Audit Finds Issues With Transit Service for Disabled People

SEATTLE (AP) — A Washington county audit has found a transit service for disabled people inefficient and not doing enough to reach non-English speaking riders.

The Seattle Times reports that the audit released Tuesday determined that the number of rides by the King County Metro Transit's Access services has decreased since 2008 while costs have increased and trips have become longer.

Access uses $61 million, or 9 percent of the state's transit budget, to service about 900,000 passengers.

County Executive Dow Constantine says the higher costs are partially due to Access taking people to more locations for fares lower than the law requires.

Officials say they are looking into buying smaller and more efficient vans.

Auditors also recommend using taxis to handle more of the calls.