Amid user complaints, city considers more funding for paratransit service
The city will make strides to improve the DATS paratransit service by looking to invest in the upcoming budget following emotional pleas Monday from users on lack of capacity and poor service.
Council’s executive committee heard from 19 people concerned with the growing demand for the service and increasing wait times that have caused missed appointments, classes and difficulty booking the service.
Heading into budget deliberations, city administration will work to prepare a service package detailing the funds needed to improve the service.
“This is affecting the quality of life of citizens of Edmonton,” Coun. Bev Esslinger said after making the motion. “We need to work through some of the challenges and we need to engage them in the conversation.”
City officials will also work with the community to set principles of service, including on timeliness and booking, with a report due back in mid-2019.
“We know that there’s a financial cost to us, but how can you measure quality of life? I think we’re committed to that and so we need to work together,” Esslinger said.
The city estimated improving DATS service could require an extra $2.3 million in the four-year budget, taking into account alternative transportation options like accessible taxis and Drive Happiness — a non-profit transportation service for seniors.