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Berkeley may soon have better transportation for disabled and elderly people.  

The Commission on Aging, the Commission on Disability and the city manager will recommend Tuesday that the City Council use county funds to enhance its paratransit services. 

The recommendations support a recent project by the Bay Area Community Services use money from Measure B to create an on-demand transportation service for people who use wheelchairs. Renewed in November 2000, Measure B allocates money from sales tax to the improvement of transportation in the county, including paratransit services. 

Housing Department Interim Director Stephen Barton, who signed the city manager’s recommendation, said that Berkeley usually receives about $250, 000 a year from the county for its ramp-van and subsidized taxi programs. But Measure B, he said, will now bring the county an additional $1 million to $1.4 million in so-called “gap funds” designed to fill unmet transportation needs. Barton recommends to designate delegates representing Berkeley’s interests on a BACS steering committee and to participate in Measure B funding process. 

“The city would have to make a choice,” he said. “Do we want that money simply to be allocated to each city or would we prefer to have a competitive process where major investment were made in improving services in several parts of the county?” 

Through their recommendations, the Commissions on Aging and Disability want to make sure that the issue will be publicly discussed, that there will be a feasibility study, and that the new services will not compromise the existence of the two current paratransit services. 

“We have a taxi scripp [coupon] program and a van program for the disabled,” said Charles Betcher, chair of the Commission on Aging. “If the city of Berkeley approves [the recommendation], it must not compromise the taxi or van program in any way.” 

The lack of paratransit services has been an ongoing problem in Berkeley, where 17 percent of the population is disabled. To many, recently approved Measure B “gap funds” are the opportunity to address the issue. 

“The Commission on Disability has gone to the City Council previous times with complaints about the lack of services through local paratransit providers,” said Eric Dibner, the Commission on Disability Acting Secretary. One of the main issues he said, is the lack of accessible taxis, but people have also complained about scheduling problems and the vehicles being uncomfortable. 

Councilmember Linda Maio believes current services are insufficient too. She hopes that the City Council will not only agree to add an on-demand service but also improve the existing by-appointment services. 

“I do think [paratransit service providers] are not as responsive as customers would like,” she said. “I think going out after these gap funds for enhanced services is a good idea. But I also think we need to look into the by-appointment service ... and see how well we’re performing.”