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County bus pass issue affects local agencies Plantation Forum Nov 6, 2006 By Erica Morris A Broward County Transit program that provides free bus passes to the homeless and under-privilege was almost put on hold by the transit system and Broward County Commission. "Our lawyers have told us we can not use tax-payers dollars to provide cheaper tickets unless all social service agencies in the county have the same opportunity," said Phyllis Derry, transit system marketing manager. "We have been told not to end the program, however, until all legal problems are solved and the Broward County Commission approves it." When the commission began discussing the problem, Mayor Ben Graber said he felt the program was worthwhile. The commission agreed and directed its staff to work with the county auditor and transportation and social services to come up with on agreeable solutions. Commissioner Sue Gunzburger also agreed that the staff should continue the policy of issuing bus passes to the homeless for additional months, but should be sure to include how to equally distribute the passes. "We are pleased with the decision. Our clients' ability to access transportation is key to their being able to get to work, to school or in a job search. All of these things contribute to their being able to get back on their feet," said Tom Louden of the Salvation Army of Broward County, according to the meeting transcript. The Coalition to End Homelessness distributes the passes agencies such as the Salvation Army, which had been issuing a large numbers of them. For Plantation, the free bus passes had been a positive tool for those looking for work. "I believe that depending in what the qualification would be, if people are willing to go to work and make a living but have trouble paying for transportation, it would be beneficial for the county to provide them transportation," said Frank DeCelles, director of Public Works in Plantation. Citizens across the county have been handling the issue of cheaper transportation in several different ways. Jan Anastasato, director of 9Muses in Laurderhill, said cheap pays full price for passes and distributes them two at a time. She gives them to her mental health clients who come in for training and counseling, and who require help getting to and from the facility on West Oakland Park Boulevard. "To help riders, we honor whatever discounted passes or tickets the [county] transit system provides us." Pam Donovan, public information officer of North Lauderdale said about the city-run transportation system. "We release our two mini-buses from the county for a dollar a year and charge our residents within the city 25 cents a ride." Irv Kiffin, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Lauderhill, said his department also operate a mini-bus system within the city limits. In Sunrise, residents who need cost bus transportation to and from the Daniel D. Cantor Senior Center can get a pin number from the county's transit system. That number entitles them to reduced costs to and from the center and other areas, said Delores Williams, a representative at the center. Some Broward cities do not offer alternatives, however. "Tamarac does not give out passes to those who need them," said Rose Cure, supervisor of social services for the city. "We have had very few that requested it, and we usually refer them to Family Success in Coral Spring, as they give out free passes to the homeless." Currently, the decision to either keep or end the free pass giveaway is still to be made by the Broward County Commission. "I don't know for sure [how the program got started]," said Berry of Broward County Transit. "But I'm guessing someone who saw the need to help the homeless and others with problems in the community, sold someone here on the idea six or seven years ago. Unfortunately, neither our lawyers nor the County Commission was told." Broward County Transit offers several discounts to bus riders. The Ride and Save program allows employers to cover all or part of the cost of their employees' bus passes, or employees to purchase their passes with a pre-tax paycheck deduction. Also, college students, seniors, the disabled and residents on Medicare receive discounts on bus passes. Call Broward County Transit at 954-357-8400, or visit www.broward.\org/bct. 
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