MTA Gets Rare Praise for Its Paratransit Service

It's not often these days that the MTA is praised for its service. And it's even rarer that its paratransit riders are the ones doing the praising. But that's what happened at Monday's board meeting.

More than a dozen riders said they were thrilled about a year-long pilot that has allowed 1,200 of the MTA's 150,000 paratransit riders to summon a yellow or green taxi using the app Curb. They waited only a few minutes — yet paid the same $2.75 fare as those who ordered a white bus 24-hours in advance. 

"Being part of the e-hail program restores dignity to those with disabilities," said Debra Nussbaum Cohen, who is blind and mobility impaired. 

The year-long pilot cost $60 million dollars. The program is set to expire in October.

"I'm urging you to expand the program, so hundreds more on the waiting list, including me and all Access-a-Riders can travel at will, as all other MTA riders," said Monica Bartley with Center for Independence of the Disabled.

Darryl Irick, head of New  York City buses, which oversees paratransit, said he will discuss extending the pilot at October's board meeting.