Congresswoman Simon Introduces Legislation to Support More Flexible and Modernized Transit Service for Riders with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) announced her new legislation, the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act. This legislation would incentivize the use of same-day paratransit technology at public transit agencies to allow for more flexible, on-demand paratransit services for individuals with disabilities and other paratransit users who cannot use fixed-route public transit.

As the first congenitally blind Member to serve in Congress and former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) President, Congresswoman Simon is uniquely focused on the nexus of transportation and accessibility. This bill is the third in a series of legislation that the Congresswoman has introduced on transportation policy centered on the pillars of safety,accessibility, and affordability.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,eligible paratransit riders must book trips at least 24 hours in advance with transit agencies, a requirement rooted in the technological limitations of the early nineties. For riders with disabilities, this outdated, inflexible rule means missed medical appointments, lost job opportunities, and barriers to participating fully in civic and community life. Congresswoman Simon's Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Actsupports paratransit modernization through stronger federal incentives and the establishment of same-day paratransit technology standards.

"Every time a rider with a disability has to plan their life around a 24-hour booking window just to catch a ride, we're imposing a disability time tax. Individuals who may rely on paratransit services have to predict their needs a day in advance or go without, which is simply unrealistic for the pace of modern life and equal access to opportunities," said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. "My Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Actsupports the adoption of same-day paratransit services at public transit agencies across the country to bring our transit system into the 21st century for riders with disabilities."

Specifically, this bill increases the federal cost share of capital and operating expenses, while prioritizing in-house paratransit operator use, for same-day paratransit projects.

In addition, the bill would require the Federal Transit Administration to establish minimum technology standards for same-day paratransit technologies. These standards would be made in direct consultation with riders with disabilities, transit labor organizations, and state and local agencies, ensuring community input, consumer data protections, and labor standards can be built in from the start.

As seniors and people with disabilities now represent a growing share of transit-dependent riders, demand for paratransit is set to surge as the U.S. population ages. Incentivizing same-day paratransit now means lower long-term costs for agencies and a better quality of life for the riders who depend on this system most.

The final bill text can be found hereand a one-pager of the bill can be found here.

The legislation is endorsed by: The American Council of the Blind, Transform, Transbay Coalition, and Seamless Bay Area.

"Even today, in 2026, many paratransit riders are still required to schedule trips at least 24 hours in advance, limiting their ability to live and work with flexibility. This bill moves us closer to a transportation system that reflects how people actually live-giving people with disabilities more freedom and independence," said Scott Thornhill, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind.

"This bill represents major progress for people with disabilities who depend on paratransit, which has lagged far behind the mobility options that able-bodied people now enjoy. Paratransit for people with disabilities shouldn't be stuck in the 90s, when the ADA. Seamless Bay Area supports equitable and accessible transportation for all and is happy to see the Congresswoman advance this bill," said Adina Levin, Executive Director of Seamless Bay Area.

"Paratransit is a vital service connecting people with disabilities to healthcare, jobs, and education, but the logistics are often cumbersome and slow. Representative Simon's Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act,which incentivizes transit providers to allow riders to get rides when they need them, is a welcome update that will support paratransit with additional federal funding and increase equity in the program. Transform strongly supports this bill because everyone deserves fast, reliable transit to get where they need to go," said Abibat Rahman-Davies, Transportation Policy Manager Transform.

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