Marin Transit approves revamp of taxi voucher program
Marin Transit is overhauling its Marin Access transportation programs for seniors and people with disabilities to cut costs and focus ride subsidies on those with financial needs.
The agency’s board approved the action at its April 7 meeting. The key change centers around replacing the “Catch-A-Ride” taxi voucher program with a new “mobility wallet” payment card for use with a variety of transportation providers, including taxis and ride-share services.
The “mobility wallet” would be available to only those who qualify for low-income fare assistance. “Catch-A-Ride” members who are not income eligible will be phased out.
“Enrollment is growing, ridership is growing and the program costs are continuing to grow,” said Joanna Huitt, program and policy manager at Marin Transit. “And we’re in a position where we must make program changes to limit cost escalation and refocus our resources on those most in need.”
The original Catch-A-Ride program launched in 2012 as a subsidized taxi program that allowed riders to take trips with local providers. In 2020, the program was changed so that riders paid a $4 per trip and 100% of the fare beyond $18. Riders were limited to 10 trips.
In 2023, it was restructured to a voucher-based program for a pilot period. The pilot program provides fare-assistance-eligible riders with up to 30 vouchers a quarter, each worth $25 a trip. It also offers those riders 10 long-distance vouchers per quarter up to $40 a trip.
Riders not eligible for fare assistance are given 30 vouchers per quarter with a $5 co-pay for each trip. Marin Transit pays up to $20 a trip. Riders are able to choose paper vouchers to use with North Bay Taxi or digital vouchers for Uber and Lyft.
Enrollment in the program has grown from just about 300 last year to more than 700, Huitt said.
The program is growing particularly with those who have financial needs. At the same time, cost is exceeding the budget of $500,000 a year, Huitt said.
Marin Transit budgeted $620,000 for fiscal year 2025-26, but staff estimated it would actually cost about $1.25 million if it continued the program as it is structured, Huitt said.
By comparison, the mobility wallet program is expected to stay within the $620,000 budget for next year, Huitt said.
Under a mobility wallet system, staff will be able to distribute subsidies more efficiently and riders will be able to use the voucher with their transit providers of choice, increasing the flexibility of the program. The model will enable riders to use the same services as before, but also Uzurv, Vivalon, SilverRide and others.
The time-consuming paper voucher process would be discontinued and Marin Transit staff would be able to more easily monitor the use of funds to prevent potential fraud.
Riders eligible for the program would get a $200 monthly subsidy up to $2,400 a year. They will also receive enhanced benefits in other Marin Access programs, including $75 per quarter for local paratransit and shuttle services and a free Marin Transit annual pass.
Those who are being phased out of the program would get a $200 monthly subsidy for six months. These riders will also get a one-month Clipper Card pass for Marin Transit routes.
Residents who are 65 and older or who have a disability, but who do not qualify for fare assistance, could participate in the “intro to mobility program” for a one-time subsidy of $200.
The intro program also provides riders with a one-month Clipper Card pass for use on Marin Transit fixed route service, as well as access to the agency’s volunteer driver program and travel training to learn how to use the county’s transit offerings.
Marin Transit plans a rider education campaign to inform its ridership of the changes, which are expected to begin in July, Huitt said.
“I know this is a big change, but a very important one, and a very well thought out one,” said Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan, president of the Marin Transit board. “And I’m excited to hear the report outs as we continue hear from members of the public.”