Interim Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services ... · 4/21/2009 · Services Transportation...

Interim Coordinated Public Transit-Human ServicesTransportation Plan for Tompkins County, New York

10/16/2007Amended 4/21/2009

BackgroundBased on new requirements outlined in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, EfficientTransportation Equity Act (SAFETEA), the Ithaca-Tompkins CountyTransportation Council (I-TCTC) and the Tompkins County Department of SocialServices (DSS) is currently preparing a Coordinated Public Transit / HumanServices Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) for Tompkins County, NewYork.1 This Plan will focus primarily on the transportation needs of:

persons with disabilities older adults, and people with limited incomes

The plan will include:

A description of transportation services currently provided to these groups. An inventory of federally-funded programs which are eligible to be used for

transportation services. An assessment of needs or gaps in service that could be at least partially

filled using new funding sources. Priorities for coordination and new services.

Starting in FY 2007, projects funded through the Job Access Reverse Commute(JARC) (Section 5316), New Freedom (Section 5317) and the Formula Programfor Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) – arerequired to be derived from a locally developed Coordinated Plan.

Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities funds (Section 5310) to purchasevehicles and other equipment.

Job Access / Reverse Commute funds (JARC, Section 5316) to assist welfarerecipients and eligible low-income individuals in accessing jobs and otheremployment-related activities, as well as reverse commute projects transportingthose in urban areas to suburban employment opportunities.

New Freedom funds (Section 5317), a new program to support new publictransportation services and service alternatives beyond those required by theAmerican with Disabilities Act (ADA), assisting individuals with disabilities,including transportation to and from employment.

1 http://groups.google.com/group/tc-coordinated-plan

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The Coordinated Plan may be used to program other federal transit fundingthrough the I-TCTC’s planning process (Transportation Improvement Program(TIP)) and to identify other federal fund sources that can be used to supporttransportation services.

The Coordinated Plan provides a continuous improvement process fordeveloping a range of community transportation services that offers mobilitychoices to individuals while efficiently using public resources. The Federal UnitedWe Ride initiative seeks to remove obstacles to coordinating the use of 62federal programs that fund transportation services among 13 departments.2

There is a parallel effort at the New York State government level. TheCoordinated Plan process in Tompkins County is making a concerted effort toinventory the availability of these federal programs and to include the recipientsin the planning process.

Planning Process

According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), a coordinated plan“identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adultsand people with low incomes, provides strategies for meeting those local needsand prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation.”3 FTA hasalso suggested that the coordinated plan should seek to maximize coverage oftransportation services proposed for the three populations while minimizingservice duplication.

The Coordinated Plan process began with the designation of the I-TCTC as thelead agency in April 2007. The I-TCTC, as the Metropolitan PlanningOrganization for Tompkins County, has considerable experience developing localtransportation plans. Further, the Tompkins County DSS will provide publictransportation planning resources to this effort.

The Coordinated Plan is being developed under supervision of a SteeringCommittee of local government agencies, transportation operators, and humanservice agencies. The Coordinated Plan Steering Committee was formed in April

2Executive Order 13330 (2/24/04), Federal Interagency Coordinated Council on Access

and Mobility (CCAM), UnitedWeRide.gov.

3Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Proposed Circular: New Freedom

Program Guidance And Application Instructions, Proposed Circular: Job Access and Reverse CommuteProgram Guidance And Application Instructions and Proposed Circular: Elderly Individuals AndIndividuals With Disabilities Program Guidance And Application Instructions, September 6, 2006

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2007 and is meeting on a monthly (or as-needed) basis. Current membership ofthe Steering Committee includes:

Table A. Coordinated Plan Steering Committee Members (as of July 2007)Ithaca-Tompkins County TransportationCouncil

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit,Inc.

County Dept. of Social Services GADABOUT Transportation Services,Inc.

County Office of Aging Ithaca Dispatch, Inc. (taxi)Challenge Industries, Inc. Catholic CharitiesFinger Lakes Independence Center, Inc. Tioga Transport, Inc.

The Steering Committee will increase its membership to add TompkinsCommunity Action, County Health Dept WIC Program, County Mental Health andTompkins Workforce New York.

Process for developing the 2007 Interim Coordinated Plan

1. Steering Committee members provided information on transportation services,resources and service gaps during its meetings.

2. Staff reviewed existing plans & studies for information on demographics,transportation, transportation services, resources, service gaps and anunderstanding of the broader community context for the Coordinated Plan:

TCAT Team Action Plan, National Mobility Institute, Project Action, 2007 Tompkins County Job Access & Reverse Commute Program Update,

2006 Tompkins County Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, 2006 Tompkins County Youth Transportation Survey, 2005-06 Tompkins County/Cornell Employee Commuter Survey Phases 1 & 2,

2005-06 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan, Ithaca-Tompkins County

Transportation Council, 2005 Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan, 2004

3. Staff met with human service agencies/ County programs including:County Health Department – WIC (Women, Infants and Children) ProgramDaycare Council of Tompkins CountyHuman Services CoalitionTompkins Workforce New York, Tompkins Community Action & CountyMental Health Dept.4

4 Meetings to be held in July 2007

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4. Staff made presentations at Human Service Coalition and Tompkins CountyCooperative Extension Coalition for Families meetings to introduce theCoordinated Plan process and solicited input.

5. Staff contacted human service agencies and local government departments,by email and telephone, for information relating to federal funding which can beused to support transportation services.

6. Discussions were held with transportation operators including: TCAT,GADABOUT, Ithaca Dispatch and Tioga Transport.

7. Review of draft Coordinated Plan by the Steering Committee, including interimproject priorities for 2007, and a schedule for completing a Coordinated Plan byJuly 1, 2008.

8. Steering Committee to recommend adoption of the Interim Coordinated Planby the I-TCTC Planning Committee on 9/18/07 and the Policy Committee on10/16/2007.

Process for continuous development of the Coordinated Plan

The Coordinated Plan is a living document and requires a continuous process forinclusion, analysis and refinement. The planning process needs to comply withevolving federal planning requirements. (An excellent source of information aboutcoordinated plans and their implementation is found at the United We Ridewebsite: http://www.unitedweride.gov/1_ENG_HTML.htm)

The Coordinated Plan Process continues on the development process of the2007 Plan with opportunities for greater involvement from local governments,human service agencies, existing and potential service customers, advocates fortransportation disadvantaged and the general public.

Elements of a Coordinated Plan

A. Assessment of ServicesAssessing services describes service providers or operators, the scope andscale of their services in terms of geographic coverage and the availability orfrequency of service. The assessment identifies if the service is open to thepublic or restricted to clients.

The Assessment of services includes public transit operators (non-profit and for-profit), taxis, liveries, volunteer, contract operators with humansservice/governmental contracts, intercity bus service (long distance and regionalcommuter) and ancillary services. Ancillary services are expected to be deployed

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in 2007 through Tompkins County’s 2006 JARC Program and the Ithaca Car-Share non-profit.

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B. Assessment of Resources

The assessment of resources – to identify local recipients and amounts of federalfunding for programs providing transportation services to the transportationdisadvantaged and the availability of federally-funded assets, including vehicles,is presently underway by staff, and expected to be completed by September 30,2007.

C. Assessment of Needs and Service Gaps

The 2007 Interim Coordinated Plan relies on the assessment of needs derivedfrom the Steering Committee, meetings with agencies, and the 2006 JARC PlanUpdate. Assessing needs will make use of GIS mapping to overlay publictransportation routes with the distribution of employment centers, and lowincome, people with disabilities and elderly populations in the County.Assessing needs will identify priorities for market research necessary to launch anew transportation services.

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The needs assessment looks to how operators can collaborate in the use ofresources and opportunities for coordination. The assessment also includes howcommunity transportation services, taken as a whole, are experienced bycustomers from point of first contact to delivery of service.

A list of service gaps include:

provide services to meet welfare law requirements rural populations need to reach childcare and jobs most rural residents do not live close to TCAT bus routes, expand rural

community transportation services to provide access to bus services ADA-accessible, wheelchair accessible, taxis transportation to other counties to reach medical services expanded Gadabout service rural populations reaching the Ithaca urban area at ‘off hours’. access to jobs for summer youth employment program participants provide travel training for individuals on how to use all mobility services provide training for transportation providers regarding work with human

services client populations promote/facilitate the use of existing transit by human services client

populations assess the ‘real’ cost/benefits of providing human services transportation explore the opportunities of working with the youth population work with Ithaca Carshare to extend hour car rental to qualified low

income persons. develop a single source of consumer education for all community mobility

services as individual marketing programs by transportation providers arevery limited in scale, scope and subject.

encourage informal transportation arrangements through friends andfamily members are the best option for clients and should be eligible forassistance.

Gadabout has the potential to act as a central dispatch center given theresources for access to the appropriate computer software, hardware andemployees.

The milestone to complete the needs and service gap assessment for the 2008Plan is December 15, 2007. (See 2008 Agency Survey Addendum.)

D. Strategies to Address Needs & Gaps and to improve efficiencies of existingsystem

The Coordinated Plan is a means for:

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Local coordinated human services transportation planning to reduceduplication, increase service efficiency and expand access for thetransportation-disadvantaged populations.

Federally-assisted grantees should coordinate their resources in order tomaximize accessibility and availability of transportation services; includingsharing vehicles and coordinating the use of federally-funded assets.

After the assessment of services, resources and needs, the Steering Committeewill need to concentrate on identifying strategies and later on project priorities forfunding.

Outside assistance is available from within New York State and at national levelon many coordination issues and strategies. We have access to a variety oftechnical assistance expertise and peer-to-peer networks as well as regional andstate contacts. Further, we can procure consultant expertise as part of theplanning program.

The Coordinated Planning process enables the Steering Committee, I-TCTC andthe public to take a holistic perspective of transportation services, resources andneeds to develop a community transportation system. A communitytransportation perspective requires transcending worldviews as operators,agencies, companies, and governments to focus on a strategy of high qualitycustomer service for all users.

Strategies and project priorities for the 2008 Plan will be developed duringJanuary - May 2008.

A basic strategy to be explored is to create consumer-oriented services :

to educate the public and especially the target populations about allmobility services.

to train individuals how to use any mobility services. to create one number and website to make trip reservations for all demand

responsive services. to increase choice of mobility services including the number of wheelchair-

accessible services. to create one payment scheme – e.g. EZ Pass to create transparency and increase responsiveness of service providers to increase community based mobility services to feed into existing

services, e.g. TCAT busE. Interim Priorities for Coordinated Plan Projects in 2007-08

The Federal Transit Program (SAFETEA-LU) requires all projects proposed in2007 for the Section 5310, 5316 and 5317 Programs be included in an interim

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Coordinated Plan and selected by a competitive selection process conducted bythe New York State Department of Transportation in the fall of 2007.

The Coordinated Plan process has delayed NYSDOT’s announcement of theavailability of funds for competitive selection. NYSDOT has two years of Sec5316 (JARC) and 5317 (New Freedom) funding from 2006 and 2007 toannounce, and their 2007 solicitation for Sec 5310 capital (paratransit vehicleprojects).

GADABOUT expects to apply for Sec 5310 projects. Tompkins County will applyfor all Sec 5316 (JARC) and Sec 5317 (New Freedom) projects from NYSDOT’ssmall urbanized area and rural area allocations.

Table B. presents a list of projects for the Sec 5310, 5316 and 5317 programs tobe eligible for project selection in 2007 & 2008.

Table B. Interim Priority Projects for FTA Section 5310, 5316 and 5317 Funding

Project Description Section 5310Elderly &Individuals withDisabilities

Section 5316JARC

Section 5317NewFreedom

Total

1. Procure (4) ReplacementParatransit Buses for GADABOUT in2007 & 2008

$210,000 $210,000

2. County JARC Program (2006-07 –two years funding)

$200,000 $200,000

3. Evaluate alternatives/procure acoordinated trip reservation system

$50,000 $50,000

4. Develop a commuter van pool pilotprogram for low income Countyresidents

$25,000 $25,000

5. Extend ADA paratransit servicecoverage for employment, medicaland other trips (2006-07 funding)

$20,000 $80,000 $100,000

6. Procure two ADA-accessible taxicabs for lease

$52,000 $52,000

Total: $210,000 $295,000 $132,000 $637,000

Project Descriptions

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1. Procure four (4) replacement paratransit buses for GADABOUT to be appliedfor in 2007 and 2008 at the cost of $52,000 each. GADABOUT has a backlog of13 buses eligible for replacement.

2. Provide two years of funding for the County’s JARC Program to increasetransportation services targeted to needs of low income (under 200% of federalpoverty level) residents as identified in the 2006 JARC grant including: a ride-matching program, a guaranteed ride program, subscription commuter or otherflexible services, night taxi service, and fixed-route or route deviation service.$200,000.

3. Evaluate alternatives for providing a coordinated trip reservation service orsoftware for multiple operators. Provide funding for procurement. $50,000.

4. Develop a pilot van pool for low income county residents. $25,000.

5. Extend ADA Paratransit Service coverage for employment, medical and othertrips. The $100,000 would provide approximately 5,000 ADA Paratransit trips,(1/3 the number of ADA paratransit trips in an average year).

6. Procure two ADA accessible taxi cabs - $52,000. Procure two ADA-accessibletaxi cabs for lease to private taxi operator(s). The lease will recover the 20% localmatch. The vehicles would be used in taxi service in Tompkins County.

These project priorities would be effective until replaced with the 2008Coordinated Plan recommendations.

F. Interim Plan Public Involvement Strategy

The Interim Coordinated Plan will augment the I-TCTC’s public involvementprocess to solicit public comment for a thirty day period, as follows:

1. The I-TCTC will place an ad in the Ithaca Journal solicitingpublic comments for a 30-day period.

2. A press release will be issued by Tompkins County.3. Staff will be available to communicate with news media.4. The plan will be sent to the I-TCTC mailing lists including

planning and policy committees and all local governments.5. The plan will be made available at the Tompkins Public Library.6. The plan will be sent to all members and interested parties on

the Coordinated Plan mailing list.7. The Coordinated Plan will be published via the I-TCTC website

http://www.tompkins-co.org/itctc/.8. An email notice will be sent to the Human Service Coalition list

serve referencing the Coordinated Plan website.9. Interior ad cards will be used to inform transit passengers.

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This public involvement process is the warm-up to an extensive campaign inSeptember – November seeking input for an assessment of services and needs.

Prepared by Dwight Mengel, Chief Transportation Planner, Tompkins CountyDept of Social Services, 320 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 607-274-5605

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2008 Addendum

Tompkins County Coordinated Public Transit-Human ServiceTransportation Plan – Agency Survey

December 2007

Survey ProcessThe survey was sent out to private, public and non-profit entities to identify their needs asproviders and consumers of transportation services. It is difficult to know the potentialsize of our survey population because we used the Human Services Coalition Listserve tonotify agencies of the survey. Furthermore, the survey was mailed to 87 agencies chosenfrom the Human Services Coalition mailing list and was accessible throughSurveyMonkey.com.

The survey was conducted in early December 2007. Of the 87 agencies that were mailedsurveys, 6 were undeliverable and 21 were completed and sent back. Notice of the webbased survey was emailed to the HSC List serve a few days later. Reminder emails weresent to both lists one week after the mail date. The final survey response tally is 45.Several agencies, such as the Tompkins County Department of Social Services andChallenge Industries, had multiple responses from different departments or programmanagers. All paper surveys were manually entered into Survey Monkey to create aconsolidated database.

Who RespondedThe respondents ranged from local government agencies to health care providers. Thelargest response came from human service agencies (33%) and nonprofit 501c-3 agencies(46.7%). Others were schools and privately owned businesses. All respondents wereasked to state which agency they represented when completing the survey.

ResponsesCommon themes included a desire for increased public transit service from rural toDowntown Ithaca and direct bus service to human service agency locations. Someagencies stressed the need for senior and wheelchair accessible services and proper drivertraining. Agencies expressed interest in coordination issues in operating, purchasing andproviding information about transportation services.

Response rates were calculated based on the number of respondents to each question.Respondents could skip questions that did not apply. The response rate as well as thenumber of agencies that skipped questions has been added to each response summary.

Ed Tadros, Mobility Program Specialist, DSS

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Responses to Coordinated Plan Agency Transportation Survey – Dec 2007

1. Please fill out your agencies contact information before beginning the surveyResponse Percent Response Count

Name: 100.0% 45Company: 100.0% 45

answered question 45skipped question 0

2. What type of organization are you?Response Percent Response Count

Local Government 17.8% 8Education Institution 11.1% 5Healthcare Provider 11.1% 5Assisted Living / Nursing Home 4.4% 2Human Service Agency 33.3% 15Nonprofit 501c-3 46.7% 21Privately Owned Business 4.4% 2*Other (please specify) 17.8% 8

*Cooperative ExtensionSenior citizen apartment buildingHuman service planning and information referral

Provider of youth and recreation servicesIn the process of obtaining 501c3


3. Which of the following best describes your situation with regard to transportationservices?

Response Percent Response CountWe operate direct transportationservices with agency staff 15.6% 7

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins CountyGIACBroome DDSOCornell Public Service CenterChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Ithaca Youth Bureau

We offer transportation informationand referral 40.0% 18

Broome DDSO

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ChallengeAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment inc. AVREThe Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - IthacaLifelongFLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterTompkins County Health DepartmentTompkins Community ActionEnfield Elementary SchoolCatholic Charities Tompkins/TiogaTompkins Community ActionMcGraw HouseHuman Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Challenge - DSS DivisionTompkins Workforce New YorkTompkins County Office for the AgingCancer resource Center of the Finger Lakes

We purchase transportationservices from other providers: TCAT,Taxi, etc 26.7% 12

ChallengeThe Advocacy CenterLifelongCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Franziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSSDSSNortheast KIDS COUNT, Inc.DSSDSS

We would like to offer transportationservices in the future 8.9% 4

Cancer resource Center of the Finger LakesRedmoon CaregiversPlanned Parenthood of the Southern Finger LakesFinger Lakes Reuse, Inc.

We do not plan to offertransportation services but areinterested in participating in acoordinated partnership 46.7% 21

Cancer resource Center of the Finger LakesLifelongAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRESalvation Army - Ithaca

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FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterEnfield Elementary SchoolTompkins Community ActionHuman Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Tompkins Workforce New YorkTompkins County Office for the AgingTompkins County Youth Services Dept.Ithaca Pregnancy CenterChallengeIthaca Public Education InitiativeIthaca City School DistrictIthaca College TheatreCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins countySuicide Prevention & Crisis ServiceLiberty Resources, Inc.The Learning WebTown of Ithaca

We are not interested in exploringCoordination 6.7% 3

Ithaca Pregnancy CenterDrop in CenterSouthside community Center


4. What are your agency and/or client's unmet transportation needs?Response Percent Response Count

Getting to work between 5:00AM-7:30AM 31.1% 14

Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRESalvation Army - IthacaFLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterEnfield Elementary SchoolHuman Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeThe Learning WebChallengeThe Advocacy CenterCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.DSSTompkins County Health Department

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Getting to work between 7:30AM-8:30 AM 31.1% 14Salvation Army - IthacaHuman Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeThe Learning WebChallengeCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Tompkins County Health DepartmentDrop in CenterTompkins Workforce New YorkCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins CountyFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSS

Getting to work after 8:30 & before 5:00PM 13.3% 6Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeThe Learning WebCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionFranziska Racker Centers

Getting to work between 5:00PM-8:00PM 24.4% 11Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeThe Learning WebCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionFranziska Racker CentersChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSS

Getting to work between 8:00pm-10:00PM 28.9% 13Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeThe Learning WebCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSS (2)The Advocacy CenterTown of Ithaca

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Getting to work after 10:00PM 26.7% 12Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSS (2)The Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - Ithaca

Recreational activities and events 42.2% 19Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSS (2)The Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - IthacaThe Learning WebTown of IthacaFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County Health DepartmentDrop in CenterTompkins Workforce New YorkCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins County

Weekend and holiday travel 31.1% 14Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSSThe Advocacy CenterDSSSalvation Army - IthacaThe Learning WebTown of Ithaca

Accessing social service providers 35.6% 16Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Challenge

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Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSSThe Advocacy CenterDSSSalvation Army - IthacaThe Learning WebTown of IthacaFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County Health Department

Getting kids to childcare, school orschool activities 44.4% 20Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS Division (3)Daycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSS (2)The Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - IthacaThe Learning WebTown of IthacaFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County Health DepartmentDrop in CenterTompkins Workforce New YorkCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins County

Going to the doctor/dentist/medical 55.6% 19Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversTompkins County DSSThe Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - IthacaThe Learning WebTown of IthacaFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County Health DepartmentDrop in CenterTompkins Workforce New YorkCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins CountyAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRE

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Enfield Elementary SchoolTompkins Community Action

Visiting friends and family, shoppingand errands 20.0% 9FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversFranziska Racker CentersCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins CountyAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRELifelongTompkins County Office for the AgingIthaca Public Education InitiativeLiberty Resources, Inc.

Attending training of educationClasses 31.1% 14FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversFranziska Racker CentersCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins CountyAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRELifelongTompkins County Office for the AgingIthaca Public Education InitiativeLiberty Resources, Inc.Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS Division (3)

Travel to surrounding communities 42.2% 19FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversFranziska Racker CentersCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins CountyAssociation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc. AVRELifelongTompkins County Office for the AgingIthaca Public Education InitiativeLiberty Resources, Inc.Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS Division (3)Daycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Tompkins County DSS (2)The Advocacy CenterSalvation Army - Ithaca

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*Other (please specify) 33.3% 15

[Tompkins County Youth Services]Getting home from work after 9:00pm

[Drop-in Center]We only operate during regular business hours so parents must also work thosetimes

[FLIC]More accessible transportation in rural areas

[TC Health Dept]Getting clients to us, we do not have a bus stop, difficult for Mothers with babiesand strollers to reach us

[Challenge]More frequent routes/runs from outlying areas (Groton, Tburg)

[Ithaca Public Educations Initiative]We are concerned with out of school transportation for youthand what their needs do to their parents’ work schedules or car needs

[Enfield Elementary]Access to school events during the day and evening

[Cornell Coop. Ext.]Varied work schedules & evening meetings/events

[McGraw House]Travel to out of county medical appointments: Syracuse, Rochester, Sayre

[Northeast Kids Count]Transporting small and large groups of children for field trips

[HSC]In particular, low-income, rural caller to our help line who are looking for transportation towork and in particular, transportation to out of county medical appointments

[Learning Web]Getting to employment prep apprenticeship sites

[Office for the Aging]Affordable travel to regional medical Centers; travel beyond county lines (i.e.:from Groton to Cortland) for routine medical appointments and shopping

[Town of Ithaca]Youth employment

[Finger Lakes Reuse]Helping transport large items, as opposed to people


5. Please describe other transportation needs in Tompkins County that you feel need to beaddressed. This May include pedestrian and bicycling needs as well.[Tompkins County Youth Services]Better system to get youth home from after school activities.Different types of transportation for day schools to go to recreation/library activities. Better systemfor rurally isolated youth. Bike racks at bus stops

[Drop-in Center]Bus service needs to be at full capacity during the morning and evening rush,Unreliable service leads to parents and children running late.

[Southside]Expanded bus service, later service hours, more frequent stops downtown

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[GIAC]Buses need to have stops at major locations downtown

[Broome DDSO] There needs to be more options for people with disabilities as far as transportation.Gadabout is good for advance notice, but many clients want to use TCAT because it does not needreservations. Driver training and handicap accessible buses would make it easier for many.

[Franziska Racker]We are new, the new proposed black diamond trail and hope it can be used forstaff commutes working w/ TCAT to reroute bus line to serve Wilkins rd

[AVRE]Improved sidewalk maintenance pedestrian facilities in big box stores/plazas increasedsidewalk network increased installation of accessible ped signals APS

[Salvation Army]Getting to and from Syracuse, Binghamton, and Elmira more frequently and costefficiently

[Lifelong]Transportation is needed to take senior citizens beyond county line for medicalappointments. More transportation for seniors in the evening and on weekends. Bus stop at lifelong(the senior Center) Especially on routes that include senior housing.

[FLIC]Transportation in rural areas more driver training Travel training and learning to read busschedules better understanding of ADA eligibility and peoples disabilities

[TC Health Dept]Getting nursing home and home health aides to work.. Access for the disabled.Better routes.

[Challenge]Increased door to door service for individuals with more severe disabilities who do nothave the judgment or independence to use the public bus system

[TCA]More carpooling would cut down on traffic and emissions.

[Ithaca College Theater]Needs of seniors for after-hours transportation.

[CCE]Safe walking/biking to/from schools for children and to/from community events for all agesMore extensive bus hours and routes, especially weekends, and later evenings. Buses to outerneighborhoods and surrounding towns at these times would be very helpful for serving our ruralclients

[DSS]Family transportation - family passes. People getting to the bus stops if they live in a ruralsituation. Getting to other counties for services.

[DSS]More bicycle routes because it's dangerous to ride with vehicular traffic. More sidewalks forpedestrians.

[McGraw House]There really should be separate, safe bicycle paths all through the County.For pedestrians, there should be more consistent walk/don't walk arrangements at corners. Forexample the intersection of E. State/Green St/Seneca St--in order to get a walk sign you have topush the appropriate button. Is this something pedestrians expect? I don't think so. One assumesthat a walk sign will appear in the proper time, along with a green light for cars. Also, there shouldbe a traffic light at the corner of So Geneva St and Green Street, or at least a 4-way stop. There is asenior citizen residence a half block away and a large Doctor's office a block away. Crossing at thatintersection can be quite a challenge. Some McGraw House residents don't dare to try it. Seems like

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an easy fix, but because Green St is a state road, we understand that this is not easy. Is the Stateagainst safety for our seniors?

[Liberty Resources]There is a need for better ped and bicycle routes. The driving population needs tobe more alert to peds and bikes and I would like to see enforcement of crosswalk yield rules.Walking up E. State St. on the south side of the road there is no place to safely cross the road east ofStewart Ave. Development of the Black Diamond Trail would be a great recreational and non-motorized commuting route.

[HSC]More rural routes. More and safer bicycling paths. Expanded bus schedules, especially for shiftwork.

[Workforce]We work with many low income clients and people with disabilities in the outlying areas.The limited bus routes create difficulties in job searching, accepting positions and keeping work.

[DSS]Buses stop running early and cab fair is too expensive for our clients.

[Cancer Resource Center]People with cancer who are poor and have to get to regular treatment oftendo not have transportation or cannot drive during treatment.

[Fingerlakes Reuse]Many people or agencies who do not own transport need to move large items(such as office furniture) from time to time.

[Redmoon Caregivers]More extensive bus hours and routes, especially weekends, and later evenings.Buses to outer neighborhoods and surrounding towns at these times would be very helpful forserving our rural clients.


6. Please indicate your interest in coordinating transportation services and resources.Response Percent Response Count

Joining a network of agencies thatcoordinates transportationservices to better meet travelneeds 78.1% 25

FLIC - Finger Lakes Independence CenterRedmoon CaregiversCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins countyTompkins County Office for the AgingIthaca Public Education InitiativeHuman Services Coalition of Tompkins County, Inc.ChallengeCatholic Charities Tompkins TiogaChallenge - DSS DivisionChallengeDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.DSSThe Learning WebTown of Ithaca

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Tompkins Workforce New YorkEnfield Elementary SchoolDSSTompkins Community ActionCancer resource Center of the Finger LakesTompkins County Youth Services Dept.Ithaca College TheatreSuicide Prevention & Crisis ServicePlanned Parenthood of the Southern Finger LakesFinger Lakes Reuse, Inc.Tompkins Community Action

Pooling financial resources 12.5% 4Tompkins County Office for the AgingDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.DSSIthaca College Theatre

Joint use, pooling, or sharingvehicles among agencies 21.9% 7Ithaca College TheatreRedmoon CaregiversChallengeCancer resource Center of the Finger LakesLifelongLiberty Resources, Inc.Northeast KIDS COUNT, Inc.

Sharing drivers among agencies 15.6% 5Redmoon CaregiversCancer resource Center of the Finger LakesLifelongChallengeTown of Ithaca

Purchasing vehicles cooperatively 18.8% 6Redmoon CaregiversChallengeTown of IthacaNortheast KIDS COUNT, Inc.Franziska Racker CentersSalvation Army - Ithaca

Centralizing fueling of vehicles 18.8% 6Redmoon CaregiversChallengeNortheast KIDS COUNT, Inc.Salvation Army - IthacaDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Tompkins County Health Department

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Centralized maintenance service forvehicles 18.8% 6Redmoon CaregiversChallengeNortheast KIDS COUNT, Inc.Tompkins County Health DepartmentFranziska Racker CentersFinger Lakes Reuse, Inc.

Centralized scheduling ofpassenger trips with other agency'strip scheduling 31.3% 10Redmoon CaregiversChallengeTown of IthacaCancer resource Center of the Finger LakesIthaca College TheatreChallengeDSSChallenge - DSS DivisionTompkins Workforce New YorkBroome DDSO

Contracting to purchasetransportation services rather thancontinuing to operate own 15.6% 5ChallengeTompkins Workforce New YorkCornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins countyTompkins Community ActionPlanned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes

Contracting to provide othertransportation service to otheragencies needing service 3.1% 1Redmoon Caregivers


7. Are there other ways you would like to contribute to improving transportation services inTompkins County?

[TC Youth Services]Would like to work with both school bus systems, TCAT and Gadabout to help serveyouth better in a more coordinated effort

[TC Health Dept]I think all county buildings/departments should receive the same level of service. The healthdepartment has historically been unfairly treated

[Challenge]We require staff to have their own vehicle to use at work - we would be interested in ways to costeffectively provide vehicles that would allow staff to take public transportation to and from work, and haveaccess to transportation to use during the work day.

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[CCE]Opportunities to dialog with a network of providers and outreach with youth/families throughout thecounty

[Catholic Charities]We would like to start a wheels to work program for low income clients to purchase / repaircare to get to job.

[Redmoon Caregivers]We would be very interested in working on "green" transportation possibilities in acooperative transport system (eg bio-diesel vehicles) to lead the way as health care providers toward a moresustainable community

[McGraw House]Many of our residents rely on Gadabout for their transportation needs.

[HSC]Information and Referral/2-1-1 Program: Providing call Center data based on caller/walk-in requestsfor services and callers' expression of transportation needs. Human Service Planning: Interested in improvingclient access to service providers in the county, i.e. participating in a problem-solving network.

[Challenge-DSS division]My client’s biggest obstacle has been thus far not being able to get early morning andlate evening bus transportation. Another is not enough pick ups, I have a client that gets here an hour earlybecause of the length of time in between busses.

[Workforce]We specifically have a increased need in the summer months (June, July and August) for teens andyoung adults working and attending training.

[Learning Web]We work with youth and young adults ages 12-25. a number of our particpants have a lot to sayabout transportation needs in the community and are a voice to be heard. we would be very open toconnecting youth voice into this dialog.

[Youth Bureau]Explore supplemental solutions for "peak demand" time periods (in our case-after school.)

[Town of Ithaca]I don't have authority to commit to anything these are my personal opinions about programs Ioffer.

[Fingerlakes Reuse]For a planned reuse Center, we intend to have two full-time workers operating a box truckwith a lift-gate full time to help enhance reuse in Tompkins County. We would like to look into providingdonated or low cost moving services to agencies or individuals in need as a part of that service.


8. What counties, communities of neighborhoods does your operation serve withtransportation?

[CCE]We have two vans for transporting mainly youth but some adult program participants throughoutTompkins County

[GIAC] Ithaca city area

[Broome DDSO] Broome ddso has offices in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkinscounties

[Cornell Public Service Center]Tompkins, Tioga

[Franziska Racker]Our group home(s) in Cortland, Tompkins, Tioga Counties use vans and cars for residentneeds

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[Ithaca Public Education Initiative]Ithaca City school district

[DSS]Groton, Lansing, all of Tompkins County, so transports to Cortland County

[Six Agencies]Tompkins County

[Workforce]Ithaca and surrounding Tompkins County geographic areas

[Cancer Resource Center]Tompkins County, we also hear from contiguous counties where people live but needto come to our county for treatment


9. Do you provide/do any of the following?Response Percent Response Count

Operate your own vehicles 44.4% 8

ChallengeTompkins Community ActionBroome DDSOFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSSCornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins CountyCornell Public Service CenterIthaca Youth Bureau

Contract with other to providetransportation service(s) 27.8% 5

ChallengeFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSSCornell Public Service CenterTompkins County Office for the Aging

Arrange for volunteer driver services 16.7% 3

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins CountyIthaca Youth BureauCancer resource Center of the Finger Lakes

Purchase and provide publictransit tickets and passes for yourclients 50.0% 9

ChallengeFranziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSSCornell Public Service CenterTompkins Workforce New York

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Daycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Catholic Charities Tompkins TiogaDSSTompkins County Youth Services Dept.

Other (please explain) 38.9% 7

[TC Youth Services]Fund agencies to purchase vans to transport youth to activities[Southside]Volunteer drivers for senior shopping program[Broome DDSO]Younger clients have rides from parents, adults rely on public transit while some get ridesfrom staff but not often[Challenge-DSS division]Bus passes[Workforce]Assist young adults to get their drivers license, pay for TCAT passes, and help with info on busschedules[Cancer Resource Center]Coordinate appointments for clients on others’ transport services


10. Which of the following further describes the type of service you operate?Response Percent Response Count

A door to door service that requires aschedule for each day of service 14.3% 2

Franziska Racker CentersCornell Public Service Center

A door to door service on a route thatis revised as required 14.3% 2

Cornell Public Service CenterDSS

A fixed-route service that requirespeople to meet a vehicle at a fixedlocation 14.3% 2

Cornell Public Service CenterChallenge

A demand/response service 57.1% 8

Tompkins County DSSTompkins Workforce New YorkDaycare & Child Development Council of Tompkins County Inc.Tompkins County Youth Services Dept.Ithaca Youth BureauCancer resource Center of the Finger LakesTompkins Community ActionChallenge - DSS Division

Other (please explain) 21.4% 3

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[CCE]Rides from programs, field trip transportation[TC Youth Services]Activity based bus system, like a Friday night run to get kids to the “rink” to skate[Catholic Charities]Travel expenses in emergency situation for low income clients


11. How do you provide vehicles, drivers and maintenance?Response Percent Response Count

We own our vehicles 66.7% 6

Tompkins County DSSIthaca Youth BureauTompkins Community ActionCornell Public Service CenterChallengeFranziska Racker Centers

We lease our vehicles 11.1% 1

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

We perform our own vehicleMaintenance 22.2% 2

Ithaca Youth BureauFranziska Racker Centers

We contract out for maintenanceservice 77.8% 7

Franziska Racker CentersTompkins County DSSTompkins Community ActionCornell Public Service CenterChallengeDSSCornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

We have paid drivers 44.4% 4

Cornell Public Service CenterChallengeCornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins CountyIthaca Youth Bureau

We have volunteer drivers 33.3% 3

Cornell Public Service CenterCornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

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Cancer resource Center of the Finger Lakes


12. How many vehicles do you have available for your service?

[CCE]Two vans[Cornell Public Service Center] One[Franziska Racker]Fifty[Challenge]Three[TCA]Two[DSS]Fifteen[Daycare Council]Staff uses personal vehicles and we reimburse for mileage[Workforce]Zero[DSS]n/a[Youth Bureau]Five[Cancer Resource Center]Staff sometimes uses their cars. The demand is great and the resource scarce so wedon’t promote it publicly


13. How many of these vehicles do you operate on an average day?Response Count 8

[CCE]Two[Cornell Public Service Center]One[Franziska Racker]Fifty[Challenge]Three[TCA]Zero[DSS]One[Workforce]Zero[DSS] N/A[Ithaca Youth Bureau]Five


14. How many of your vehicles are of the following capacities?Response Average Response Total Response Count

# of vehicles that are 9 or fewerPassengers 12.33 74 6# of vehicles that are 10 to 14Passengers 1.75 7 4# of vehicles that are 15 to 24Passengers 0.00 0 2# of vehicles that are 25 or morePassengers 0.00 0 2# of vehicles that are wheelchairlift equipped 0.33 1 1[Cancer Center]

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15. How many of your vehicles need to be replaced?Response Average Response Total Response Count

Now 2.5 5 2Within the next year 3.0 6 2Within the next two years 5.0 10 2


16. Please indicate the hours of transportation service that your agency provides for each dayof the week and indicate whether it is a fixed of demand based route. For example: Monday9am-7pm fixed route Tuesday 8am-6pm demand / response route Saturday and Sunday noservice.

[CCE]All days as needed for specific planned programs

[Cornell Public Service Center]Anytime, any day of the week, demand responsive

[Franziska Racker]Typically 7am to 5pm every day

[Challenge]M-f 9am-9pm fixed route sat-sun 9am-2pm fixed route

[TCA]Varies

[DSS]Monday thru Friday demand/ response

[Workforce]M-F demand/response route for adult programs June, July, August - 6:00am-6:00pm demand /response routes in outlying areas for youth programs

[Youth Bureau]Daily, with both seasonal and other variations based on program cycles. Usually 9AM-9PM withpeak demand from 2PM-9PM on weekdays. Some extended overnight and out of town trips.

[Cancer Resource Center]Generally Monday through Friday 9-5


17. On an average day of serviceResponse Percent Response Count

How many passengers do youtransport in total? 100.0% 8How many miles do your vehiclesoperate in total? 62.5% 5How many hours do you vehiclesoperate in total? 62.5% 5

Passengers: 20, 1-8, 110, 0, 0 but want to have 5-10, 8, 45, 2 a month

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Miles: 50-100, 5-100+, varies, 120, 10 round tripHours: 4, 1-8, varies, 35 a week, 0


18. Are there eligibility requirements for passengers?Response Percent Response Count

No 25.0% 3*Yes (please specify) 75.0% 9

[CCE]Must be enrolled in specific programs

[Cornell Public Service Center]Cornell staff, students and faculty

[Challenge]Participants in our services who are working at our IC dish room enclave or at our hydroponicsgreenhouse

[DSS]Open for children’s services

[Daycare Council]Passengers must be program participants, their spouses, their children or the children’sbiological parents

[Workforce]Enrollment in WIA or WP programs

[DSS]Income eligible

[Youth Bureau]Program participants. If youth, parental permission required

[Cancer Resource Center]Receiving cancer treatments


19. What are your peak service times?

[CCE]After school hours[Cornell Public Service Center]Variable[Franziska Racker] 7am to 10am and 3 pm to 5 pm[Challenge] 9am, 2pm and 4pm[TCA]Day time[Daycare Council] 8:30am – 4:30pm[Workforce]M-F 6-9am and 4-6pm[Youth Bureau] 2pm-9pm[Cancer Resource Center]Days


20. Do you limit the kinds of trips for which people can use your service?

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Response Percent Response CountNo 11.1% 1Yes: Work only 11.1% 1Yes: Medical Only 11.1% 1Yes: Agency Service only 33.3% 3*Other (please explain) 33.3% 3

[Cornell Public Service Center]Yes, only related to public service Center

[Daycare Council]Medical, DSS services, WIC, Food Pantry

[DSS]Work and medical


21. Please describe any special needs that passengers using your service may have (i.e. needsramps or other ADA features)

[Broome DDSO]All clients are developmentally disabled, some to a higher extent than others

[Franziska Racker]Lifts

[Challenge]Since our services are targeted for people with employment barrier, we frequently serve people withspecial needs

[DSS]All clients have special needs

[Youth Bureau]Some individuals with disabilities

[Cancer Resource Center]May need a ramp


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2009 AmendmentTompkins County Interim Coordinated Transportation Plan Priorities

The Federal Transit Program (SAFETEA-LU) requires all projects proposed in2009 for the Section 5310, 5316 and 5317 Programs to be included in aCoordinated Plan.

The New York State Department of Transportation is conducting a competitiveselection process for rural JARC and New Freedom projects in May 2009.Tompkins County will conduct a competitive selection process for urban JARCand New Freedom projects in June 2009.

GADABOUT expects to apply for Sec 5310 projects. Tompkins County will applyfor Sec 5316 (JARC) and Sec 5317 (New Freedom) projects from NYSDOT’ssmall urbanized area and rural area allocations.

Table B. Priority Projects for FTA Section 5310, 5316 and 5317 Funding

Project Description Section 5310Elderly &Individuals withDisabilities

Section 5316JARC

Section 5317NewFreedom

Total

1. Procure up to six replacementparatransit buses for GADABOUT in2009

$320,000 $320,000

2. County Rural Feeder Program $150,000 $150,0003. Way2Go Community EducationProgram on mobility alternatives

$60,000 $60,000

4. Individual Travel Training $15,000 $15,0005. Extend ADA paratransit servicecoverage for employment, medicaland other trips (2009 funding)

$60,000 $60,000

6. Procure two ADA-accessible taxicabs for lease

$70,000 $70,000

Total: $320,000 $225,000 $130,000 $675,000

Project Descriptions

1. Procure up to six (6) replacement paratransit buses for GADABOUT to beapplied for in 2009 at the cost of $53,000 each. GADABOUT has a backlog of 14buses eligible for replacement.

2. Provide $150,000 for the County’s Rural Feeder Program for Towns ofNewfield and Enfield.

3. Provide $60,000 for Way2Go Education Program operated under contract withTC Cooperative Extension and Tompkins County for second year fundingthrough 2010.

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4. Develop a community travel training program for individuals. $15,000.

5. Extend ADA Paratransit Service coverage for employment, medical and othertrips. The $60,000 would provide approximately 3,000 paratransit trips for ADA-paratransit certified individuals.

6. Procure two ADA accessible taxi cabs - $70,000. Procure two ADA-accessibletaxi cabs for lease to private operator(s). The lease will recover the 20% localmatch. The vehicles would be used in Tompkins County.

III. Coordinated PlanReport: Dwight Mengel reported that the Coordinated Plan had a requirement for atwo-year priority of projects with estimates of funding for the 2007-2008 period; anaddendum to the plan is needed in order to attach a priority list of projects andestimated funding proposed in 2009 for Section 5310 (Gadabout), Section 5316(JARC), and Section 5317 (New Freedom) programs. Mr. Mengel distributed ahandout “Priorities for Coordinated Plan Projects in 2009” that included a table ofthe three programs, their project descriptions, and the dollar amounts associatedwith them. He reported that the Public Transit/Human Services Coordinated PlanCommittee met on April 5, 2009 and developed the priority list; the addendum isneeded in order to file the application for funding before May 15. Mr. Mengel askedif there were any questions about the handout.

Tim Logue asked what the “Way2Go Education Program” was. Dwight Mengelexplained that it was decided that the “RideWise Program” needed a better name soit is now called “Way2Go”.

Approval for the addendum was moved by Jonathan Kanter, seconded by TimLogue, and unanimously approved by the ITCTC Planning Committee.

Fernando de Aragón asked Dwight Mengel if ITCTC Policy Committee approvalwas required for this action; the Policy Committee does not meet until May 19,which is after the application deadline. Mr. Mengel replied that he could submit theapplication with Planning Committee approval and the item could be included onthe Policy Committee agenda for informational purposes; the committee agreed.

Action: Approval to include Priorities For Coordinated Plan Projects in 2009 as anaddendum to the Coordinated Plan was moved by Jonathan Kanter, seconded byTim Logue, and unanimously approved.

Planning Committee, Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, April 21,2009

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