Title
Approve the City of Alameda’s Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2018/2019. Presentation by Victoria Williams, Paratransit Coordinator, Mastick Senior Center
Body
Social Service Human Relations Board
February 22, 2018
Approve the City of Alameda Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for Fiscal Year 2018/2019
Background
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires transit agencies to offer transportation services (paratransit) for persons certified as unable to use regular fixed route transit - AC Transit and BART. Paratransit services must be made available to eligible users within three quarters of a mile of the existing fixed transit routes during normal operating hours. The mandated paratransit service in Alameda is provided by East Bay Paratransit (EBP).
Measures B and BB provide a dedicated funding source for non-mandated, locally based transportation services for individuals with disabilities and seniors, which are not required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City of Alameda uses these funds to reduce transportation gaps experienced by individuals with disabilities and by seniors by providing discounted taxi services, the Alameda Loop Shuttle, group trips, scholarships for qualifying residents, one-time capital investments that spend down the reserve in a fiscally responsible way, customer service/outreach and staff to ensure that these programs are effectively managed. Information about the City of Alameda transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities is available at: www.AlamedaParatransit.com <http://www.AlamedaParatransit.com>. The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) requires each jurisdiction to annually submit a program plan application to receive the local Measure B/BB funds.
Discussion
The City of Alameda Transportation Program Plan for Seniors and People with Disabilities for fiscal year 2018-19 is recommended to total $975,109, which is more than the current year’s application of $608,000 due to the funding balance that needs to be expended. In January 2017, staff hired a paratransit coordinator - Victoria Williams - to ensure that this specialized transportation program for seniors and people with disabilities is implemented effectively and best meets customer needs.
Accomplishments
Accomplishments in the current fiscal year 2017-18 include:
• Alameda Loop Shuttle: As of October 30, Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer and other City dignitaries participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to launch an improved shuttle service. Two new accessible shuttle buses are now on the road to meet the growing transportation needs within Alameda. With two buses in service, riders need not wait more than 30 minutes for a shuttle at each designated shuttle stop. The service has been renamed the Alameda Loop Shuttle - formerly the Alameda Paratransit Shuttle - and both buses are equipped with bike racks and wheelchair lifts.
• Alameda Point Collaborative Bus Passes: As of May 2017, the City and AC Transit have partnered to provide free AC Transit bus passes to up to 167 seniors or people with disabilities residing in the Alameda Point Collaborative, which is a low-income, supportive housing community in Alameda Point.
• Subsidized Taxi Program: Due to an increase in outreach and a local taxi provider, the taxi program served 56 percent more riders in 2017 compared to 2016 with 1,795 riders in 2017 compared to 1,149 in 2016.
• Enhanced Outreach: With the hiring of the part-time paratransit coordinator in January 2017, the following outreach took place in 2017: delivered shuttle schedules to key destinations, presented at 8 transportation orientations to 69 community members, hung program banner for a total of 21 days, advertised services in the Alameda Sun and Mastick Senior Center newsletter one time per month, listed services in the quarterly City Recreation Guides, issued 5 press releases, tabled at 3 events and presented at 14 locations.
Service Usage Analysis
In general, more community members are using the subsidized taxi services and scholarship programs due to the new paratransit coordinator (Victoria Williams), a new taxi provider for the Medical Return Trip Improvement Program (MRTIP) service and the new pilot program of subsidized bus passes for the Alameda Point Collaborative. The service usage is shown below for each program that the City offers for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Alameda Loop Shuttle: The shuttle ridership averaged about 450 trips per month in both 2016 and 2017, which was an almost 6 percent increase from the average of 424 trips per month in 2015 (Figure 1). Before the increase in frequency from one time per hour to every 30 minutes, the cost for the shuttle service averaged $16 per trip, which is less than the $20 per trip maximum specified in the Alameda CTC’s Paratransit Program Implementation Guidelines. For the new 30-minute service, the cost for the shuttle service averaged $27 per trip, which is greater than the $20 per trip maximum. Alameda CTC recognizes that the City will need time to promote the more frequent service, and allows until the end of the second fiscal year of service to reach the $20 per trip maximum.
• MRTIP Taxi Subsidy Program: The MRTIP program provides transportation, via taxi, for individuals returning home from medical appointments within Alameda County. Participants call the City of Alameda’s transportation provider (First American/Welcome Transport Group) for a ride home after a medical appointment. Reservations must be made one day in advance. There were an average of 26 MRTIP taxi trips per month in 2017 compared to 6 MRTIP trips per month in 2016 (Figure 2).
• Premium Taxi Subsidy Program: The Premium Taxi Service provides a 70 percent discount for taxi rides with the City of Alameda’s transportation provider (First American/Welcome Transport Group). Same day rides are available and require at least 30 minute advanced scheduling. Ramp taxi rides must be reserved one day in advance. Transportation must take place within Alameda County. There were an average of 123 Premium taxi trips per month in 2017 compared to 89 Premium trips per month in 2016 (Figure 2).
• Group Trips: The group trip program subsidized almost 1,000 trips at $16 per trip in fiscal year 2017/2018, which is similar to what the program offered in fiscal year 2016/2017 at over 1,000 trips at $17 per trip subsidy.
• Alameda Point Collaborative Free Bus Passes: The program provides a free AC Transit bus pass, known as EasyPass, to up to 167 seniors or people with disabilities residing in the Alameda Point Collaborative. The highest usage occurred in August 2017 with 95 unique users. The average number of weekday boardings totaled 154 as of October 2017. For the first eight months of the pilot program, a total of 25,254 boardings occurred.
Figure 1: Alameda Loop Shuttle - Boardings per Month
Figure 2: Alameda Taxi Services - Passengers per Month
Proposed Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities
The next fiscal year’s plan for FY 2018-19 is being developed with input from key stakeholders and program participants via a survey (December 2017 - January 2018) and by outreach to four City Commissions: Transportation Commission (January 24), Recreation and Parks Commission (February 8), Commission on Disability Issues (February 14) and Social Service Human Relations Board (February 22). The section below describes the City’s proposed transportation program for seniors and people with disabilities and a service usage analysis.
Alameda Loop Shuttle ($175,000, a $3,000 increase from last year): In 2010, the Alameda Paratransit Shuttle service began with the goal of reducing motor vehicle trips by seniors and individuals with disabilities and reducing the dependence on the subsidized taxi services within the City. In October 2017, the shuttle was rebranded as the Alameda Loop Shuttle with increased frequency from every one hour to every 30 minutes. The shuttle service is open to the public yet the primary purpose of the shuttle is to serve individuals with disabilities and seniors by providing access to shopping destinations and medical facilities around the City. The drivers may assist riders with boarding and exiting the shuttle, securing wheelchairs and carrying up to five bags of groceries or a folding shopping cart. The shuttle operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Web site: www.AlamedaLoopShuttle.com <http://www.AlamedaLoopShuttle.com>
The shuttle routes are as follows:
• Tuesdays: West Loop (between Alameda Landing and downtown Alameda)
• Wednesdays: East Loop (between Bay Farm Island, downtown Alameda and Mastick Senior Center)
• Thursdays: Central Loop (between downtown Alameda, South Shore Center and Bridgeside Center/Nob Hill Market)
Recommended changes: Staff recommends using a smart phone app that allows riders to view the real-time location of the shuttle buses.
Medical Return Trip Improvement Program - MRTIP ($27,500, a $2,500 increase from last year): MRTIP is available only to Alameda residents who are East Bay Paratransit-certified riders. This taxi subsidy program provides a flexible option for returning home from medical appointments within Alameda County, thereby eliminating the uncertainty of coordinating return trips with East Bay Paratransit. Since it is difficult to predict when a medical appointment might end, MRTIP offers the option of calling the City of Alameda’s taxi provider for a trip home at the time participants need it. Participants may purchase up to ten MRTIP travel vouchers per month. MRTIP travel vouchers cost $2.50 each and cover the total cost of the ride. Sedans or lift-equipped vans are available. The service hours are Mondays to Fridays - 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Recommended changes: Staff will monitor the budget to ensure an adequate supply of MRTIP travel vouchers is available for the entire fiscal year. The proposed budget accommodates growth, which is expected now that the City has a paratransit coordinator and a consistent taxi service provider. Staff also recommends using a smart phone app that allows riders to view the real-time location of the applicable taxi vehicle.
Premium Taxi Service ($37,500, a $2,500 increase from last year): The Premium Taxi Service provides subsidized taxi trips for Alameda residents age 70 and older as well as for residents certified to use East Bay Paratransit. This service provides a 70 percent discount for taxi rides within Alameda County, and is available for all types of trips in Alameda County. It is especially valuable for travel on short notice. Premium Taxi Vouchers cost $1.50 each and have a $5 value. Multiple travel vouchers may be used per trip. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 30 travel vouchers per quarter (every three months). Sedans or lift-equipped vans are available. The service hours are Mondays to Fridays - 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Recommended changes: Staff will monitor the budget to ensure an adequate supply of Premium Taxi Service vouchers is available for the entire fiscal year. The proposed budget accommodates growth, which is expected now that the City has a paratransit coordinator and a consistent taxi service provider. Staff also recommends the purchase of a smart phone app that allows riders to view the real-time location of the applicable taxi vehicle.
Group Trips ($22,423, a $10,577 decrease from last year): The City’s program supports transportation for recreation programs run through Mastick Senior Center and Alameda Recreation and Park Department as follows:
• Mastick Monthly Trips: Provides financial assistance with transportation expenses for the Mastick Senior Center’s monthly trip program. Travel destinations include various Bay Area locations (i.e. San Francisco, Livermore, etc.).
• Leisure Club: Supports the driver and the shuttle bus maintenance for the Alameda Recreation and Park Department’s Leisure Club. The Leisure Club is a social recreation program offered for adults - 18 years or older - with special needs that meets twice a month.
• Crown Memorial Beach: Subsidizes the transportation expenses to/from Crown Memorial Beach for the Annual Nursing Home Picnic.
Recommended changes: The decrease in budget aligns with the current group trip schedule and the costs of maintaining the new shuttle vehicle. Also, the costs of the Leisure Club driver are now shown under “Management” below.
Scholarship Programs ($33,000, an $11,000 increase from last year): There are two different types of scholarships as described below:
• Bus Passes ($32,000): This program provides free monthly AC Transit passes to up to 167 Alameda Point Collaborative residents who are seniors or individuals with disabilities. Due to the success of this pilot program, staff recommends expanding it to Alameda Housing Authority properties that focus on low-income seniors or people with disabilities such as Anne B. Diament Plaza (65 units) and Jack Capon Villa (19 apartment homes), respectively.
• Matching Funds for Taxi Programs ($1,000): Matching funds are available to assist individuals with Premium Taxi Service and MRTIP expenses totaling $1,000. To be eligible, individuals must be Alameda residents, be certified for the Premium Taxi Service or MRTIP, and meet the very low-income requirements. A limit of $50 in matching funds per household is available each fiscal year as long as funding is available.
Recommended changes: The budget increase reflects the staff recommendation to expand the free bus passes to Alameda Housing Authority properties for seniors and people with disabilities for up to $12,000. Staff reduced the matching funds for taxi programs to better reflect the current demand.
Capital Investments ($590,000, an increase of $390,000): The capital program allows staff to spend down the funding balance in a fiscally responsible way with one-time investments that will not have an on-going, long-term impact on the program’s operational budget. Staff recommends that the capital budget contribute almost $500,000 towards the Cross Alameda Trail between Constitution Way and Main Street, which is a 1.5 mile section that includes both a walkway and a bikeway, curb ramp improvements, wayfinding signs, trees and public space plazas. This capital program also will cover the cost of purchasing and installing new bus benches to be placed at shuttle stops and AC Transit bus stops for about $60,000. In addition, the program will cover a flashing beacon by Mastick Senior Center on Santa Clara Avenue at Bay Street for about $40,000.
Customer Service and Outreach ($46,020, a decrease of $15,580): The outreach program includes printing shuttle schedules and flyers, advertisements, limited program incentives, banners, orientations at Mastick Senior Center, presentations with key stakeholders, providing taxi vouchers to consumers and producing informational mailings. As a service to East Bay Paratransit customers in the City of Alameda, staff also sells East Bay Paratransit tickets.
Recommended changes: The outreach budget is lower than the current fiscal year due to the campaign to promote the more frequent and improved branding of the shuttle service is occurring in the current fiscal year.
Program Management ($43,666, a decrease of $734): The management funds the part-time paratransit coordinator and the group trip driver as well as on-call experts. The program management includes providing program oversight, completing the Alameda CTC application and reporting requirements, reviewing program data and invoices, participating in Alameda CTC’s paratransit committees, renewing or establishing new contracts, conducting outreach meetings and other outreach activities, and coordinating with transportation providers and Mastick Senior Center staff.
Recommended changes: The lower budget amount better reflects actual spending levels from previous fiscal year efforts.
Financial Impact
The Transportation Services - Paratransit Program Application (Fund 287, Program 9161103), as outlined above, totals $975,109. The program will be funded from the following sources (all at projected amounts): Alameda CTC Measure B/BB (Funds 215.4 and 215.41) paratransit funding allocation ($357,109), fund balance ($700,000), EBP ticket sales ($6,000) and sales of travel vouchers ($12,000). The remaining unallocated funds ($100,000) will be placed in reserves for future years. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Municipal Code/Policy Document Cross Reference
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code. The City’s transportation program for seniors and people with disabilities supports the General Plan Objective 4.1.5 “Consider the transportation needs of the community, including those with limited mobility options”, and the General Plan Policy 4.1.5.b: “Continue to support the Paratransit program.”
Recommendation
Approve the City of Alameda transportation program plan for seniors and people with disabilities for fiscal year 2018/2019.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jackie Krause, Recreation Manager
Alameda Recreation and Parks Department
Gail Payne
Senior Transportation Coordinator
Victoria Williams
Paratransit Coordinator
Exhibit:
1. Presentation