Taxi Increases Lead AATA to Tweak A-Ride Deal

At its Aug. 24, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board authorized an increase in its contract with Select Ride, to provide service for the AATA’s A-Ride service – an on-demand program offered to those with disabilities preventing them from riding the regularly scheduled AATA fixed route service. The increase in the contract authorized by the board is 2.9% – from $2,793,481 to $2,873,481.

The increase reflects the recent increases in taxicab rates, authorized by the Ann Arbor city council at its May 16, 2011 meeting. The increase authorized by the council was from $2.25/mile to $2.50/mile, which had been requested by several taxicab companies in light of rising fuel prices.

The contract with Select Ride is structured so that the company is paid based upon the distance that passengers are transported together with the fare structure for the taxicab rides. The contract increase reflects a compromise under which the AATA is shouldering only part of the increased cost due to the taxicab fare increase.

This brief was filed from the downtown location of the Ann Arbor District Library, where the AATA board holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]