PRESS RELEASE
June 2, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The City of Alameda and Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) have partnered to provide free AC Transit bus passes for up to 167 senior or disabled residents of Alameda Point Collaborative, which is a low-income, supportive housing community in Alameda Point. The bus passes allow these residents to ride on any AC Transit bus route for free. Alameda Point Collaborative Executive Director Doug Biggs said, “Overall, it has been a huge success with our residents!” Individual riders also commented. Carrie said, “The bus pass is very helpful. I now have a chance to get out of the apartment more, spend time with my grandson, and take him places.” Dayna said, “The bus pass is wonderful, it takes the worry away from going to AC Transit for a sticker, and it saves me a lot of money.”
This scholarship program is facilitated by AC Transit’s EasyPass program and the City of Alameda’s Paratransit Program, funded through Measures B and BB, Alameda County’s one-cent sales tax for transportation, which provides a dedicated funding source to local jurisdictions for non-mandated, locally based services for individuals with disabilities and for seniors. AC Transit’s EasyPass program is a group transit benefit that offers low cost bus passes. The City of Alameda’s Paratransit Program covers the expenses of the low cost EasyPass bus passes to make them free for Alameda Point Collaborative recipients. Currently, 106 Alameda Point Collaborative residents are enrolled in the program. In March, 50 residents used the bus passes, and took 1,413 rides, averaging 14 round-trip bus rides per resident. In April, 69 residents used the bus passes and took 2,399 rides, averaging 17 round-trip bus rides per resident.
Contact:
Victoria Williams, Paratransit Coordinator
(510) 747-7512
