Innovative Fare Programs for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Scott Wisner Customer Service...
-
Upload
spencer-ball -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Innovative Fare Programs for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Scott Wisner Customer Service...
Innovative Fare Programs for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Scott WisnerCustomer Service Manager
Background
• Rising paratransit expenses and limited funding sources were the impetus behind new programs
• Many elderly or disabled customers can use fixed route or alternative transportation options
• Alternatives are cheaper and in many cases better options
• Political support to implement new ideas using technology to drive interest
• Implemented in-person ADA assessment process which provided methodology to reduce costs
Platinum Pass Program
• Must be ADA certified• Must reside in city that has agreed to
participate – 12 out of 16 cities currently participate
• Free fixed route trips region wide– Local bus and Rail, Link, Express and Rapid
• Valley Metro subsidizes transportation expenses
Pass Conditions
• Photo ID and fare card• Proximity card assigned to individual • Cards are valid for 2 years• Available to customer and PCA
Statistics
Fiscal Year
Passes Distributed Trips Cost
Cost Per Trip
Avg DAR Cost Per
Trip
Estimated Savings Per
TripPotential
Overall SavingsFY 2012 548 12,455 8,554$ 0.69$ 36.25$ 35.56$ 442,940$ FY 2013 425 27,598 18,224$ 0.66$ 36.25$ 35.59$ 982,204$
- FY '12 Avg DAR cost is (NET) operating cost per TRP for the system - All pass users are ADA certified - Assumes if all trips were taken using DAR, they would all be ADA trips
Electronic Fare Payment Program
• Valuable transportation alternative for seniors and persons with disabilities– Customers take private taxi rides to go to
appointments, run errands, or to visit friends and family
• Less expensive alternative than Dial-a-Ride– $10 to $20 per trip
• Program participation has increased each of the past five years
Program Options• Coupon for Cab Program
– Customer pays a portion of the cab fare; participating cities subsidize the remainder• 25%/75% split
– Customers must use taxi companies that accept coupons or vouchers for payment
• Medical Voucher Program– Life sustaining medical treatment
• Dialysis • Chemotherapy
– Trips must originate from home to treatment center– Participating cities pay 100% of transportation costs
Current Administrative Process
• Contractor staff mails coupons and vouchers to customers on a monthly basis
• Coupons and vouchers are used to pay the actual cab fare for each trip (including gratuity)
• Redeemed coupons and vouchers are counted by hand and submitted for reimbursement by participating taxi providers
• Contractor provides usage reports and invoices to Valley Metro on a monthly basis
• Valley Metro reimburses Contractor for program administration and transportation costs on a monthly basis
• Valley Metro reconciles program costs with participating cities annually
Current Agreement with Contractor Expires June 30
• November—Issued Request for Proposal to select new contractor to administer program
• Required proposing firms to provide electronic fare payment system to pay cab fares and track program usage
• Received one proposal—Creative Software Solutions
• Proposal met all criteria in RFP
Electronic Fare Payment System
• Replaces coupons and vouchers• Customers provided with stored value card that can be
reloaded quickly and securely:– Internet– Phone– Mail
• Customer swipes card in cab at beginning and end of trip
• Receipt provides fare paid and available card balance• All trip and fare information available in real time
Cost and Budget
• Lower overall solution than current administrative expenses
• Contractor is required to establish agreements with private taxi providers
• Program funded by participating cities and grant funds