Title
Staff Report for Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit the Measure B Paratransit Application for the Expenditure of Measure B Paratransit Funds in FY 2012-13 to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC)
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the FY 2012-13 Application for Measure B Paratransit funds. The application will provide for the following paratransit services:
Measure B Grant - $254,752
1. FLEX Shuttle Service - Two buses, operating on two interconnecting routes during peak hours (9 am - 4 pm, Monday - Friday). There is an annual registration fee of $20. Rides are free.
Minimum Services Level Grant - $75,000
1. Medical Transportation Service - Door to door transportation for medical appointments within Alameda County (8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday). Fee is $4.00 per 10 miles.
2. Interim service for people waiting to be approved by East Bay Paratransit.
Taxi Voucher Pilot Program
1. Expansion of Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC) Taxi Voucher Program into Central County. Through this program, eligible riders may purchase a $3 voucher which will subsidize up to $12 of taxi meter fare.
BACKGROUND
Funded with Measure B Paratransit funds, FLEX provides transportation to seniors and disabled adults. The grant allocation is based on a formula which takes into account projected sales tax revenue and the City’s population of disabled, 85 and over, 65-84 and SSI recipients. The FLEX Shuttle and Medical Transportation provides approximately 13,500 rides per year.
Analysis
In 2010-11, significant changes were made to the FLEX service in order to reduce program costs to a level sustainable within the grant allocation. The program is currently operating within the grant limits. In February staff conducted an annual rider survey and held two public workshops to plan for the 2012-13 grant application and service. Since the program was changed in 2010-11, the goal was to get input on the revamped service and identify any needed “tweaks”.
Even with the program changes, riders indicated that they are satisfied with the service. 86% of the survey respondents rated the service Good, 9% Fair, 1% Poor and 4% Don’t Know. During the public outreach process, riders made recommendations for minor route changes to better meet their needs. Those suggestions have been implemented.
In 2012-13, San Leandro will also participate in an Alameda CTC pilot program to expand the South County Taxi Voucher Program into Central County. Through this program, riders may purchase a $3 voucher which will subsidize up to $12 of taxi meter fare. CTC will fund the program and oversee the taxi vendor contract. Recreation and Human Services staff will sell the vouchers and conduct the daily administration. The one year pilot program does not provide additional resources for implementation. However, the service will fulfill a critical need for same day transportation.
Applicable General Plan Policies
• Transportation Safety - Section 4(E) - The General Plan strives to make the streets safer for persons with special needs, including seniors and persons with disabilities.
• Transportation - Interagency Coordination - Section 4(F) - The General Plan strives to manage congestion and create a more viable public transportation system through cooperative efforts with other jurisdictions.
Board/Commission Review and Actions
Senior Commission approved the plan on March 15, 2012.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
FY 2012-13 Program Planning Workshops:
February 22, 2012 Public Workshop
February 29, 2012 Public Workshop
February 2012 Survey
Annual survey of all registered riders to gather information to plan for next year's service.
Fiscal Impacts
Through the Measure B Grant application, the City has applied for the following grant funds:
• Measure B Paratransit Grant $ 254,752
• Minimum Service Level Grant $ 75,000
ATTACHMENTS
• Annual Application for Measure B Paratransit Grant Funds - FY 2012-13
PREPARED BY: Joann Oliver, Recreation and Human Services Manager, Recreation and Human Services Department