SIMI VALLEY : Council OKs Funds for Transit Service
The Simi Valley City Council voted Monday to allocate $117,200 in general fund money and to apply for a $162,200 federal grant to improve its door-to-door transit service to the handicapped.
The council’s action was necessary to ensure that the city’s transit service meets the guidelines of a 1990 civil rights law passed by Congress.
The Americans With Disabilities Act requires that all public transit operators provide the disabled with the same level of transit service available to the general public. Failure to comply with the law could result in lawsuits against the city by affected individuals and the loss of federal transit funds.
Although Simi Valley already provides door-to-door service, it will need to expand its operations to match those of its regular bus service, city officials said. The city has two wheelchair-equipped minivans that it uses for a dial-a-ride program for the elderly and the handicapped.
The combination of local and federal funds--a total of $279,400--is needed to purchase a new wheelchair-equipped van and hire a driver, dispatcher and supervisor.
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