Paratransit same-day services (King County Metro Transit)

King County Metro (WA) meets the public transportation needs of residents with disabilities through its Access program. Unlike people who can use fixed-route transit and are afforded flexibility to take the next bus or train that works for them, Access users’ mobility is far more constrained since their rides must currently be booked a day in advance. To address these constraints and provide flexible, affordable, accessible, and reliable options for people with disabilities, King County Metro is planning to offer same day service (SDS) as a rider-choice pilot program. King County Metro is partnering with J-PAL North America to design an evaluation that will assess the extent to which this program improves the lives of Access users. The impact evaluation will measure the effect of SDS on reducing mobility barriers, such as the ability to access healthcare, jobs, education, and social and recreational opportunities, and improving users’ outcomes, such as health and quality of life.