(PHOTO RELEASE) Rep. Veasey Visits Arlington Handitran Office to Discuss Legislation to Protect Transit Services
Arlington, Texas— Today, Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, met with Arlington Mayor Pro Tempore Kathryn Wilemon, Council Member Sheri Capehart, Council Member Michael Glaspie, Deputy City Manager Gilbert Perales, and other officials from the City of Arlington to discuss his newly introduced H.R. 1645, the Transportation for Elderly and Disabled Individuals Act. H.R. 1645 would reinstate an allowance for cities such as Arlington, Grand Prairie, and Mesquite, Texas to use federal transit funding for operation and maintenance costs for transit services for the elderly and disabled.
Historically, a major source of assistance for small paratransit operators came from the Urbanized Area Transit Formula Grant. However, an oversight in the 2012 legislation known as the Moving Ahead for Press in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) eliminated this source of funding for some small paratransit operators but did not include an alternative to address the resulting gap.
The City of Arlington's Handitran service provides over 500 trips per day to elderly and disabled residents and is at risk of raising fares or limiting hours of service. "It was important to ensure that Handitran continues to provide affordable and reliable transportation services to our seniors and disabled members of our community," said Congressman Veasey. "Raising the fares to make up the financial gap in Handitran funding is not the answer; correcting the oversight through my bill is the right way."
Caption (L-R): Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, discusses Handitran operations with Arlington Mayor Pro Tempore Kathryn Wilemon, Arlington resident, Council Member Sheri Capehart, Council Member Michael Glaspie, and Deputy City Manager Gilbert Perales.
Caption: Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, rides a Handitran route and discusses transportation issues with Arlington resident and Handitran rider.
Following the introduction of H.R. 1645, the Transportation for Elderly and Disabled Individuals Act, Congressman Veasey wrote a letter requesting that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to include H.R. 1645 in legislation to reauthorize federal highway and transit programs. A copy of the letter can be found below.
***
March 31, 2015
The Honorable Bill Shuster The Honorable Peter DeFazio
Chairman Raking Member
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2165 Rayburn House Office Building 2163 Rayburn House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 201515
The Honorable Sam Graves The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton
Chairman Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
2165 Rayburn House Office Building 2163 Rayburn House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairmen Shuster, Graves; and Ranking Members DeFazio and Norton:
I am writing today in order to respectfully request that my bill, H.R. 1645, The Transportation for Elderly and Disabled Individuals Act, be included in the reauthorization of federal highways and transit programs that your Committee and Subcommittee are currently considering. This important legislation will ensure the continued operation of lifeline paratransit service for elderly and disabled people in many growing communities.
Historically, a major source of assistance for small paratransit operators came from the Urbanized Area Transit Formula Grants. However, an oversight in the current legislation, Moving Ahead for the 21st Century (MAP-21) eliminated this source of funding for some small paratransit operators but did not include an alternative to address the resulting gap. The Transportation for Elderly and Disabled Individuals Act would correct this oversight by allowing small general public demand response service operators in large urbanized areas to use Section 5307 funds for operating assistance.
Every day, elderly and disabled Americans rely on public demand response paratransit service for their transportation for every day necessities and medical visits. For many of these elderly and disabled persons, paratransit service is the primary means by which they maintain an independent life. For example, in North Central Texas, Arlington Handitran provides 500 trips per day for elderly and disabled Arlington residents, providing them with affordable, independent access to employment, education, healthcare, and community life. Paratransit ridership is certainly in demand and continues to grow.
As the nation's elderly population grows in the coming years, paratransit service such as Handitran will allow many seniors to maintain their independence and age in place.
I greatly appreciate your consideration of my request for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to include my bill in legislation to reauthorize federal highway and transit programs. I look forward to working with you on this issue and appreciate your time and attention to this matter.
Please don't hesitate to let me know if I may ever be of assistance to any of you.
Sincerely,
Marc Veasey
Member of Congress