MetroLift: shifting forward
Meeting a need
Regarding “Fixing MetroLift” (Page B8, July 2), Metro appreciates the editorial on MetroLift, which provides more than 1.8 million trips annually for our elderly and disabled customers. There are some points we want to clarify.
Metro currently contracts out most of MetroLift. Of the six services necessary to provide paratransit, Metro directly performs only two — the Reservation Call Center and Dispatch & Scheduling Center. The operation and maintenance of vehicles used to transport customers is done through contractors. Metro staff under the guidance of its board of directors is looking at options to provide the best value for the agency, our customers and taxpayers who help make paratransit possible for the Houston/Harris County region. These options are the result of meetings with customers, vendors, and community groups. Metro is examining all avenues for providing better service and requested input, including proposals, from new services like Uber and Lyft but neither chose to participate in this procurement.
Cost saving is not the primary motivation, and certainly not our only consideration. Service quality will continue to be our focus going forward as the board considers these options and makes its decision after open dialogue and feedback from our customers, our employees and the community. Our agency is working each day to find ways to turn drivers into riders. MetroLift goes the extra mile, beyond the Americans With Disabilities Act minimum required service area. It picks up and connects people who cannot travel on our regular system. We are determined to not let them down. Thomas Lambert, Metro
president & CEO