Bee Line Taxi Program Announced
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White Plains, NY - ParaTransit riders may now opt to use a taxi service to get around White Plains thanks to a pilot program designed to save taxpayer money while simultaneously making the system more convenient for its users.
ParaTransit is available to Westchester County residents who are unable to ride the Bee-Line bus system due to a disability. The county’s ParaTransit service currently serves 5,500 registered riders a year, providing 220,000 trips annually.
“Providing ParaTransit riders with quality service remains a priority, but at the same time we constantly are looking for ways to cut the costs for our taxpayers,” County Executive Robert P. Astorino said. “We know how much people rely on our ParaTransit system, and these two changes will help our riders by providing more options on service. This is an example of how smart actions by government can deliver better service at a lower cost.”
On average, ParaTransit van rides cost the county approximately $50 per trip. The county estimates that the taxi rides cost between $8 and $10 per trip and will be used annually for about 8,300 trips – saving $300,000 a year. ParaTransit riders are given a choice of which service they prefer in the city; either way the fare is $4.
If the program is successful, the county will look to expand beyond White Plains. Since April 2, more than 520 riders have utilized the taxi service, and Evan Latainer, director of the county’s Office for the Disabled, said the county is considering expanding the program into northern Westchester.
“The overall goal of the pilot taxi program is to offer our riders with additional options on how they utilize ParaTransit services while also creating cost savings to the constituents of Westchester County,” Latainer said. “As directed by the County Executive, cutting costs is essential to our daily operations. The opportunity to think outside of the box allows for us to be creative while improving our overall services to those we serve.”
ParaTransit riders from throughout Westchester County may use the Bee-Line Taxi service, but only for trips within the city. For more information or to schedule a pick-up, call 914-995-7272 or visit http://transportation.westchestergov.com/paratransit.
