Unlocking the Next Evolution of Accessible Transit Through Same-Day Paratransit
By Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA) | 4/14/2026
REP. LATEEFAH SIMON (D-CA)
I came to Congress because my life has been shaped by the systems that either work or fail, with real consequences. I was born legally blind and have never driven a car. Public transit has always been the backbone of my life. The need and fight for accessible transportation inspired me to run for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors, where I served on the board and later as president for four years.
For millions of Americans with disabilities, transit is not simply a service. It is the infrastructure that makes participation in society possible. Thirty-five years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transformed mobility for many riders. It required transit agencies operating fixed-route service to provide complementary paratransit, so that people with disabilities could access the same communities and destinations as everyone else.
Yet more than three decades later, the operational model of most paratransit systems has changed very little. Across the country, riders typically must schedule their trips at least one day in advance, the minimum standard required under ADA regulations. Roughly 18.6 million Americans live with travel-limiting disabilities and may rely on paratransit to reach work, healthcare, and daily activities. Demand will only increase as our nation’s population ages.
The good news—the technology to make paratransit more flexible already exists. Transit agencies across the country are deploying modern scheduling platforms that support real-time routing, dynamic trip matching, and integration with multiple mobility providers. These systems allow agencies to use vehicle capacity more efficiently, shift trips between providers during demand spikes, and give riders new options to book trips digitally or in real time.
The results are promising. Pilot programs across the country have demonstrated these benefits, with on–demand paratransit initiatives delivering shorter wait times and greater trip availability while helping agencies reduce per-trip costs and improve overall system efficiency.
I recently introduced the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act to help transit agencies modernize their systems and offer more flexible same-day paratransit service options. The bill strengthens incentives within the FTA’s formula programs. Capital investments related to deploying same-day paratransit would be eligible for a federal share of up to 90 percent, helping agencies acquire vehicles, software, and equipment needed to modernize service.
It also increases the federal share of operating assistance for agencies that choose to offer same-day service that meets federal standards, with an additional boost for those using in-house labor. The additional federal share for agencies using in-house paratransit operators is a deliberate choice. Modernization should center the paratransit workforce, not hollow it out.
Equally important, the legislation directs the FTA to establish minimum standards for paratransit software and technology used by federally funded systems, ensuring that accessibility, cybersecurity, data ownership, and interoperability between service providers are considered first and not after thoughts. These standards will allow public transit agencies to support real-time routing, digital booking, and new services or technologies over time. Most importantly, they help ensure that public investments in transit technology are future-ready.
My bill is intentionally designed to support innovation without imposing new mandates. It does not require transit agencies to offer same-day paratransit. Instead, my bill focuses on making it easier for agencies that want to explore these models to take the next step. It gives agencies the tools to pilot a same-day option, test new service models, and learn what works before scaling further.
As Congress prepares the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, we have an opportunity to align federal policy with the innovations already emerging across the transit industry. Transit agencies are experimenting with new tools and new operating models. Riders are asking for greater flexibility. Technology is making it possible to deliver better service while improving efficiency.