1. Georgia Transit Association RHST Coordination Session GDOT Update to the Statewide HST Coordination Plan Steve Kish, GDOT December 2, 2010 1

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3.  Focus is on better Coordination of Rural Public and Human Service Transportation (RHST) ◦ Transportation for older adults, persons with disabilities and persons with low income, including:  Agency-funded transportation, such as transportation to/from program activities  Rural public transit  Non-emergency medical transportation  Locally Appropriate and Feasible Structures  Work where possible within Existing Structures  RHST Program Support is Based on a Wide Range of Funding Programs 3

4. 4  Stakeholder Involvement ◦ Top Down – Key State Agencies GDOT, DHS and DCH ◦ Bottoms Up Approach – regional workshops  Needs Assessment ◦ RHST Workshops in all 12 regional commission areas ◦ Assess RHST coordination within the Regions  Alternatives Analysis ◦ RHST Workshops in all 12 regional commission areas ◦ Discuss Potential Regional HST Coordination Approaches  Preferred Alternative ◦ Work with Regions on regionally tailored RHST plans ◦ Work with State Agencies on statewide RHST coordination efforts  reporting, payment, inspections, driver qualifications and training  Pilot Projects ◦ Three approaches to assist Regions in moving RHST coordination plans forward

5.  Administrative – Improved Efficiencies ◦ Service Bundling ◦ Inter-Agency Cooperation ◦ Regional Approach ◦ Coordinated Reporting Systems and Requirements  Operational – Improved Service Quality ◦ Vehicles – Purchase, Insurance, Maintenance ◦ Insurance ◦ Service Delivery – IT & Scheduling Software ◦ Utilization  Funding – Making the Dollars Stretch ◦ Bundling ◦ Service Payment ◦ Ensure wise and efficient use of public funding ◦ Leverage new funding to attract additional federal funds ◦ Sustainable Sources 5

6. 6 Why Change Now?  Growing Demand for HST ◦ Aging population, people with disabilities↑ ◦ New populations eligible for service: 500,000 new Medicaid by 2019 Growing transit- dependent populations More transportation- intensive services Poor economic conditions, budget cuts, and reduced staffing Opportune time to review GA’s HST network 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 125% TotalUnder 1818-2425-4445-6465+ Age Group Projected Change for AgeGroups between2010 and2030 in Georgia

7. 7 Why Change Now?  Demographic Changes ◦ Aging in place, community- based services  Economic Challenges ◦ Individual and household budgets constrained  Systemic Challenges ◦ Budget constraints, staff reductions Growing transit- dependent populations More transportation- intensive services Poor economic conditions, budget cuts, and reduced staffing Opportune time to review GA’s HST network

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9. 9 PhaseFor the CustomerFor the Service Provider Phase 1  Creation & dissemination of centralized directory  One-stop access for information  Facilitation of sharing policies and practices (e.g., grant applications, vehicle specifications, training curriculum) Phase 2  Referrals and rudimentary trip planning  Local user-side travel vouchers or taxi subsidy programs  Fare and/or mileage reimbursement  Local sharing of support staff and resources  Joint purchasing of fuel, maintenance, insurance, vehicles, software/hardware, etc.  Centralization of resources (e.g., back-up drivers, volunteer drivers, escorts, bus buddies)  Co-sponsorship of local operations Phase 3  Enhanced trip planning  One-stop for requesting trips  Trip boards for unsponsored trips  Multiple agency trips on same vehicle  Seat filling / coordinating schedules  Purchasing service from a “common” provider  Consolidation of call center functions  Consolidation of operations Coordination Elements

10.  Tailored Approaches, not a one size fits all  Funding Program Reporting Requirements  Lack of Consistent Fee Structure  Vehicles - purchase, insurance, maintenance  Vehicle Utilization  Administrative  Scheduling and Reporting Software 10

11.  Collaborative Partnership between DOT, DHS, DCH and Others as Appropriate  Merge HST with Rural Public Transit Using “bundled” Funds as Program Revenue  Financial Support and Partnership from Cities and Counties  Passenger Fares Provide Some Revenues  Centralized Reporting - Regulations  Potential Mobility Management Approach  Identified Champion 11

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13. Mobility Manager(s) Purchases services from provider(s) Schedules and dispatches trips using software (and ‘know how’) to determine most cost-effective and convenient way to provide transportation Pays providers using the correct mix of funding sources Monitors service quality Responsible for reporting Provider 13 Role of the Mobility Manager DOT- 5311 Funds DHS - 5310 Funds DHS- Other Human Service Funds DCH- Medicaid Funds Regional Coordinating Council

14. Mobility Manager(s) Purchases services from provider(s) Pays providers using the correct mix of funding sources Monitors service quality Responsible for reporting Provider 14 Role of the Mobility Manager DOT- 5311 Funds DHS - 5310 Funds DHS- Other Human Service Funds DCH- Medicaid Funds Regional Coordinating Council Schedule/dispatch trips Coordinate amongst selves to provide trips Provide trips Role of the Providers

15. Region Quick Facts 14 Counties Primarily rural Largest city is Albany 76,000 residents (US 2008 Census Region Accomplishments Achieved coordination on Multiple Fronts Administration and Oversight Funding Streams Service Delivery Developed capacity throughout region Strong network of operators Consolidated administrative and management resources and functions High level of professionalism Simplified customer system Especially for Medicaid 15 Case Study: Southwest Georgia

16. 16 Southwest Georgia Region Administration and Oversight SWGRC is Central Administrator and Service Broker DHS, DCH and (most) GDOT Funding is coordinated through SWGRC Applies for and manages funding Allocates payment of funds to transportation providers (based on trips) Ensures compliance with federal requirements Handles all reporting and oversight SWGRC manages a call center and brokerage for DCH (NET Medicaid) Assigns trips based on rider needs and trip origin and destination Simplified access for clients and customers Services are concentrated around five providers. Four providers are managed by the SWGRC Through contracts or direct oversight Ensure compliance

17. 17 Case Study: Coastal Georgia  10 Counties  Largest urbanized area outside of the metropolitan Atlanta region ◦ 638,254 population (2009)  35 cities  Military Installations  49% increase in the area’s population between now and 2030  Over 65 population ◦ 11% currently ◦ 19% by 2014

18.  Coastal Regional Commission ◦ Single recipient of transportation funds ◦ Coordinates regional (local) funding contributions ◦ Staffs Regional Transportation Commission ◦ Participation from all 10 counties  DHS and public transit funding coordinated  Results in regional rather than local system  Single call-in number for individuals needing rides ◦ Directed to appropriate provider based on geography 18

19.  10 Counties  2 counties — Coweta and Spalding — in Atlanta Regional Commission MPO boundaries ∘58% increase in population between now and 2030 ∘22% over 65 by 2014 Public Transit Operators (also DHS operators):  Heard Transit  Troup Transit  Coweta County Transit  Three Rivers Transit System ∘Butts ∘Lamar ∘Pike ∘Spalding ∘Upson DHS-Only Operator ∘Quality Trans ∘ Meriwether & Carroll 19 Three Rivers

20. 20 Three Rivers Transit Operations Coordination  RC is central administrator for the regional transit program (all providers). ∘Monitors all work done by the Third Party Operator (COATS) ∘Compliance with state and federal regulations  Regional transit system – Three Rivers Transit System  Participating counties have annual agreements with the RC, and pays their share of projected transportation funding  Working towards expanding regional transit system and services

21. Thank you!  Project Contact info: ◦ Steve Kish, GDOT, skish@dot.ga.govskish@dot.ga.gov ◦ Daniel Foth, CHA, dfoth@chacompanies.comdfoth@chacompanies.com