Recently, at a Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) meeting, Legislator David Tubiolo (Yonkers, Mount Vernon) and his colleagues authorized funding to replace outdated Para-Transit Vehicles.

According to Department Heads, the current Para-Transit fleet of approximately 100 vehicles, plus an additional 40 vehicles with Para-Taxi, has slowly deteriorated over time.  

“Para-Transit has a fleet of 100 vehicles completing an average of 1,100 to 1,500 trips per day with over 6,800 unique users,” said Tubiolo, a member of the Legislature’s Public Works Committee which oversees transportation.  “Historically, Para-Transit trips have grown by approximately 3% per year.  However, recently the number of trips has grown by 6%.  In 2016 there were 295,000 trips, in 2017 roughly 312,000 trips and it’s projected that there will over 320,000 in 2018,” Tubiolo stated.

Tubiolo, who chairs the BOL’s Committee on Seniors & Constituencies, noted that the authorized funding will be used to replace 25 vehicles with more fuel efficient and cost efficient vehicles, benefitting the environment as well as the taxpayers.  “We see a steady increase in Para-Transit ridership, mainly due to the growth in our senior population for which, along with our disabled residents, we’re becoming more accessible,” said Tubiolo.  “The County, through the excellent work of the Office for People with Disabilities, provides a great service to our residents with fixed pricing of $5 per ride, for curb-to-curb service.”

Tubiolo also noted that nearly 45% of the 6,800 unique riders are senior citizens who utilize Para-Transit 7 days per week for visits to the doctor, family, friends, grocery store, movies, senior centers and more.  “This helps our seniors to remain independent and vibrant. Para-Transit in our county proudly goes above and beyond the required ¾ mile distance of a bus route, which once again gives seniors flexibility and freedom and helps fight senior isolationism,” Tubiolo concluded.

The County’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will be purchasing ten hybrid Prius vehicles and fifteen Ford passenger vans.

Evan Latainer, Director of the Office for People with Disabilities said, “The addition of the new vehicles will allow Para-Transit the opportunity to continue bringing fuel efficient vehicles such as, hybrids and electric vehicles, into the overall service.”

Para-Transit is a public transportation, which provides service for those who are unable to utilize the regular fixed bus service. Para-Transit is designed for persons with disabilities and our senior community, since seniors often experience limitations that make it difficult to use regular bus service.  

For more information on Para-transit: Call (914) 995-7272 or visit their website at https://disabled.westchestergov.com/