Call-A-Ride

The St. Louis Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit, a disability advocacy group, released its June report card that assesses Metro Transit. The group gave poor scores in customer service and engagement with people with disabilities and failed Metro on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Metro Transit is making changes after disabled customers and advocates called for the company to better serve its riders. Beginning July 5, the company's Call-A-Ride service will allow booking up to three days in advance for trips for disabled customers.

Riders have said Metro Transit's paratransit service is outdated and doesn’t meet their needs.

St. Louis is known for being a car city — but its public transportation system can be a great way to get around town. Here's a guide to transit options in the St. Louis region.

Metro Call-A-Ride reduced services in parts of St. Louis County in April, and officials cut more fixed bus routes in early June. Advocates for people with disabilities and riders say they want to have input before the agency makes any route changes.

Some Metro Call-A-Ride users who have depended on the service for decades will soon have to find alternatives, because the paratransit service is reducing routes in St. Louis County beginning April 10. One rider says she will lose her independence and miss out on social activities.

Advocates said it's hard for disabled people to find jobs and get to medical appointments without paratransit services that would be cut in some areas on April 10.

Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit services will reduce services in parts of St. Louis County starting next month. Metro officials say they need to cut routes to help reduce trip denials and phone reservation wait times. But advocates for people with disabilities worry that the reduced bus service will limit their independence.

Metro Transit is adjusting policies for its Call-A-Ride service that some disability advocates had claimed were unfair.Starting July 1, the service’s…

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, April 16, 2010 - St. Louis' disabled community could get expanded Call-A-Ride service under an option…