PDI to stop Call-a-Ride service

The impact of Japan Airlines’ looming pullout from Saipan is becoming more and more felt throughout the community.

Pacific Development Inc. has decided to discontinue providing transportation service to people with disabilities as part of its contingency plan for JAL’s withdrawal. Over 400 individuals will lose their means to get to work or go about their daily activities as a result of PDI’s decision.

“[I]t would be very challenging to continue the operation of the [Saipan] Call-a-Ride program after Sept. 30, 2005 due to the [pullout] of Japan Airlines from the CNMI. But the pullout of JAL has impacted PDI tremendously and is unable to continue to operate this service,” PDI general manager Yoichi Matsumura said in a letter to the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Alarmed by PDI’s plan, people with disabilities sought the governor’s help yesterday.

Members of the CNMI Center for Independent Living and related agencies maintained that the Call-a-Ride program had enabled more people with disabilities to become independent.

“It provides transportation to work and an opportunity to attend college, conferences, workshops, meetings, and recreational activities. It also provides transportation for dental and medical appointments and for dialysis treatment, and it enables us to fulfill family obligations,” they said.

The persons with disabilities urged the governor to fund the operation of the program after PDI’s contract ends. They asked the governor to provide money for vehicle maintenance and salaries for two drivers, at least until a better arrangement is reached with another private entity to provide the transportation service.

“We can’t go one day without this service. We’re depending too much on it for work and our daily activities. We’ve been neglected for too long. We need to be able to live independently,” said CIL director Lydia Igitol.

The group said that a new agency or company may need to operate the program, as PDI no longer seemed interested in running it even with subsidy. “They just don’t want to have anything to do with the program,” said acting CDD executive director Antonio Chong.

The group made other requests such as the purchase of additional vans; formation of a committee that will establish policies for the program and secure adequate funding; expansion of the program’s operation hours; enforcement of safety rules; and fare reduction.

PDI currently operates two vans, which provide transportation for person with disabilities until 8pm. Call-a-Ride passengers are charged $2 per stop.

The persons with disabilities said they would like one or two more vans that will allow them to attend cultural functions and evening recreational activities. They also want to pay only 20 percent of the program cost and have the remaining 80 percent subsidized by the government.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta said he would discuss the issue with PDI. He also offered to look into the possibility of securing federal grants for the program and to help in organizing the committee recommended by the people with disabilities.

Furthermore, he sent one of the two existing Call-a-Ride vans to the auto shop for repair and maintenance yesterday afternoon.