Newark City Council To Consider JPA for Paratransit Services

NEWARK, CA — Newark City Council will consider a joint powers agreement with the city of Fremont to provide Paratransit services during its Thursday, Nov. 10 meeting at city hall.

Should council chooses to approve the JPA, Newark residents who are 70 years of age and older or who are unable to access public transit independently due to a medical or disabling health condition will be able to utilize paratransit services under the agreement to improve their access to health care, shopping, errands, and social and recreational activities.

The joint powers agreement, which is up for renewal, has been in place for since 2013, the city said, adding that the size and scope of Fremont’s program provides Newark residents with expanded and efficient services.

Services are offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday at a cost of $4 per one-way trip, the city of Newark said in the agenda item listed on its website.

If approved, ride reservations will be taken Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be made up to three days in advance. According to the city, rides will be reserved on a first-call, first-served basis and are subject to vehicle space availability. Reservations and dispatch are provided through MV Transportation and standing order requests will be processed and approved by Fremont’s Transportation and Mobility Services team.

A Subsidized Taxi Voucher Program and a Subsidized Direct-Ride Hailing Service with Lyft and Ride-Hailing Service with GoGo Technologies would also be available should council approve the agenda item.

During the meeting which is open to the public to attend in person or online, council will also adopt resolutions reappointing Jeff Aguilar to the Planning Commission, to continue conducting City Council and all other City Council appointed Board and Commission meetings remotely due to health and safety concerns for the public due to COVID-19 risks and to approve the Newark Community Nonprofit Service Organization Grant Program and authorize and amendment to the 2022-2024 Biennial Budget for fiscal year 2022 to provide American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $300,000 for the Community Nonprofit Grant program.