1. Dial-A-Ride Service Report to the Community
April 2018

2. 2017 Service Evaluation
Balancing promise of “moving the people who need it
most” in light of funding uncertainties
GOAL: create service that is sustainable and resilient

3. Expanded countywide in 2002 with levy
Service began mid-90s
Expanded countywide in 2002 with levy
2017 = 15th year of sales tax support
Currently providing over 100,000 trips/year
History of PARTA Dial-A-Ride (DART) Service

4. Dial-A-Ride Transit that “is not a fixed route system”
Dial-A-Ride, Shared-Ride, DART
Is not ADA complementary paratransit
Is not “taxi service”

5. Dial-A-Ride (DART) Characteristics
Operates in defined areas during advertised hours
Riders register for service; request trip in advance
Contracts with agencies; subscription service
Shared-ride service with pickup/drop-off windows

6. DART has been losing revenue and sales tax dollars
Funding Trends
DART has been losing revenue and sales tax dollars   

7. Service Contracts,

8. No Increase in DART Fares Since 1998
Our fares and revenues have not been able to keep up with inflation.
1998 Costs
Today’s Costs
Value of a Dollar $2
$3.06  $4
$6.11
U.S. Postage Stamp
$0.32 cents
$0.50 cents
Dozen Eggs
$1.09
$1.82
Gallon of Gas
$1.06
$2.62
Movie Ticket
$4.69
$8.97

9. Proposed DART Redesign
Reallocating hours by flattening service
Add Saturday service
Adjust fares for inflation
Transition able individuals to fixed route service

10. Proposed Service Changes
Reallocating Day/Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Northeast: Monday and Wednesday
Southeast: Tuesday and Thursday
West: Monday thru Saturday
Utilization of Fixed Route System
Trips that have easy access to fixed route bus service and have pickup and drop off locations within .3 miles of a fixed route will no longer be eligible for DART service. 
Trips will still be eligible for DART if pickup or drop off locations are outside the 0.3-mile subject to service availability.
Increase in DART Fares
Current Proposed
General Public: $4 $6
Reduced Fare: $2 $3
Medicaid (Contract JFS or DD Board) Free
Ticket Book General Public (10 Ride) $30 $54
Ticket Book Reduced Fare (10 Ride) $15 $30
Proposed Service Changes

11. Medicaid Services
Free Transportation Options Available to Medicaid Eligible DART Clients who contract directly with:
NET (Portage County JFS): door-to-door transportation for doctor, dental, hearing and counseling appointments (in and out of county)
DD Transportation (Portage County DD Board)
Coleman Day Services (PASSPORT)

12. Utilization of Fixed Route System
Trips that have easy access to fixed route and have pickup and drop off locations within .3 miles of a fixed route will NOT have access to DART.
Trips will still be eligible for DART if pickup or drop off locations are outside the 0.3-mile subject to service availability.

13. Kent DART Exclusion Zone

14. Kent & Ravenna DART Exclusion Zone

15. Ravenna DART Exclusion Zone

16. PARTA Fixed Route is Better Than Ever!
Less waiting, service running on average every minutes at regular intervals.
Low cost: $1 general fare or $2 all-day (.50 disabled and seniors)
SPOT PARTA allows passengers to track buses anytime/anywhere
Kent Central Gateway and UH Hospital provide central transfer point and free transfers.
Service available to Cleveland/Akron.
Easier to read schedules and simplified route numbers
New cleaner CNG buses being launched summer 2018.

17. No Changes to Fixed Route
All Fixed Routes are Remaining the Same
Fixed Routes Costs are Remaining the Same (Passes are still available)
Fixed Route Fares
Trip
Cost
General Public
Single Ride
$1.00
Reduced Fare
$0.50
ADA Complimentary Paratransit
$2.00
Akron Express
Cleveland Express
$5.00

18. Travel Training is Here to Help!
Are you new to PARTA’s fixed route system?
Travel Training can teach you to…
Read schedules and plan and book a trip
Locate and transfer to other buses
Pay fares and purchase ticket books
Learn PARTA’s SPOT system to locate buses in real time
Group classes and one-on-one session are available!
Free 10-ride fixed route pass for first time completion!
Contact Carlell Howard x 119;

19. Travel Training Classes Scheduled…
May 2, Kent Free Library, 2 p.m.
May 8, Reed Memorial Library,10 a.m.,  Carlin Room
May 14, Kent Free Library, 2 p.m.
May 24, Reed Memorial Library, 3 p.m.,  Jenkins Room
May 31, Kent Free Library, 2 p.m.
June 6, Reed Memorial Library, 2 p.m., Carlin Room
June 15, Kent Free Library, 2 p.m.
June 19, Reed Memorial Library, 2 p.m., Jenkins Room
June 29, Reed Memorial Library, 10 a.m., Jenkins Room

20. Major Components Fewer buses during day
Introduce smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles
Reallocating day/hours mirror fixed route service
Migrate able individuals to fixed route
Adjust fares for inflation since 1998

21. Outcomes DARTA service that is sustainable now and into the future.
Providing safe, affordable & viable transportation options to everyone in Portage County.
Better utilize available Fixed Route Services
DARTA service that is sustainable now and into the future.

22. Public Comments Comments should be directed to:
Mail: PARTA at 2000 Summit Road, Kent, OH Attention: Planning Department
Fax:
Online:
Public Hearings:
April 16, Reed Memorial Library :00 a.m.
April 16, Garrettsville Library :00 p.m.
April 17, Randolph Senior Center :00 a.m.
April 18, Kent Central Gateway (2nd Floor) 2:00 p.m.
April 19, Reed Memorial Library 5:00 p.m.
April 20, Streetsboro Library :00 p.m.
Public Comments

23. Questions?
Thank you!