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

Questions?

Scott Wisner602-251-2021

swisner@valleymetro.org