Milwaukee County User-Side Subsidy Program: A Case Study

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15271771982PDFTech ReportCharles River AssociatesJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Special Programs Administration. Transportation Systems CenterUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Technical AssistanceUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Service and Management DemonstrationsUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationWisconsinDemonstration projectsLevel of serviceManagementParatransit servicesPersons with disabilitiesSubsidiesTaxicabsUser side subsidiesUMTA-MA-06-0049-82-4;HS-033 888;DOT-TSC-UMTA-82-27DOT-TSC-1757Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, instituted a user-side subsidy program in June 1978 for handicapped users of taxi and chair-car services. The program is funded entirely by county and state contributions. A distinctive feature of the program is that, unlike other user-side subsidy programs that serve both the elderly and the handicapped, Milwaukee County's program serves only handicapped persons. The program limits eligibility to persons requiring the use of a wheelchair, those using a walker or crutches, and the legally blind. The program provides door-to-door transportation for eligible persons using the services of private taxi and chair-car companies. Participants pay the first $1.50 cost of a trip. The program subsidizes the remaining cost, up to a maximum of 9.50 per trip depending upon handicap classification. The program has devised simple administrative procedures for subsidy distribution and has spent approximately 12 percent of the 1980 budget of $1 million on administrative activities. The county's paratransit industry has expanded since the institution of the program and providers appear to be competing actively for program ridership. Enrollment in the program by the eligible population is high, with wheelchair users making the majority of program trips. The program offers a high level of service to the county's most severely handicapped residents, and Milwaukee County's experience should help others anticipate and meet the demand of handicapped persons for low-cost, accessible service.138