TRN-14.30 – Accessible Service Fund, Accessible Service Program

I. Recommendations for rule adoption and code revisions. At the recommendation of the PFHT Advisory Committee, the Director may adopt administrative rules pursuant to Chapter 16.40.970 and may provide to the Bureau Commissioner-in-Charge a recommendation to revise any sections here within Chapter 16.40.

Under the authority of 16.40.970, the Director adopts Administrative Rule TRN-14.30 Accessible Service Fund, Accessible Service Program.

Pursuant to sections 16.40.190 (D)(6) and 16.40.290 (C)(7), the Director may implement an Accessible Transportation Fee (“Fee”) and establish an Accessible Transportation Fund, which will be managed by the Director or a designee. The purpose of the Fund is to act as an incentive to: (1) provide better and more consistent PFHT Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) service by helping to mitigate the higher costs of providing this service, (2) provide subsidies and improve service levels for any Portlander facing barriers to accessing taxi and TNC transportation services. Service from participating companies and drivers providing wheelchair transportation service is expected to be consistent with established WAV Service Performance Guidelines. Non-wheelchair vehicles providing other accessible transportation must meet all vehicle requirements outlined in chapter 16.40. The Fee is outlined in Administrative Rule TRN 3.450 and makes up part of the City of Portland Surcharge, and can be adjusted by the Director at any time upon review, evaluation, and recommendation by staff or the PFHT Advisory Committee based on, but not limited to, the effectiveness of the Fee rate or demand for accessible service within the City of Portland.

A.  Incentive and Subsidy Program. The Accessible Service Program, incentives, and subsidies (including, but not limited to, PDX WAV, transportation services for people with disabilities, and transportation services for community members with low incomes, such as the Transportation Wallet Program) will be established by the Director and may be adjusted as needed to meet reimbursement and incentive requirements or budgetary restrictions and limits. Funds will be issued to companies that meet all the requirements of section (D) of this rule.

B.  Eligibility Requirements. Accessible Transportation Funds will only be available to companies that meet all the requirements of this rule. The number of companies and drivers may be limited by the Director to balance and maintain a meaningful distribution of funds and meet the Program objectives. Applications may be required to receive incentives and subsidies through any of the applicable programs. If an application is required, it must be renewed annually and only those demonstrating the ability to meet established performance standards will be considered. Prior acceptance to the Program does not guarantee an automatic renewal. Failure to demonstrate the consistent ability to maintain established performance standards will result in immediate removal from the Program.

C.  Qualifying Rides

Rides that qualify for the subsidy must meet one or more of the following guidelines: 

1.  Rides shall be for personal transportation, billed directly to the customer at the company’s established rates reported to the Director as outlined in 16.40.140 (D) and 16.40.290 (C4); 

2.  Rides shall be requested by a third party on behalf of the customer but eventually billed to the customer at the company’s established rates reported to the Director as outlined in 16.40.140 (D) and 16.40.290 (C4); 

3.  Rides shall be requested and paid for by a third party at the established  rates reported to the Director as outlined in 16.40.140 (D) and 16.40.290 (C4), or 

4.  Rides shall be requested for a customer and paid for by a third party at the company’s established rates reported to the Director as outlined in 16.40.140 (D) and 16.40.290 (C4).