intend to provide fare discounts within our upcoming program that will be pinged to their household income. For example, if their income is 50% of the ALICE threshold, their fares will be discounted by the same percentage. Proof of income will be required in order to establish the discounted fare.
Please give this some consideration. By doing so, taxi cab operators will be able to meet the higher costs of operation while those truly in need of taxis will not be impacted.
Many thanks, my best to all, Ed Hinde
My name is Ken Oldham, CEO of United Way of Frederick County. We are advocates for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families in the Frederick community.
United Way has identified three major pain points for ALICE households — affordable housing, employment and transportation.
Many working families do not have access to private transportation. Further, many ALICE workers have shifts outside of normal business hours like night work, or work at locations not serviced by the public transportation system. They are reliant on “on demand” services like Lyft/Uber and taxicabs to make their daily commutes.
Ride costs for cab services can represent a substantial portion of a worker’s daily wages. A ride from North Frederick to South Frederick can cost in excess of $25 one way.
United Way has recently introduced the pilot Ride United program that provides free/discounted Lyft rides to ALICE workers in Frederick County. Thus far, Ride United has provided over 1,500 free/discounted rides.
United Way is concerned about the long term implications that a substantial taxicab fare increase will have on ALICE workers. Those who are most reliant on taxicabs are the least likely to be able to absorb the cost increase. Further, the pressure of inflation is already disproportionately affecting ALICE workers.
The proposed significant fare increase will push many ALICE workers out of their jobs since their commutes will no longer be affordable. The Ride United program, as currently funded, will be unable to keep up with the resulting increased demand for free/discounted rides.
Thank you for your consideration.