Provision of Alternative Services by Transit Agencies: The Intersection of Regulation and Program (2023) / Chapter Skim
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Chapter 9 - Summary of Survey and Profiles of Alternative Services
Chapter 9 - Summary of Survey and Profiles of Alternative Services
Pages 91-116
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From page 91... ...
A link to the survey was sent to the 24 transit agencies known to have an alternative service for their ADA paratransit riders. One transit agency requested a hard copy of the survey in Microsoft Word, which was provided.
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From page 92... ...
Survey results show considerable variation in the design and operation of the alternative services; there is no one common design. – Most of the programs began as pilots, particularly those using TNCs.
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From page 93... ...
Wait times." Despite these responses from the transit agencies, the providers we interviewed claimed they give their transit agency clients all the data required. One of the providers stated that it understands transit agencies need data on their paratransit riders and that data privacy regarding paratransit customers is less of an issue than data privacy issues for general-public microtransit riders.
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From page 94... ...
• Lessons learned. Surveyed transit agencies were asked for comments and words of wisdom that might be useful to other transit agencies considering alternative services.
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From page 95... ...
Location Transit Agency Alternative Service On-Demand Boston, MA Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Paratransit Pilot Broward County, FL Broward County Transit (BCT)
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From page 96... ...
1,000 service hours per week per TNC provider Service Span Service days/hours follow ADA paratransit days/hours. Service provided beyond ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile corridors Service Area of fixed routes Trip Booking Phone, web, app; some trips booked by calling the paratransit Call Center Trip Scheduling On demand Policies • Customers' fares as low as $2.00; trips subsidized up to $40/trip Fare Policy • Trip limits established for each customer based on the customer's use of ADA paratransit Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Providing equivalent service, including availability or information and reservation capability, to customers without smartphones • Ensuring passenger safety • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to some of the data required.
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From page 97... ...
All taxi companies in Broward County must Accessibility meet 3% WAV requirement. Service Span 24/7 Service Area All of Broward County Trip Booking Phone, web, app; customers can also hail a taxi or go to a taxi stand Trip Scheduling • On-demand Policies • Advance reservations available via the app or web-based booking • Trips subsidized up to $18.00 with no initial payment from customer; if Fare Policy trip costs more than $18, customer pays overage • Trip limits: 2 trips/day Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Concerns related to Title VI requirements • Limited number of local taxi companies in the area with wheelchair-accessible taxicabs • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring • Burdens of compliance with state or local agencies that regulate taxis, TNCs, and the services they provide • Additional challenge: "all ‘stand in the shoes' requirements for a directly contracted service"
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From page 98... ...
Eligibility ADA paratransit-eligible customers Providers Chicago taxi companies Wheelchair Accessibility Chicago has WAV requirements for its licensed taxis Service Span 24/7 Service Area Trips must begin in City of Chicago Trip Booking On demand Trip Scheduling Policies Phone; hail • Customers pay $3.00 per taxi trip worth up to $30 and are responsible for overage beyond $30 Fare Policy • Customers can purchase up to 60 rides/week with funds loaded onto a swipe card Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Uncertainty as to requirements for drivers or other alternative service employees to participate in drug and alcohol testing • Other concerns related to requirements for drug and alcohol testing Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested.
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From page 99... ...
Service provided beyond ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile Service Area corridors of fixed routes Trip Booking UZURV's call center during specified hours • 1 hour in advance for same-day service Trip Scheduling Policies • Up to 30 days for advance reservation service Fare Policy $1/mile with a $5 minimum fare Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Providing equivalent service, including availability of information and reservations capability to customers without smartphones • Providing equivalent service, including availability of information and reservations capability to customers without Internet access • Providing equivalent service, including fare collection for unbanked customers (e.g., provid ing a cash payment option) • Ensuring vehicles are safe • Ensuring passenger safety • Other concerns related to requirements for drug and alcohol testing beyond drug and alcohol testing for drivers and other of the provider's employees Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested.
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From page 100... ...
Total Wheelchair Trips 3,667 (NEMT provider) ; 24.1% of total trips Total Trips 15,169 On-Time Performance 94.05% within 15 minutes of scheduled time Total Subsidy (transit agency payment to alternative service $467,589 provider(s)
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From page 101... ...
Alternative Service Data 2019 Total Ambulatory Trips 40,336 Total Wheelchair Trips 3,600 (approx.) Total Trips 43,936 Total Subsidy (transit agency payment to alternative service $491,532 provider(s)
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From page 102... ...
• Concerns about the impact or perceived impact to employees represented by unions • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring • Concerns related to the effect alternative service providers would have on the reputation and goodwill of the transit agency • Additional challenge: inability to charge fare (currently) and access to accessible vehicles with TNCs Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to some of the data required.
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From page 103... ...
• On-demand Trip Scheduling Policies • Reservations no more than 23 hours, 59 minutes in advance • Passenger is responsible for the first $2, RTD subsidizes the next Fare Policy $12; passenger pays any amount over $14 • No more than four trips per day per customer Flagstaff, AZ: Mountain Line The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) , doing business as Mountain Line, is the public transit agency in ADA paratransit customers northern Arizona, operating fixed-route bus service (Mountain Line)
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From page 104... ...
This has become a very popular program, especially during COVID since trips are not shared rides. Would like to increase amount each month that is allowed on the card." Data Reporting Some alternative services providers are providing access to some of the data the transit agency requested: "We track customers' usage on the card, so number of trips and the average cost of a trip are known.
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From page 105... ...
Origins Program began in 1985 Eligibility All paratransit-eligible riders Providers One taxi company Wheelchair Accessibility Taxi company has 73 WAVs Service Span Service days/hours follow ADA paratransit Service provided beyond ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile Service Area corridors of fixed routes • Trip booking by phone during established reservation hours Trip Booking • Web: macsweb.ridemetro.org • On demand Trip Scheduling Policies • Reservations up to one day in advance • Customer pays $1.00 fare; transit agency subsidizes a flat $10 Fare Policy per trip; customer is responsible for any overage beyond $11 • No trip limits Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues When Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service "Note: These issues were concerns decades ago when the program was in its infancy and are no longer concerns. The MSP service is a viable, reliable transportation option for paratransit riders." • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Ensuring vehicles are safe • Ensuring passenger safety • Uncertainty as to requirements for drivers or other alternative service employees to participate in drug and alcohol testing • Other concerns related to requirements for drug and alcohol testing • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested.
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From page 106... ...
Wheelchair Accessibility One TNC has WAVs Service Span Service provided only during ADA paratransit service days and hours • Service provided within ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile corridors Service Area of fixed routes • Veterans provided trips to specific VA clinics Trip Booking Web, app, phone via RTC paratransit call center during operating hours • On demand, advance reservation, subscription Trip Scheduling Policies • If booking via call center and want WAV service, 15-minute advance notice necessary • Customers pay initial $3.00 per trip, transit agency subsidizes next $15 up to 10 miles; trips exceeding the subsidy or beyond 10 miles are Fare Policy customer's responsibility • Trip limits: established for each customer based on use of ADA paratransit service Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Providing equivalent service, including availability or information and reservations capability to customers without smartphones • Providing equivalent service, including availability or information and reservations capability to customers without Internet access • Ensuring vehicles are safe • Ensuring passenger safety • Uncertainty as to requirements for drivers or other alternative service employees to partici pate in drug and alcohol testing • Concerns related to Title VI requirements
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From page 107... ...
active: 2,789 ADA paratransit-eligible individuals, seniors, and military veterans. Alternative Service Name Taxi Voucher Program Began October 2011; transitioned to a regular program in Origins March 2015 Eligibility ADA paratransit-eligible customers, people aged 65+, veterans Providers 5 taxi companies Wheelchair One taxi company has 4 WAVs Accessibility Service Span Daily 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
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From page 108... ...
Alternative Service Name On-Demand E-Hail Pilot Origins Began as a pilot in 2017; continues as a pilot Eligibility Limited to 1,200 ADA paratransit-eligible customers CURB Mobility, LLC ARRO Inc., and LIMOSYS, LLC (apps that do trip Providers booking with taxi companies, TNCs, and car services) NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission requires 20% of for-hire Wheelchair Accessibility vehicles to be WAVs by 2022; 25% by 2023 Service Span 24/7 Service Area ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile corridors of fixed routes Trip Booking Phone, web, app Trip Scheduling Policies On demand • Customers pay $2.75 • Transit agency subsidizes trips on a per-trip basis according to a Fare Policy negotiated zone and fee structure • No trip limits • Agency is exploring trip caps and subsidy program
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From page 109... ...
Alternative Service Data 2019 Total Ambulatory Trips 1,000,004 Total Wheelchair Trips 62,846 (5.9%) Total Trips 1,062,850 Total Subsidy (transit agency payment to alternative service $ 39,449,370.72 provider(s)
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From page 110... ...
• Ensuring vehicles are safe • Ensuring passenger safety • Uncertainty as to need for more than one alternative service provider (to give user choice per the FTA's taxicab exemption) • Limited number of taxi companies in the area • Limited number of local taxi companies willing to participate in the program, e.g., reluctance due to high insurance coverage requirements or other transit agency requirements or issues • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency perfor mance monitoring ADA paratransit customers Pinellas County, FL: PSTA pre-COVID The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
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From page 111... ...
Service Area Service provided beyond strict ADA paratransit service area All trips must be booked via paratransit call center during establish Trip Booking reservation hours Trip Scheduling On demand Policies • Was $4.50 per trip (same as ADA paratransit) and PSTA paid full cost • No trip limits Fare Policy • Service was free from Sept 1, 2020, but changed to $3.50/trip on July 5, 2021 • ADA paratransit service $4.50/trip from July 5, 2021 Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Providing equivalent service, including fare collection for unbanked customers (e.g., a cash payment option)
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From page 112... ...
Service provided beyond ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile corridors Service Area of fixed routes • Customers contact TNCs directly via phone, web, or app Trip Booking • Trip booking by phone during established reservation hours • Schedule trips at least 2 hours in advance for same-day trips Trip Scheduling Policies • Up to 30 days for advance reservation trips • Customer pays minimum co-pay of $6.00; GRTC pays up to $15.00; if trip exceeds $21.00 ($6.00 + $15.00) , customer pays overage Fare Policy • Trip cost determined by mileage and may be subject to peak demand • No trip limits Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Providing equivalent service, including availability or information and reservations capability to customers without smartphones • Providing equivalent service, including availability or information and reservations capability to customers without Internet access • Ensuring vehicles are safe • Ensuring passenger safety • Concerns related to Title VI requirements • Limited number of TNCs willing to participate in the program, e.g., reluctance due to high insurance agency requirements, reporting challenges versus data privacy issues, or other transit agency requirements or issues • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring • Burdens of compliance with state or local agencies that regulate taxis, TNCs, and the services they provide Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested.
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From page 113... ...
Service provided beyond ADA paratransit service area of ¾-mile Service Area corridors of fixed routes Trip Booking Phone Trip Scheduling Policies On demand • Customer pays $2.00; VIA pays up to $9.00 of metered fare; if fare exceeds $11.00, customer pays overage Fare Policy • Trip limits: 20 trips per month per customer • Daily Limit: 250 trips/weekday; 150 trips/Saturday; 100 trips/Sunday Identify Barriers, Concerns, or Issues when Planning and Implementing the Alternative Service • Providing equivalent service, including service response times for customers requiring WAVs • Limited number of taxi companies in the area • Limited number of local taxi companies with WAVs • Limited number of local taxi companies willing to participate in the program, e.g., reluctance due to high insurance coverage requirements or other transit agency requirements or issues • Concerns about data collection for NTD reporting or transit agency performance monitoring Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested.
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From page 114... ...
and one local taxi company Wheelchair Taxi company has WAVs Accessibility Service Span Service days/hours follow ADA paratransit service days/hours ADA paratransit service area and limited number of agency Service Area designated destinations beyond ADA paratransit service area Trip Booking Phone, web, and app Eligible riders purchase a "code" for TNC use or use a debit Fare Policy card for taxi use, which provide $80 worth of transportation each month with a $40 agency subsidy Comments and Lessons Learned • It's important to spell out the data desired to evaluate the service and hold providers to their commitment to provide that data. • A formal agreement with providers is important to establish responsibilities and to protect the transit agency.
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From page 115... ...
Data Reporting All the alternative services providers are providing access to all the data the transit agency requested. Method for Estimating Cost Reductions from Mode Shift?
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