City of Olathe Taxi Coupon Voucher Program

Creation of Program – Now and Then Seniors verbalized need for affordable, dependable and safe transportation system at Council Meeting in 1977 City Council has funded program annually. Current investment from city $296,000 from General Funds Provides and maintains wheelchair vehicles Staff to administer program.

Demographics of Olathe, Kansas Population 122,000 Median Income 61,000 7,352 out of 32,275 have incomes under $35, % of households Located 17 miles southwest of Kansas City Metro area Fastest growing city in Kansas years young Approximately 13% of citizens are frail elderly and disabled. 11% of citizens are disabled. No mass transit system in Olathe. Limited fixed route is available.

Overview of Olathe’s Program Three components of program Work Trips – To reach place of employment or job preparation classes Medical Trips – Doctors or picking up Rx General Transportation Trips (i.e. Grocery Shopping) Contract with local taxi company/ies to provide a door to door service. Reimburse them $12.00 for every voucher submitted for reimbursement. City provides wheelchair accessible vehicles to contractor/s

Participant Guidelines $2.50 for a one-way trip Rides within City of Olathe boundaries General transportation is limited to 20 one-way trips per month Number of Work and/or Medical trips are unlimited Eligibility Requirements Work – Must have income under 80% of Median Income for area. Seniors and Disabled – No income limits

Characteristics of Program Participants Mobility limited – Physical, illness or developmental disability Financial – Unable to purchase and/or maintain a dependable vehicle Self-Imposed Limitations – Choose not to own or drive vehicle (weather)

Benefits to Participants Obtain and maintain employment Reduces reliance on family or friends Improves quality of life Keeps citizens from being homebound Extension of living in an independent setting

Annual Usage

Number of Program Participants

Lessons Learned Recruitment of taxi companies Marketing of service Service employers not willing to adjust schedules of employees to adapt to transportation schedules. Limits citizens from working or reaching training and/or medical appointments outside city boundaries Not dependent on one source of funding Utilize technology to reduce manual processing of vouchers Coordination of services among transportation providers Keep process simple for participants Communication with developers and planners to ensure new construction addresses mobility issues for potential employees and customers Meet the needs of our changing population

Metro vs. Rural Program could be reciprocated in rural area. Utilize volunteers, not-for-profit agencies or churches as providers instead of taxi companies Be creative when it comes to funding options. Look beyond federal (JARC and New Freedom), state and local govt. funds Wheelchair vehicles could be purchased through federal grants Involve your employers in the planning process Coordination between cities and counties Sliding fee scale depending on income and trip destination

QUESTIONS CONTACT: KATHY RANKIN CITY OF OLATHE