ADA Paratransit Fare Changes Announced

Danville Mass Transit will make the following changes to ADA Paratransit fares beginning on Wednesday, May 1, 2013:

• The price of the Paratransit Ticket (5 Rides) will increase from $8 to $10. This is an increase in cost per ride from $1.60 to $2.00.
• ADA-certified riders will be able to ride fixed route buses for free simply by showing the driver their DMT-issued paratransit photo identification.

If you have any questions, please contact the DMT office at (217) 431-0653. Thank you.

DMT Cancels Champaign Service Tonight

Due to expected snow and ice Danville Mass Transit is cancelling two evening trips on its “10 Danville-Champaign” route. The bus travels I-74 between Danville and Champaign. The last trip today will depart Danville at 4:20PM, and Champaign at 5:22PM.

Currently no other service cancellations are planned, however riders are encouraged to check the DMT website at www.ridedmt.org, check for updates on the agency’s Facebook Page or Twitter Feed (@ridedmt), or call (217) 431-0653 for any other cancellations Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Public Hearings to Discuss Fare Changes

DMT is considering fare changes for paratransit riders. The proposal is to increase the cost per ride from $1.60 to $2.00 by raising the price of the five-ride ticket from $8.00 to $10.00. DMT also proposes to offer free fixed-route bus rides to riders who are certified for use of paratransit, as an incentive for these riders to use fixed route buses when possible.

The paratransit service is destination-to-destination transportation for people with disabilities, mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). DMT's paratransit service is operated by CRIS Rural Mass Transit District under contract. DMT pays CRIS $11.21 for every paratransit trip taken in Danville and Tilton.

DMT director John Metzinger says the change will place a greater burden of the cost to provide the service upon the rider, which he says is both fair and good stewardship of public resources. "ADA allows transit providers to charge up to twice the base fixed-route fare for paratransit," said Metzinger. Since DMT charges $1.00 for fixed route rides, it is allowable under ADA to charge $2.00 per trip.

To lighten the burden on riders, DMT proposes to offer paratransit riders free rides on fixed route buses. While paratransit riders have disabilities which usually prevent them from using the fixed route bus, Metzinger says fixed route buses are accessible with ramps and wheelchair securements. Free rides may be an incentive for some to try fixed route buses. Each time a rider chooses fixed route service instead of paratransit the city will save $11.21.

A benefit of using fixed route buses is that riders can go when they want instead of scheduling trips a day in advance. Metzinger said use of fixed route buses is more convenient, and aligns with the goal of ADA, which is to mainstream people with disabilities by improving access and mobility.

The next step is to present the proposals in Public Hearings to collect feedback from riders and the community. Public Hearings are scheduled at the following times:

·         Thursday, February 21, 5-6PM in Lower Level Community Room at City Hall

·         Friday, February 22, 10-11AM in Lower Level Community Room at City Hall

·         Friday, March 1, 8-9AM at CRIS Senior Services, 309 N. Franklin St., Danville

Depending on the outcome of these meetings, Metzinger may take the proposal to the city council for consideration in March, and could implement the changes in May.

To make a comment about the proposal contact DMT at http://www.ridedmt.org/comments.html .

Detour on Williams Street

The following detour will be in effect Wednesday, February 13 and Thursday February 14, due to railroad repair.  The 5 Fairchild and 6 Main/Fairchild will use the following re-routes:

5 Fairchild outbound from Transfer Zone:

            Ahead            Hazel

            Right              Seminary

            Left                 Anderson

            Right              Williams into regular route

 

5 Fairchild and 6 Main/Fairchild inbound:

            Ahead            Williams

            Left                 Anderson

            Right              Seminary

            Right              Washington

            Left                 Williams into regular route

 

Return to regular routing will take place when construction is complete on Thursday, February 14.  DMT regrets any inconvenience to our riders.

Route 8 Douglas Park Detour

Beginning January 16th at about 8AM, the City of Danville will be closing Cleveland Avenue, which will last for about two days. The route 8 bus will detour by following Bowman to right on Main, then left on Griffin. The following four bus stops will not be served while this detour is in effect:

• Cleveland and Columbus
• Cleveland and Griffin
• Griffin and Nevada
• Griffin and Utah

DMT regrets any inconvenience this causes our riders.

No DMT Service on MLK Day

DMT will not operate and all offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013, so that our employees may take part in community events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We wish all of our riders a meaningful remembrance of Dr. King's contributions to civil rights in our nation.

Holiday Service Reductions Planned

Danville Mass Transit (DMT) will operate the Saturday schedule on Monday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) and on Monday, December 31st (New Years Eve). Routes 9 Georgetown, 13 Tilton, and 14 Lynch will not operate. Other routes will operate reduced schedules. Check the timetable for more information.

No buses will operate and the office will be closed on Tuesday, December 25th (Christmas Day) and on Tuesday, January 1st (New Years Day).

All of us at DMT wish our riders and our community a happy holiday season.