(1) Effective January 1, 2001, in addition to any other authority granted under this chapter, a newly formed public transportation benefit area, or an existing public transportation benefit area that has not yet successfully submitted an authorizing proposition to the voters under RCW 82.14.045, may purchase, acquire, maintain, operate, or lease transportation services, equipment, and facilities for public transportation limited only to persons with special needs by any method or combination of methods provided by the area authority.

(2) As used in this section, "persons with special needs" means those persons, including their personal attendants, who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation.

(3) The public transportation benefit area may fix, regulate, and control fares and rates to be charged for these transportation services.