Capital District 

Coalition for Accessible Transportation

(518) 273-1110

(A Grassroots Disability Coalition located  in Albany, New York's  Capital Region)

Members of: 

The Council for Community Service of NYS, (CCSNYS)

The National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates, (NAPTA)

Americans for Transportation Mobility, (ATM)

An independent, grass roots, watchdog transportation advocacy organization

 by disabled people and seniors for disabled people and seniors

WE ARE NOT OWNED, MANAGED, OPERATED OR AFFILIATED WITH CDTA OR STAR PARATRANSIT.

Updated:  December 6, 2008                 

The Schenectady CDTA Proposed Fare Hearing will be on December 8th from 4:30 to 8:00pm at Schenectady County Public Library, McChesney Room, 99 Clinton Street, Schenectady.  Please attend!

 Top news: 

 

Public Transportation customers say NO to fare hike!  

 

By DONNA SUHOR       On Thursday, Dec. 4th CDTA held public hearings in Albany for their proposed fare increase.  CDTA management, from Executive Director Ray Melleady ,  Chief of Staff Carm Basile, CDTA's Board of Director's Chairman David Stackrow and Board member Art Young were among those seated at the front of the room to hear the public's opinion on the fare hike and service cuts.  There were at least 50-70 people there from when we arrived at 5:30pm.  We were there till 8:00pm and the room was packed the entire time with new people coming in equaling the number of people who left.  People gave statements one after the other with no delays but a short 10 minute or so break for the court stenographer to change his paper tape (and probably rest his fingers).   Albany citizens applauded those speaking at the podium against the fare increase.  While there were some that claimed they didn't mind the fare hike, we estimate that people 4 to 1 were against the fare increases and cuts.  Several community groups spoke out against the hike, including CDCAT.  Many disabled customers and seniors turned out to speak about how the cuts would hurt the public, particularly seniors, disabled Veterans, and people with disabilities overall in the Capital region. CDTA STAR bus customers (A bus for people with disabilities that can't use the regular buses) stated that the increase for them would be double what it would be for citizens using regular public transportation, an increase from $2 for a one way fare to $3 making the service unaffordable for many people with disabilities.  

            Some people stated that CDTA management and board of directors was too insulated from the public, not using public transportation regularly themselves.  They also spoke of unanswered complaint letters and complaint phone calls where nothing was done and no call to resolve the complaint was returned to the customer.  People not only talked about the fare hike but about poor service such as buses that don't show up in the early morning, to late buses and bus drivers who tell passengers with wheelchairs that "the ramp doesn't work" or pass them up completely.   Someone mentioned that the Swipers are increasing far too much.  STAR customers don't even have the benefit of being able to use a Swiper however.  CDTA appeared to listen, and Mr. Melleady even commented at one point that CDTA didn't want to raise the fares.  Customers said that when CDTA first stated there would be a fare hike, their reason was the high fuel prices but gas prices have come down now to the $1.80 -$1.90 a gallon yet the fare hike was still being considered.  Questions ranged from - Where will the money go? What changes in routes are planned? Several people asked CDTA to wait for President Elect Obama to get in Offices - that we may see some changes then.  A few mentioned Rochester's decrease in bus fares this year and that NYC isn't what we should base Albany's prices on.  Customers commented also that the fare increase may actually decrease CDTA ridership, now that gas prices were down, particularly new riders from CDTA's summer campaign to have more commuters ride the bus either as a cheaper alternative or to help the environment.   The Honorable Cathy Fahey (Ward 7 - pictured to the left)  from the Albany Common Council vehemently disagreed with the fare hike stating it would hurt the poor in Albany and calling this a "Social Justice Issue".  All in all, people spoke out against the fare hike and cuts.

Before leaving, our last comment when CDTA was taking questions was that CDTA should also re-evaluate their decision this year to refuse to have public comment period (even 2 minutes) at their monthly board meetings.  As they can see, they are out of the loop and disconnected from the public and their opinions. We hope to see this change in the future.

 

 

           For those that didn't attend the Albany Hearing, there is one last hearing scheduled in Schenectady.  As we've stated before, one can go to ANY of the hearings, not only to the one in their area.  Should you be unable to make it to the last hearing, written comments are still being taken by mail and by fax till December 12th.

Schenectady County Hearing: 

Monday, December 8, 2008
4:30-8:00PM
Schenectady County Public Library, McChesney Room
99 Clinton Street, Schenectady 

Proposed Fare Increase - CDTA Public Hearing Schedule

Our Coalition's statement opposing CDTA's fare hike - PDF

  v The Coalition does not have vehicles or directly provide transportation.   We've been getting some calls to provide transportation.  CDCAT does not have vehicles to provide transportation.  We do assist people with disabilities and seniors in locating transportation, including wheelchair accessible transportation. Please see our ABOUT US link to see other things we do.  Case Workers and other professionals working with seniors and disabled consumers on transportation issues, see our new Professionals page!  If looking for phone numbers for transportation providers, please click on our "phone book" link.

 v      We are not owned, managed, operated or otherwise run or affiliated with CDTA or STAR Paratransit.  We are an independent, grass roots, disability transportation advocacy organization by disabled people for disabled people.  We are here to help people who have problems with CDTA, STAR and other transportation such as taxis, Medicaid transportation, trains etc.  All of us either work with or have disabilities (some both).  We work on all types of transportation problems, give people information on their rights, do transportation research, and work on NYS systemic transportation issues.  We do not give out ANY information to ANYONE that you give to us without your express permission. We protect our information sources and our customers privacy.  We never give out or sell our mailing list or email list (We believe that most people have enough spam and junk mail already). We offer support and protection to our clients.  All of our services are free.

v       CDTA has a completely new STAR certification policy, including new forms. They also have added a in-person    assessments to make applying and getting STAR even more difficult and to discourage people from even going through the process.  We are meeting with them on this and will continue to work on this unacceptable burden on people applying for STAR. One word of advice - You should always bring someone with you to any physical assessment.  These assessments are to rule out people that "don't need STAR" and to give more limitations to those that are approved for STAR service.  Please go to our STAR application 101 page for more information on the entire application process. (this should be on the website before or by 11/20/08.

 

We will explain the entire application as well as the process, including the in person evaluation to you in detail.  The coalition heavily suggests bringing a disability or transportation advocate with you for this evaluation

Please note:  If you are EVER told you must have a psychiatric evaluation and you did not apply for STAR listing psychiatric reasons for needing STAR Paratransit, please call us and feel free to refuse that part of the evaluation.  You can not be forced into this type of evaluation or to answer any questions not relevant to your application.  Please call or email us for assistance.

 

If you need someone to go to a physical assessment with you , please call us at (518)  273-1110.  We will send a transportation advocate with you for free.

We help with STAR appeals for free. Call us if you are turned down for STAR or given only limited service!

STAR can't bill for missed  application evaluation appointments:  We have had one success with the new certification process:  The part of the application that stated customers would be billed should they miss a in person assessment appointment was ILLEGAL and we told them this must be removed.  They removed this on the newer forms.  If you ever see this, it's probable that you have an old form. Disregard this information.  We aren't by any means saying customers should miss appointments for no reason, it's polite and practical to call STAR and let them know if you can't make an appointment.  If you should though forget or not have a phone nearby to call, you can NOT be billed for this.

    v     The CDTA Disabled Advisory Committee (DAC) has had a change - for the better.  See our information on this on the Disabled Advisory Committee (DAC) page.

     v     We are still working on our website.  You'll notice some new buttons to the left shortly - including a traveler's information area for disabled travelers, a new comprehensive STAR link, and a much better organized home page here.  We are continuing to update some of the newer pages so please check back frequently.  Our calendar of events has also been updated.

Business Travel?  Conference?  Vacation? 

    Planning a trip to Albany NY or the Capital Region?  Call us at (518) 273-1110 or email if you have disability related transportation questions.  It's best to plan your transportation for your trip or conference as far in advance as a month.  If you use paratransit service, it is available here.  You do not have to go through the STAR application process or evaluation, you can get visitor status simply by calling in advance and having either paratransit certification elsewhere (fax CDTA proof) or a statement from a doctor that you have a disability and can't use regular buses - that you need STAR Paratransit.  You should NOT be asked any questions on why you can't use the regular buses or even asked for more information on your disability so long as you provide this information and you are from outside of the Capital Region where CDTA operates.  You then have up to 21 days to use STAR without having to apply or answer any questions.  Should you feel you are being asked too many questions, told you can't use STAR or discouraged from using STAR while a visitor here by CDTA/STAR please contact us at 518-273-1110. All of this information is Federal Law from the American's with Disabilities transportation regulations.

Make sure you have your paratransit ID or certification letter, and you should fax this to STAR, CDTA's paratransit office, at least 2 weeks in advance of your arrival.  There is more information on our  Traveler's Help page!  

We've also just begun a project named Accessible Albany - This is an ongoing project to help travelers to our Capital Region - not only to Albany!  We're working on a new link just for this so you can see our progress and so tourists and business travelers and seniors can access the draft information document this summer.

Have good or bad information about your trip to Albany or the Capital Region?  Please email it to us.  We want to KNOW what happened, good or bad, so we can work to make your trip better the next time, or commend the hotel or business that gave excellent service!

CDTA STAR Ticket and Line bus Half Fare Swipers  - Online STORE 

        STAR  Coupons and Reduced Fare Swipers are available ON LINE at the CDTA E-STORE!    CDTA took our advice and set up an easy method of purchasing STAR tickets and half-fare Swipers in one online order instead of having to make two separate orders.  Delivery is fast, within a day or two after you order.  Just click on the link below!

Half Fare Swipers and STAR Tickets

CDTA Saratoga Service

Forms and Brochures!

 Check out our available NEW forms and brochures on our Forms page. We have forms for STAR to prove you didn't no-show.  We also have STAR application forms available, an appeal guide, complaint forms and a helpful STAR scheduling log - all free of course.

CDCAT Outreach and Training Program Available

    CDCAT has a new outreach and training program.  We will be assisting agency and organization training of case coordinators, case workers and other staff on transportation advocacy and various methods of transportation for people with disabilities.  There's also a training and support program in the works on 'How to obtain transportation to meet your clients needs'. More on this soon. Remember, we will help explain and train on all areas of transportation including Medicaid, Public transportation including both line bus and STAR, rail, long distance bus, and air. We can provide advocacy and assistance in cases of transportation denials.  We assist customers with appeals for free.

2009 CDCAT Community Meetings         

Coalition Community Meetings are held every other month between March and December only.  (There is no January Meeting due to extreme weather conditions.) These meetings are to offer assistance with problems and paratransit appeals and to discuss any transportation issues relating to those of us with disabilities in the Capital District.

Our next Disability Transportation Coalition Community Meeting will be on: 

Winter Hiatus

When :   Tuesday, March  2009  (date to be announced)

 Time:    6:30pm - 8:00pm         

Where:  Albany Public Library (Main Branch)

                161 Washington Ave.

For more information and future meeting dates (518) 273-1110 or check with the Albany Library.  

Important Note: We DO NOT  have meetings if there are extreme weather conditions. 

CDTA Public Code of Conduct

This code is for all CDTA passengers.  We've given CDTA a letter that also states that the part of the code requiring ID's for service animals is violating Federal laws.  You do not need a license for a service animal.  Please do not try to claim your pet snake or companion animal is a service animal, this makes things harder for people that have REAL service animals.

CDTA Code of Conduct

    Accessible Wheelchairs available at Rensselaer Train Station & the Albany Airport!

Albany Airport

There should be 2 "wheelchair accessible" taxis (A taxi with a ramp so someone doesn't have to get out of their wheelchair and transfer to a seat)  available at the airport and from the Rensselaer Train Station.   

Capitaland Taxi has both the Airport and Train Station taxi contract. Anyone coming into the area should contact Capitaland Taxi and let them know the date and time they will arrive and that they need a wheelchair accessible taxi and can't transfer to a seat or have a power chair that can't fold and be placed in a trunk.  If possible, try to call about 24 hours advance so you don't have to wait for a taxi.   We suggest you take their number with you to call in if you find your plain or train is running earlier or later than you wanted.   You still can though just call from the station but expect a possible wait.

Please let us know if you have difficulty getting an accessible taxi to or from the Airport or Renesselaer Train Station or if you have any associated problems with these taxis (overcharging etc.) 

Tips:

Taxis are metered at the Airport and Train station. Make sure they use the meter.

Accessible taxis cost the same as any taxi.  

Service animals can not be refused nor do they have to be licensed.

Ambulettes vs Wheelchair Accessible Taxi

Watch out for  "Bait and Switch" when you are trying to find an accessible taxi.  We've seen taxi companies with accessibility symbols listed in the phone book that advertising accessible taxis.  These companies do not always have any real accessible taxis. They will send out something called an "ambulette". These are the wheelchair accessible vehicles (look just like a taxi sometimes) that these companies use to transport customers to Medicaid medical appointments.  Should they send this, (They may try to call it an accessible taxi), you'll end up paying up to 4 times the normal cab fare!  Make sure to ask the price UP FRONT.

True accessible taxis DO NOT COST 4 times the amount of a regular taxi.  Federal law prohibits it!  Call the police (and the Coalition) if you are told that you are being sent an accessible taxi and you are instead sent an ambulette and charged more than you should be!

Get a RECEIPT for your payment or refuse to pay till you GET a receipt should the cost seem too high. (This is your proof for later if you find out you were overcharged.)

Call the Coalition!

        Call the Coalition, We don't have CDTA's resources and only volunteers but we try to answer our phones, and return calls promptly. 

If we're unavailable, leave be sure to leave a message on our voice mail and we'll promptly return your call.    Call (518) 273-1110

 Disability Rights Online News    

The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division  has  news articles of interest to people with disabilities.  Check out the link below.

News Link 

A group holds more power than any individual. 

United, we can make a difference!

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 Updated:12/06/2008

CCSNYS

Need Other Help? Check out the Council for Community Services of NYS. 

                                          NAPTA