Palo Alto Link, a subsidized ridesharing service launched in 2023, will permanently cease operations on October 30 after the city council voted to terminate its contract with operator Via due to rising costs. The shutdown leaves vulnerable residents, including seniors, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities, facing a significant transportation gap as the city transitions to a modified voucher program.
The Impact of Palo Alto Link Ending on Vulnerable Commuters
The Palo Alto City Council introduced the ridesharing service as a replacement for the Palo Alto Shuttle, an old bus system suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially funded by a county grant that has since been depleted, the service required an annual city subsidy of approximately $700,000 to keep running. Ian Irwin, a resident in his seventies caring for a disabled daughter, told the council earlier this month that the service has been an essential lifeline for medical appointments, therapy sessions, and religious services that standard public transit routes do not adequately serve.
Alex Van Riesen, another local parent of a child with special needs, urged the council to reconsider the closure, stating that budget pressures do not justify cutting a program that directly supports individuals who rely on it most. According to Van Riesen, mainstream rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft lack reliability and often cannot accommodate wheelchair users. The city’s decision leaves these riders with fewer dependable options for independent travel.
Transition to the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association
To offset the loss of the ridesharing program, city councilmembers voted this summer to allocate an additional $100,000 to the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (TMA), bringing total municipal funding for the non-profit organization to $500,000. Justine Burt, executive director of the Palo Alto TMA, confirmed that her organization is prioritizing vulnerable populations as it expands its operations to absorb the new client base.
Unlike Palo Alto Link, which was open to all residents, employees, and visitors, the expanded TMA initiative will focus primarily on seniors, individuals with disabilities, and other targeted groups. As part of this expansion, the TMA is providing $45,000 to Avenidas, a local non-profit serving older adults, to hire a part-time driver and expand its door-to-door transportation capabilities. Registrants for the TMA services will gain direct access to Avenidas’ transport network.
Limitations of the New Transit Vouchers and Alternative Options
While the TMA partnership broadens support for older residents, gaps remain for younger people with disabilities who do not qualify for senior-focused programs. Burt noted that agencies such as SamTrans and VTA operate specialized paratransit services that can accommodate some of these displaced riders. The TMA plans to issue informational alerts to residents starting in early October to outline these alternative travel options before Palo Alto Link concludes its final trips.
Keep reading