RE: Taxicab "Equivalent Service" concerns

I spoke with Hal Morgan on Monday, June 5 at the Taxicab, Limousine, and Paratransit Association.  He is a good guy and truly interested in supporting better solutions.  His responses are realistic, but demonstrate a need for some better out-of-the-box thinking regarding taxicab/paratransit and how the two various forms of public transportation can better interact and work together to provide good services in a cost effective yet timely manner.  Possibly paratransit operations need to be moved out of the public domain and privatized, government purchasing the services from the lowest priced commercial operator who meets minimum service requirement.

 

I also spoke with Rebecca who is affiliated with ADA related issues for the city of Minneapolis.

-Mark

---

From: Hal Morgan [mailto:hmorgan@tlpa.org]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 4:50 PM
To: Mark Felling
Subject: Re: Taxicab "Equivalent Service" concerns

Mark

Just a note to let you know I received your e-mail.  

The problem in this country is that taxicab drivers are independent contractor drivers, meaning that each taxicab is its own profit center, separately owned (or leased) and operated. Since each taxicab has to make a profit, it is extremely difficult to find drivers willing to enter the wheelchair accessible taxicab business. There are not employee drivers that a company can order to drive.  

Programs where wheelchair-accessible taxicabs operate successfully have the following in place:


1. Subsidies to account for the additionally higher purchase price and higher depreciation expense associated with wheelchair accessible vans over conventional vehicles

2. Subsidies to account for the higher operating costs, such as maintenance and repair, of operating accessible vehicles over sedans.

3. Contract services to allow drivers a full complement of passengers and therefore the ability to make money by carrying taxicab passengers in need of an accessible vehicle, and carry ambulatory and non-ambulatory passengers under contracts.

That is why services in Europe and Japan better serve the disabled public – subsidies so the drivers can make a living.

You said that you believe that taxicab companies are circumventing accessibility and equivalent services requirements by setting up paratransit operations with vans.  The difference is that taxicab companies use independent contractor drivers and paratransit companies use employee drivers. They can charge $30 to $40 per trip and pay the driver a fair wage and benefits, pay the higher vehicle purchase and operating costs (especially insurance).

The economics of taxicab operations are totally different.  The driver can only charge the meter rate to any passenger disabled or not so he has to make his profit on trip volume and longer trips.

I agree with you that if a company operates accessible vehicles then they have to meet the equivalency requirements and provide a 24-hour service that serves riders with disabilities with similar service to ambulatory passengers. But, the disincentives are such that people are not beating each other up to start taxicab services to people with disabilities.  You are a businessman.  For fun, look into the economics of buying a taxicab company in the Twin Cities area. Maybe you can come up with a revolutionary approach.




Hal Morgan

Airventure July 29-30 - Presenting forum on Sky Chairiot Project

Everyone,

My brother Greg and myself will be attending EAA Airventure 2006 in Oshkosh Wisconsin, the world's biggest airshow on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30th. I just received notification yesterday I will be presenting a forum from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the location "02 GAMA" titled "Flying in a Wheelchair - Sky Chairiot Project". I will be covering the challenges and difficulties faced by wheelchair users flying commercially and recreationally today, and of course officially introducing the Sky Chairiot Project. For those of you who are wheelchair users and fly, your comments or stories would be great. Any wheelchair users who are also pilots, I could sure use more information on legal/administrative challenges such as getting a medical.

Greg and I will be camping overnight, which will be my first attempt since my accident at camping, though I don't anticipate any problems since the largest challenge - transferring to and from the wheelchair is resolved with one of the new "Comfort Carrier's" I designed. (http://www.gimpgear.us/comfortcarrier.htm) Were going to try to bring along an air mattress and a tent big enough for me to get into with my wheelchair.

If you're planning to attend Airventure, please let me know and come to the forum! For those of you here in Minnesota, please consider joining me for the weekend! I guarantee if you've never been there you will have a blast! I can fit up to three more people in my minivan.

Mark Felling
Mark@Felling.US
www.BroadenedHorizons.org - Sky Chairiot Project information and pictures

---

From: eHotline-owner@eaamail.org [mailto:eHotline-owner@eaamail.org] On Behalf Of ehotline
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 5:19 PM
To: ehotline@eaamail.org
Subject: EAA eHotline Volume 6 Number 22

This is the HTML version of EAA e-Hotline. If you would like to receive the TEXT version, please change your option here: https://secure.eaa.org/ehotline/subscribe.html.

 

 

June 2, 2006    Volume 6, Number 22       B-17 TOUR SET TO WRAP UP WESTERN LEG The Keep it Flyin' tour featuring EAA's venerable World War II bomber Aluminum Overcast is at Spokane Felts Field Airport June 2-4. The following week wraps up the western leg of the tour at  Billings, Montana, Logan International Airport June 6-7; and Denver Centennial Airport June 9-11. After Denver, Aluminum Overcast returns to Oshkosh for its scheduled 120-hour maintenance, then heads back out for the rest of the pre-AirVenture tour beginning June 23 at West Bend, Wisconsin, Municipal Airport. For complete tour information, or to reserve your seat on-line, visit www.B17.org.    Insurance Tips Upcoming Aviation Events Sport Air Workshops EAA Flight Planner    Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft EAA Air Academy Camps Young Eagles Program National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)    EAA AirVenture Museum Ford Tri-Motor Tour Schedule Vintage Aircraft Association Warbirds of America    Aeromedical/Legal Advisory Autogas STC Government & Industry                Q & A:  Question of the Week EAA Aviation Services I am getting ready to purchase my first sport airplane. What are some good financing and insurance companies can I use? Answer: Talk about being in the right place at the right time! As an EAA member, you're eligible to participate in two member benefit programs, the EAA Aircraft Financing Program and the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan. Our financing program partner is AirFleet Capital, Inc., who can be reached toll-free at 866-808-6040. For EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan, call program administrator Falcon Insurance Agency toll-free at 866/647-4322. How can we help you? To ask a question regarding government issues, e-mail govt@eaa.org. If you have a question about registration, airmen, aircraft and medical certification, safety records, performance, or any other matter, e-mail infoserv@eaa.org.    We are pleased to provide this info to EAA members as a membership benefit. To ensure that this service continues, renew your membership or join EAA today by calling 800/843-3612 or 920/426-5912. June 2006 EAA Desktop Calendar There's no place like EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and for checking out light-sport aircraft, there's no place quite like the LSA Mall situated off AeroShell Square. More than 30 types on display, manufacturer's representatives, and EAA sport pilot experts available to answer any and all questions throughout the week. To download this image for your computer desktop, visit the EAA website. You can also download any of the previous EAA monthly desktop images. email us :: visit our site Privacy Statement   52 Days Until EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006!       EAA AIRVENTURE TO HOST DIAMOND D-JET PUBLIC UNVEILING Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., manufacturer of an extensive line of single- and twin-engine piston airplanes, will debut its newest aircraft, the D-JET, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 on Wednesday, July 26. The five-passenger D-JET is Diamond's entry into the burgeoning marketplace of very light jets (VLJs), which offers individuals and businesses jet transportation at acquisition and operating costs lower than those associated with traditional corporate jets. (read more)      BEACH BOYS EAGER FOR FIRST AIRVENTURE VISIT An American institution, The Beach Boys have been nearly everywhere since brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine got together and invented what was to become known as "The California Sound" in the early 1960s. One thing they haven't done, though, is be part of EAA AirVenture - The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration. That will change this year when they wrap up Opening Day at Oshkosh on Monday, July 24, with a concert free to all AirVenture guests that day courtesy of Ford Motor Company. EAA caught up recently with Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love and discussed the band's upcoming appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. (read more)      HALLMARKS OF HOMEBUILDING - LOU STOLP'S IDEA: THE ONE-STOP SHOP These days if you want to build your own airplane, there are countless companies from which to choose that will provide everything you need in complete kits. But that was not always the case; homebuilding meant you purchased a set of plans and then it was up to you to obtain the parts needed to build it. Until an aircraft designer and EAAer from California had an idea. (read more)      HOMEBUILT PATCH COMMEMORATES SPECIAL 'HALLMARK' This year's "I Brought My Homebuilt" patch features the Mechanix Illustrated Corben Baby Ace that helped create the first large surge in membership for the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1955. That year EAA Founder and Chairman of the Board Paul Poberezny penned a series of articles for the publication, including the May cover story, telling how to build the airplane for under $800. (read more)       RESERVE NOW FOR 'ALUMINUM OVERCAST' AT EAA AIRVENTURE Now is the time to book your reservation for the return of EAA's magnificent B-17, Aluminum Overcast, to the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration, AirVenture Oshkosh 2006. After a year's absence while undergoing repairs, the Flying Fortress will be back better than ever. Pre-book now and receive a substantial discount - EAA members can board for $359 with advance purchase vs. $385 during the convention. ($399 and $425 for non-EAA members.) Flight fill up fast, so visit www.b17.org, call 800/FLY-NB17 (359-6217), or e-mail b17reservations@eaa.org for all the details. GET YOUR EAA AIRVENTURE NOTAM TODAY Get your copy of the official EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) booklet by calling 800/JOIN-EAA (564-6322) today. You can also download an easy-to-print PDF document form posted on the AirVenture website.     SAVE ON AIR FARES TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH American, Midwest, and Northwest airlines offer air fare discounts for EAA members and other aviation enthusiasts planning to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006. (read more)   AIRVENTURE WAYPOINTS, FUEL STOPS, ALTERNATE AIRPORTS EAA AirVenture  specials are available along routes to and from the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration. Visit the AirVenture website to see the complete list, or include your business by e-mailing the name, airport, phone number, e-mail address, and any special offers or discounts to webmaster@eaa.org.      EAA AIRVENTURE RIDESHARE Looking for a ride, or have a spare seat to get to Oshkosh? Visit www.airventure.org/rideshare.    VISIT www.airventure.org FOR LATEST UPDATES Get the latest news and information about the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration at www.airventure.org, the official website of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006! 'FLY THE FORD' EAST COAST TOUR STARTS JUNE 9 Next weekend EAA's 1927 Ford Tri-Motor embarks on a seven-city mini tour in the Eastern U.S. that continues through July 4. The first stop will be June 9-12 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's Capital City Airport, followed by a June 14-15 visit to Manassas, Virginia, and June 17-19 at Caldwell, New Jersey. Everyone's invited to come out and "Fly the Ford" while taking in some real aviation history. Ford Tri Motors were the world's first mass-produced airliner. For complete tour information, visit the EAA AirVenture Museum website.              DC-3 DONATED TO FLABOB, WATHEN AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL A DC-3 donated to the Wathen Aviation Organization by real estate developer Jerry Barto was recently ferried to Flabob airport in Riverside, California, where it will be used on behalf of the historic airport and its student-oriented activities. Barto took his first flying lessons at Flabob when he was 12 years old. Plans are to repaint and refurbish the aircraft before it takes to the skies with students from Wathen Aviation High School and members of the high school recruiting team to visit EAA Chapter events, fly-ins and other aviation events. There will also likely be future flights to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. "The DC-3 will become a kind of flying classroom for our high school students," said Jon Goldenbaum, vice president of Poly Fiber. "When it's not winging its way to or from aviation events, it will be used for classes relating to aviation literature, aircraft maintenance, or meetings that might benefit from the ambience." For more information on Flabob or the Wathen Charter High School, visit www.flabob.com or call 951/683-2309.      ECLIPSE 500 TEST FLEET TOPS 2,000 FLIGHT HOURS The Eclipse 500 very-light jets (VLJ) test fleet has exceeded 2,000 flight hours and completed the majority of its required FAA certification testing. Six customer aircraft are in various assembly positions on the production line and the jet is on track to achieve FAA certification by the end of the current quarter. "We accumulated more than 300 flight hours in the last four weeks," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "I am also thrilled to see the production line coming to life." For more information visit www.eclipseaviation.com.      AMERICAN LEGEND OFFERS LEGEND COMBAT LSA American Legend Aircraft Company new Legend Combat debuted last month at EAA's Southwest Regional Fly-in in Hondo, Texas. The light-sport certified, two-place tube-and-fabric aircraft's military paint and markings are reminiscent of the historic Piper L-4, L-18 and L-21 produced as liaison aircraft for the U.S. Army and Air Force from 1942 to 1962. Both the Legend Cub and Legend Combat come with a variety of standard features including doors on both sides of the fuselage, an aircraft electrical system with starter, fuel storage in wing tanks, a 3-inch wider cabin, and the 100-hp Continental O-200 engine. For more information, call 903/885-7000, or visit www.legend.aero.      FINANCING NOW AVAILABLE FOR SONEX AIRCRAFT Sonex Aircraft Complete Airframe Kits for the Sonex, Waiex and Xenos are now on the "approved" kit list for two major aircraft finance companies, AirFleet Capital and NAFCO. Both companies will handle "approved" experimental aircraft kits. AirFleet Capital is financing experimental aircraft kits through the EAA Aircraft Financing program. A minimum of $10,000 of your Sonex Aircraft project can be financed with AirFleet Capital. You can find more information and request a quote on-line at www.AirFleetCapital.com, or call 800/390-4324. National Aircraft Finance Company will also finance a minimum of $10,000 for your Sonex Aircraft project. Get more information at www.airloans.com, or call 800/999-3712.      SPORTY'S ISSUES FAA TEST GUARANTEE Sporty's is so certain that its Complete Flight Training Courses will prepare you for your pilot's license that it's offering a Triple Guarantee: Pass your written test, oral exam, and checkride or get your money back. Sporty's Complete Recreational Pilot Flight Training Course is available for $99, the Private Pilot Course for $199, and the Instrument Rating Course for $249. Visit www.sportys.com/courses to view video clips and to order the volume 1 of each course absolutely free.      To ensure that you continue to receive EAA e-hotline, please add ehotline@eaa.org to your e-mail address book today. AOL users, add us to your buddy list! We welcome your comments and suggestions to ehotline@eaa.org.   All content, logos and pictures are the property of EAA Copyright © 2004-2006 - Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh , WI 54902 800/236-4800 :: 920/426-4800 If you wish to unsubscribe, visit https://secure.eaa.org/ehotline/unsubscribe.html. Thank you for your EAA Membership!