East Bay Paratransit continues to provide specialized transportation services to people who are residents of Alameda County and who have disabilities preventing them from using regular public transit.  It is a program established by AC Transit and BART in 1996 as a joint project to provide paratransit services mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  East Bay Paratransit's goals are the provision of ADA compliant, cost-effective, safe, convenient, and reliable paratransit service. 

In FY 06/07 East Bay Paratransit's service transported more than 656,000 passengers.  In FY 07/08 more than 665,000 persons will have taken a ride on East Bay Paratransit.  The cost of transporting these passengers is partially covered through Alameda County Measure B, which funds about 25% of the operating budget for the ADA program.  The remaining expense is paid for by AC Transit and BART.

In addition to providing operating funds, Measure B also currently funds a number of special East Bay Paratransit projects, which will be implemented over the next two years.  These include:

• Installation of mobile computers and global positioning systems on all East Bay Paratransit vehicles. This will allow for both improved communication with drivers and periodic location updates of each vehicle.
• Special software that will call the rider with the vehicle's expected arrival time.
• Creation of a database with a detailed inventory all transportation resources in Alameda and Western Contra Costa Counties.
• A graphic book, consisting primarily of pictures, that describes "how to ride BART". It will assist seniors and individuals with disabilities who can still use BART, at least some of the time.

Lastly, one project, also funded by Measure B and already in place, is a "rider care specialist" who works with individuals, agencies, and caregivers to solve difficult transportation issues.

Many thanks to the voters of Alameda County for Measure B's ongoing contributions to providing this extensive and needed transportation to people with disabilities in Alameda County.