Juneau aging commission chair drafts call for paratransit fix or new contractor

Deborah Craig, chair of the Juneau Commission on Aging, will present problems with Capital AKcess at the commission's meeting at 3 pm Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Her draft testimony to the Assembly says "we are running out of time and service needs to improve immediately or transfer to a qualified contractor." It proposes a phone survey of riders, a risk assessment similar to an ADA audit or a return of the contract to the previous provider, Catholic Community Services, with a transition period.

Capital AKcess is the city's free ADA paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities. Ground Transportation Solutions took it over Nov. 1, 2025, city records show. The draft says startup requirements in the contract were not met, including door-to-door service, staff training and multiple phone lines with voicemail.

Craig writes that the city manager's office has begun reviewing complaint logs from both contractors.

Craig told the Assembly July 27 that she called Capital AKcess 25 times to arrange a Pioneer Home symphony outing last December and that the contract was renewed in June.