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BRTA, more than a bus service
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BRTA, more than a bus service
By Charles Mac Neil, BRTA Director
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) is locally controlled by the member communities who choose to receive public transportation services, but many elders may not be aware the BRTA offers services far beyond the bus system.
In addition to the roughly half-million bus passengers we carry each year, the BRTA subsidizes approximately 50,000 additional trips taken in taxis, chair car vans, and Council on Aging vans and minibuses. These "paratransit" trips are taken almost exclusively by elders and disabled individuals. These individuals who can access and navigate the bus system may do so at half-fare. Although so many people in the Berkshires obviously are familiar with and take advantage of BRTA transportation, others have not yet learned of these important available services which may offer effective solutions to getting around to medical appointments, shopping destinations, senior centers, meal sites, and social gatherings.
Half-fare bus: Individuals age 60 and older and those who have a Medicare card may ride the BRTA buses for half-fare any time. Individuals with a disability are also entitled to half-fare bus service if they meet the federal government standard. Anyone may contact the BRTA office in Pittsfield and go through a simple application process. Once accepted, a picture ID is taken that, when shown to the bus driver, will entitle the person to the half-fare. The BRTA bus fleet is accessible to those with disabilities and can accommodate up to two wheel chairs on each bus. Our new blue buses are "low-floor" models. The floor of the bus is low enough to allow a natural step from a sidewalk onto the bus without having to climb stairs.
Paratransit: For individuals who have difficulty in getting to/from bus stops or in navigating the bus system, BRTA offers paratransit services, which provides something other than fixed route buses. Under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public bus services have to also offer complimentary "curb-to-curb" service during the times that the fixed route buses operate. This right entitles an eligible person to schedule a trip during bus operation that would have a paratransit vehicle (taxi, chair car van, or minibus) provide a trip between their origin and destination, so long as both are within 3/4 mile of the bus route. The fare for this trip is twice the bus fare. For a local one zone trip (within one town) the fare is $1.50, significantly inexpensive compared to the cost of running the service. The $1.50 fare is per zone (town) of travel and is capped at $6. To become eligible for this service, one must apply to the BRTA.
For many years, the BRTA provided subsidized chair car services to those elders and disabled who are eligible. These specialized services are more expensive and available at any time. The passenger fare is $5 for the first town of travel and 1/3 that cost for each additional town. Fare tickets are sold at the BRTA and various outlets.
Taxi: The BRTA also subsidizes taxi service for individuals age 60 and older. BRTA taxi tickets are available at a 30% discount. Each ticket costs $.70 and is good for $1 when used for taxi trips. Eligible applicants for this service can take advantage with no limit.
Human Service Transportation (HST): The BRTA is a broker for HST services in the Berkshires. Any consumer of the Divisions of Medical Assistance (DMA or Medicaid), the Department of Public Health (DPH), or the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) eligible for transportation services can schedule them through the BRTA.
The BRTA also is the lead agency in the Berkshires for applying for wheel chair vans and minibuses that are distributed to no-profit agencies for transportation for elders and the disabled. Over the years, these vehicles have been leased to many area Councils on Aging and other agencies such as Ad Lib in Pittsfield and Southern Berkshire Elder Transportation Corporation in Great Barrington. Several of these operators also provide some of the BRTA subsidized services described above.
As you can see, the BRTA is a very diversified regional public transportation agency administering funds to provide a myriad of services throughout the Berkshires and beyond. In the future, I will share more details of our Authority and some of the challenges we face. For more information on any of the BRTA transportation services, please call us at 499-2782 or 1-800-292-BRTA.