UnderWater World Hosts Ceremonies for BART-AC Transbay Service for Disabled.

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1996--The proverbial "red carpet" will be rolled out tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11, for users of BART's and AC Transit's new across-the-Bay paratransit service as people in the disability community attend special ceremonies and explore San Francisco's newest

The paratransit vans will arrive at UnderWater World about 10 a.m., where a red carpet will lead riders to the inaugural ceremonies and UnderWater World.

The ceremonies will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests will be welcomed by BART Board Vice President Margaret K. Pryor and General Manager Richard A. White; AC Transit Assistant General Manager Kay Van Sickel; SF Muni General Manager Phil Adams; representatives of UnderWater World; and docents from the Aquarium walk.

Other invited guests include San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, local Congressional and State representatives and members of local organizations for people with disabilities.

Refreshments will be served.

UnderWater World, located adjacent to PIER 39, is San Francisco's newest attraction. The $40 million, innovative aquarium offers visitors a "diver's eye" view of local marine life in San Francisco Bay. UnderWater World is designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities and offers an admission discount for disabled people.

UnderWater World encourages the use of public transportation. Using BART or other public transportation qualifies visitors for a $2 discount to UnderWater World when a transit ticket stub is presented at the box office.

Paratransit is a service designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities who are unable to use existing public transit such as that provided by trains or bus systems. It is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which Congress passed in 1990.

"Paratransit isn't just for trips to the doctor," said BART Board President Dan Richard. "We're out to disabuse some people of the notion that the lives of people with disabilities must somehow be `less independent' or enjoyable than the lives of people without disabilities."

BART and AC Transit formed the East Bay Paratransit Consortium in order to provide the most efficient and economical implementation of the ADA. Services are provided by Comsis Mobility Services, with offices in Oakland. Paratransit service near many East Bay BART stations began in January, and transbay paratransit service began in February.

Using lift-equipped vans and sedans that are easily accessible by people with disabilities, Comsis will transport eligible riders to and from desired locations in San Francisco and any point in the East Bay that is within a three-quarter-mile radius of any one of 15 BART stations between North Berkeley and South Hayward.

Beginning July 1, the service will be expanded to any point within a three-quarter-mile radius of any AC Transit route. Paratransit service will eventually be expanded to include all BART stations in the East Bay.

"We're very proud to have taken this major step toward meeting the public transit needs of people with disabilities, and we're moving ahead to ensure that these services are in compliance with the January 1997 federal deadline," said BART GM White.

Fares are based on the "as the crow flies" distances of the trips. One-way fares -- whether East Bay or transbay -- range from $1.75 to $5.25, and will rise to $2 to $6 on July 1. An additional 80 cents is charged for transbay trips that begin or end outside the three-quarter-mile radius from San Francisco BART stations.

A companion may ride with the person with disabilities and must pay the same fare unless the person with disabilities is certified as needing a Personal Care Assistant (PSA), in which case the PSA rides at no charge.

To become eligible for paratransit service, East Bay residents must complete an application. They may write East Bay Paratransit Consortium, 1720 Broadway, Suite 310, Oakland, 94612, or call Comsis at 510/287-5000 or 800/555-8085 (fax: 510/287-5069; TTY: 510/287-5065) and ask for an application. Assistance in filling out the application is provided upon request.

San Francisco residents should call Muni's Paratransit Broker at 415/202-9903.

Eligible customers who want to avail themselves of the Consortium's services should call Comsis Mobility Services between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., one to 14 days in advance of their desired trip. To be certified as "eligible," people must be unable, because of a disability or frailty, to independently use public transit, and be certified eligible under ADA guidelines.

Being certified ADA eligible for paratransit services offered by BART, AC Transit and Muni also make customers eligible for paratransit services throughout the United States.

CONTACT: BART, Oakland

Mike Healy, 510/464-7110

or

AC Transit

Mike Mills, 510/891-4875