Overview of Plan Outline and Strategies and Actions Human Service Transportation Coordinated Plan Task Force Meeting January 11, 2007

2 Plan Outline I.Introduction II.Assessment of needs and identification of service gaps Inventory of available services Need for a Customer Focus Need for Better Information Lack of Reliability Need for Additional Funding and Transportation Choices III.Strategies and Actions IV.Prioritization V.Implementation VI.Closing

3 Revised Timeline (2007) March Task Force Presents Draft Coordinated Plan to the TPB Plan is released for 30-day public comment period April TPB Approves Coordinated Plan and Reviews Framework for Competitive Selection Process May TPB Approves Framework for Competitive Selection Process May/June Solicitation for Projects and Competitive Selection Process July/September: TPB Approves Selection for Inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

4 Plan “Geographies” TPB Members (Plan) Washington DC-MD-VA Urbanized Area ($$$)

5 Strategy 1:Tailor transportation services to better respond to needs Action A: Accessible Taxi Service Subsidy Pilot Pilot Program to provide the minimum financial subsidies and incentives necessary to encourage taxi companies to provide and maintain a sufficient supply of accessible service Local governments could lease lift-equipped vans to taxi companies to operate in regular taxi service, at full fare and with immediate dispatching Type of Project: 5310, New Freedom; Capital Approximate Cost: $200,000 to $500,000 Total Source of Match:Local jurisdictions

6 Strategy 1:Tailor transportation services to better respond to needs Action B: Sensitivity Training for Transportation Providers Regional sensitivity trainings could be offered to bus drivers, Metro station managers, paratransit drivers, taxicab drivers, and other front-line transportation employees on general guidelines for serving customers with disabilities and older adults Type of Project:New Freedom, Operating Approximate Cost:$10,000 to $100,000 Total ($5,000 to $50,000 Federal / $5,000 to $50,000 local) Source of Match: WMATA, local transit agencies, social service and non-profit groups, and taxicab regulators

7 Strategy 1:Tailor transportation services to better respond to needs Action C: Door-through-Door Service Door-through-door service could be provided via specially trained taxicab providers, or personal care attendants on MetroAccess Limit the program through eligibility or a cap on the number of trips Type of Project:New Freedom, Operating Approximate Cost:$200,000 to $500,000 total ($100,000 to $250,000 Federal / $100,000 to $250,000 local) Source of Match: Human service agencies, Adult Day Care centers, other specialized non-profit programs and organizations, Federal non- DOT money?

8 Strategy 2: Provide improved, user- friendly information to customers Action A: Compile and distribute a tailored user- friendly publication about transportation services and options available for low-income commuters The publication would be tailored to a specific geographic area with a high concentration of low- income commuters (i.e. Langley Park, Route 1 in VA, Anacostia) Good example: Montgomery County’s publication Type of Project:JARC, Operating Approximate Cost:$100,000 to $300,000 total Source of Match: Local transit agencies, local employment- related agencies or Federal programs aimed at providing job training

9 Strategy 3: Develop services that augment existing paratransit and fixed-route service Action A: Expand the Guaranteed Ride Home program for low-income workers The program would be extended to offer rides up to eight times per year for low- income workers facing an urgent medical or non-medical circumstance, or for up to five days of job training. Participants would show proof of receiving TANF funds, and employer statement of job training. Type of Project:JARC; Operating Approximate Cost:$250,000 - $500,000 total Source(s) of Match:Federal TANF, County social service programs Department of Labor, Department of Education

10 Strategy 3: Develop services that augment existing paratransit and fixed-route service Action B: Establish a Same-Day, Contingency Service Pilot The program would provide MetroAccess users with a reliable ride, up to four times per year, in the event of an urgent medical trip or a late ride. Participants could use the Contingency Service for a same-day emergency if there is no same-day service available, or to take the place of a late ride (which would have to be verified). Participants would not pay if substituting for a late ride. For a same-day ride, participants would pay a fare between $5-7. Type of Project:New Freedom; Operating Approximate Cost:$500, ,000,000 total Source(s) of Match: County transportation programs Medicaid, WMATA

11 Strategy 4: Develop and implement new programs to provide additional transportation choices Action A: Establish a low-interest loan fund for low-income workers to purchase cars Program would be limited to those workers who meet an income requirement, whose jobs or homes are inaccessible by transit. The program would focus on suburban and exurban commuters. Loans would be repaid to the fund, replenishing it for additional use and keeping it self-sustaining. Type of Project:JARC; Operating Approximate Cost:$250, ,000 total Source(s) of Match:TANF funds, private funds

12 Strategy 4: Develop and implement new programs to provide additional transportation choices Action B: Enhance weekend and evening bus service to employment sites Employer-based funding pools could be developed to provide evening and weekend bus service to better serve shift workers and reverse commuters. The program would focus on large suburban employment centers, such as around the Dulles corridor, and could support shuttles or extend evening and weekend bus service from existing providers. Type of Project:5310, JARC; Operating Approximate Cost:$100, ,000 total Source(s) of Match:Private funds

13 Strategy 4: Develop and implement new programs to provide additional transportation choices Action C: Accessible Taxi Service Subsidy Pilot (See write-up under strategy 1)

14 Strategy 4: Develop and implement new programs to provide additional transportation choices Action D: Provide a range of travel training to older adults and persons with disabilities A travel training curriculum for bus and rail could be developed for all types of disabilities and offered region-wide. The curriculum would be coordinated with WMATA, local transit agencies and human service agencies to expand training services to ensure they are widely available. Type of Project:New Freedom; Operating Approximate Cost:$20,000 to $200,000 total Source(s) of Match:WMATA, local transit agencies human service agencies

15 Discussion Questions: Does the strategy capture the unmet needs identified by the task force? Which of the actions do you think will have the biggest impact on meeting the unmet needs? How about the biggest obstacles? Do you know of current examples of these actions/projects being done in the region? Are there additional ideas that would significantly reduce service gaps that should be included?