County taxi no-shows now face suspensions

Riders of the Ozaukee County Shared Ride Taxi who aren’t ready, aren’t there when the taxi arrives or don’t have the required fare, will be suspended from the service for 21 days but not have to pay a penalty fee under a new policy approved last week by the county Public Works Committee.

The new policy aligns itself with Washington County’s policy and is the result of an agreement recently approved by the Ozaukee and Washington county boards allowing their shared-ride taxi programs to cross county lines without having to transfer from one county vehicle to another.

“It would be very difficult to track and administer” the different policies, Transit Supt. Joy Neilson-Loomis told the committee.

While the new policy is easier to administer, it would mean a loss of about $8,000 annual revenue, $2,400 of it from the county levy, she said.

Those losses will be covered, however, through federal grants related to the impacts of Covid-19, Neilson-Loomis said.  

Both counties allow for a 21-day suspension if a rider has three “no shows” in 60 days. Dialysis patients are exempt from the no-show policy in both counties. 

In Ozaukee County, the penalty for being a no show has been $5 for an adult and $2.50 for a senior or disabled person.

The fee had to be paid before a new ride could be scheduled. 

In Washington County no-show riders have not been required to pay a fee, but face a 21-day suspension, which can be waived if they pay $10 to be reinstated. There is no discounted rate.

Riders are contacted after two no-shows, and the policy is explained. Suspension is given after the third no-show.

“The difference in the no-show policies may create confusion during the cross-county pilot program,” Neilson-Loomis wrote in a memo to the committee. “For example, a rider who no-showed in Ozaukee County may not be able to ride for not paying a fee, but is still eligible for Washington County rides.”

In 2019, there were 2,912 no shows in Ozaukee County, accounting for 2.7% of ridership, she said. No shows accounted for 2.5% of rides in Washington County.

“The fee does not deter riders from no shows and creates extra work for dispatch and management staff,” Neilson-Loomis said.