butte county coordinated public transit- human services transportation plan with may 2008
TRANSCRIPT
Butte County Coordinated
Public Transit-Human Services
Transportation Plan
With
May 2008
Today’s WorkshopWhy are we doing this?Survey Findings Outreach Findings Direction of RecommendationsDialog on possible projects Finalizing the plan and next steps
Section 5310 processLocal Call for Projects
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Project Overview
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Why are we doing this? Coordination history long
• Improving rural/ improving social service transportation (1970s)
• GAO Report on Coordination (2003)
• Federal Executive Order (2004)
• Locally (2001) – Regionalizing transit creating B-Line; human services coordination working group—Easter Seals project
Coordination Requirement of new Federal legislation • Section 5310 – Capital program / seniors & persons with disabilities
• Section 5316 – Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)/ low income & work-related trips
• Section 5317 – New Freedom program / persons with disabilities
Circulars require a unified, comprehensive plan that is locally developed with public transit and human services participation.
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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4 Federal Requirements An assessment of available services that identifies current
providers (public, private and non-profit).
An assessment of transportation needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults and people of low income -- this assessment can be based on experiences and perceptions of the planning partners or on the data collection efforts and identified gaps in service.
Strategies and/or activities and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs as well s opportunities to improve efficiencies in service delivery.
Priorities for implementation based on resources (from multiple program sources), time and feasibility for implementing.
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Coordination Plan Development Goals
1. Through outreach, identify & promote partnerships.• Interested, Willing and Able Agencies. Looking for leadership.
2. Identify unmet needs & service gaps for target populations.• Persons of low income
• Persons with disabilities
• Seniors
3. Promote survey and validate survey findings.
4. Inform & educate stakeholders about capacity building strategies.
5. Integrate SAFETEA-LU coordination planning into BCAG’s ongoing efforts to build cooperative relationships.
6. Leverage existing dollars to expand transportation options/ choices.
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
§ 5316 – Job Access & Reverse Commute Program
§ 5317 – New Freedom Program
§ 5310 – Seniors & Persons W/ Disabilities Capital Program
Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Butte County, 2008
A Locally Developed Comprehensive, Unified Plan Tied to 3 Federal Programs
Demographics Analysis: 2000-2030
Stakeholder Inventory
Survey
Outreach Opportunities:
3 Subarea Workshops; Selected Stakeholder
Interviews
Need and Resource
Assessment Activities
Consumer Focus
GroupsDisabilities, Low-Income, Seniors
May Project Development
Workshop
Assessments:Transit Operators –
B-Line, Other Operators
SSTAC/Wkg. Grp. Draft Plan Public
Hearing Process
Background Information:
Unmet Needs, Performance Audit
Report of Findings/
Needs Assessment
SSTAC/Wkg Grp.
Jan 7th
Adopted Plan
Coordinated Plan
Call For Projects2007/08
Target Populations
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Target Populations
Orange County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Butte County Transportation Coordinated Plan Adult Target Populations, 2000 and 2007
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
Butte County Adults w/ Disabilities16-64
Adults Low Income 18-64
Seniors 65+
Co
un
ty P
op
ula
tio
n
2000 Census2007 DOF
5.9% 19.7% 15.7%
7% increase
percent of total population
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Seniors• Low income seniors
2,286 persons 1.1% of 2000 County population
• Seniors w/ self-reported disabilities 5,546 persons
2.7% of 2000 County population• Oldest seniors, 85+
4,384 persons 2.2% of 2000 County population
Youth• Chronically or acutely ill children &
youth• Court-placed youth; CASA youth• Aging out of foster care• In behavioral health system• On probation• With developmental disabilities and
special needs
Target Population Subgroups
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Other Subgroups• Welfare-to-work families & children• Homeless individuals returning to
employment• Persons on dialysis• Adults with developmental
disabilities• Chronically mentally ill homeless• Discharged prisoners
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Current Transportation Resources
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Regional Public Transit Network B-Line Service in Chico, Oroville, Paradise areas -- intra and inter-community linesB-Line ParatransitGridley Golden Feather FlyerAdjacent Counties – Glenn Ride and Plumas Transit
Other Public Sector Transportation (partial)Butte CollegeChico State UniversitySchool districts – Chico, Oroville, Durham and Feather Falls Unified School Districts
Human Service Agency & Organization Transportation (partial) Work Training Center Bus ticket distribution – DPSS, CAPFeather River Hospital – Rural Health Clinic Catholic Workers, Salvation ArmyPeg Taylor Center Longfellow Catholic LadiesPassages Faith-based organizations
Private sector services (partial)Merit Medi-Trans Telephone check-in/ transportation provider for seniorsBetter Babies/ Cabs for KidsGreyhound Bus Lines
Resources
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Existing Public Transit
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Resource Utilization (2007)Trips taken in Butte County by various services:
• B-Line fixed-route – 1.1 million trips• B-Line paratransit – 112,420 trips• Responding human services providers – 281,364 trips
(excludes school districts and commercial providers; n=15)
Trips Per Capita Fixed-route – 5.5 Paratransit – 0.6 Survey agency trips provided – 1.3 All trips counted – 6.9
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Resource Utilization (2007)
Trips taken in Butte County by various services:• B-Line Fixed-route – 1.1 million trips• B-Line Paratransit – 112,420 trips• Responding human services providers – 281,364 trips
(excludes school districts and commercial providers)
Trips Per Capita Fixed-route – 5.5 Paratransit – 0.6 Survey agency trips provided – 1.3 All trips counted – 6.9
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Coordinated Plan Trip Per Capita Demand Estimates: All transit – 10.7
Specialized – 2.7
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SAFETEA-LU FundingSection 5310 – Statewide competition of $12 million Section 5316 – JARC $ 51,000 Section 5417 – New Freedom $ 30,000
Section 5307 – Small urban areas $1.5 millionSection 5311 – Rural areas $500,000
California Transit FundingTransportation Development Act, LTF $6.8 million California State Transit Assistance $1.1 million
Transportation Funding Resources in Butte County
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Human Services FundingButte County Dept. of Education $8 millionFar Northern Regional Center $1.7 million
Other Funding Sources (partial)California Dept. of RehabilitationDept of Health Services (MediCal) Calworks/ GAINProposition 63 – Mental Health Services Act
Tobacco Settlement RevenueFirst FiveRyan White CARE Act (HIV/AIDS)Chaffee Act (Foster Care Independence)
Transportation Funding Resources in Butte County
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Survey Results
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Survey Respondents
24% response rate from 302 agencies.
Approximate case load of responding agencies is 163,000 persons
Daily attendees –13,187 (8%)
Needing transport help -7,393 (5%)
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Survey Respondents by Agency Type, n=65
2%
5%
6%
43%
45%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Private, nonprofit
Public
Faith Based
Private, forProfit
Tribal
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Survey Respondents
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Survey Respondents' Reported Primary Client Population, n=65
43%
45%
49%
46%
63%
66%
55%
77%Persons of low income
Youth
Persons with behavioral disabilities
Persons with physical disabilities
Persons with sensory impairments
Seniors, frail
Seniors, able-bodied
General public
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Survey - NeedsButte Survey Respondents' Most Reported Transportation Needs, n=65
65%
58%
46%
42%
35%
32%
31%
26%
26%
26%
22%
22%
14%
Going to the doctor/medical trips
Counseling/mental health treatment
Training, ed classes or program sites
Shopping and multiple errand trips
Interviews/screenings
Recreational activities or events
Weekend and holiday trips
Getting to work between 8am - 5pm
Late night or early morning work shifts
Visiting family or friends
Kids to daycare or school
Long distance trips
Other
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Survey – Coordination Interests• Centralized information
highest ranked by all agency types.
• Coordinated trip scheduling & dispatch highest ranked by both human service transport providers and non-provider agency types.
• Agencies with no current transportation function least interested in coordination opportunities.
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Interest in Coordination Activities
22%
14%
16%
17%
20%
25%
42%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Not currentlyinterested
Shared fuelingfacilities
Pooling financialresources
Joint contracting
Coordinated serviceoperations
Joint use/poolingvehicles
Centralizedinformation
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Survey-Barriers to TransportationFunding availability
directly operated or contracted transport.
Challenges with public transit reliability, availability, frequency, bus pass purchase rules
Demand response service trip scheduling, service reliability, difficulties with dispatch
Butte County’s geography and long-trips Information assistance needed at all levels
agencies, consumers booking trips, riders boarding/ on vehicles
Consumers’ individualized needs
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Survey- ResourcesVehicles reported by 36 human service agencies (exclusive
of B-Line):
• 174 vans and buses
• 146 (84%) used daily
• 80 (46%) in need of replacement within next two years
• Only 17% lift-equipped
Funding for transportation by human service agencies responding to survey:
• Reported over $5 million (may include some duplication with FNRC $s)
• Funding for vehicle operations, bus passes, mileage reimbursement, taxi vouchers, some administration
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Outreach FindingsNeeds and Issues
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Outreach Meetings: Representative Contacts
Community Workshops
Attended by over 50 persons representing 35 organizations
Paradise – Family Resource Center Chico – Community Employment Center Oroville – Community Employment Center
Meetings/Roundtables BCAG’s Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council/ Coordination Working Grp. Secondary & University Transportation
Providers Butte Community College Chico State University of California Chico Unified School District
Dept. of Public Social Services Housing & Community Development
Program Managers
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Meetings/ Interviews Paradise Adult Treatment Center Peg Taylor Adult Day Care Merit Medi-Trans Work Training Center Feather River Rural Health Clinic North Valley Catholic Social Services Dept. of Behavioral Health, Prop. 63
Consumer Focus Groups Persons with chronic mental illness –
Paradise Treatment Center Seniors –
Residents at Jarvis Gardens, Chico Individuals of low income –
Jesus Center food bank
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Needs Identified
1. Human service agency needs
2. Consumer needs
3. B-Line fixed-route and unserved pockets of County
4. B-Line ADA and paratransit needs
5. Community infrastructure needs
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Human Service Agency NeedsGatekeeper Information and Communications, relating to
fixed route services• New staff not aware of available services• Caseworkers don’t track changes in transit• Destination-oriented fixed-route transit info• Helping clients translate ride guide info into a trip plan
Travel training Training staff to train consumers Select locations (CAP Training) good sites for consumer training; Assisting consumers in how to use available services Youth need training No Cost Low Cost/ Help Central a resource
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Human Service Agency NeedsMore escorted transportation needed
So consumers don’t wander off (Alzheimer's’, developmental disabilities) Assistance between door and vehicle (frail elderly, frail and blind, dialysis
patients, unsteady on feet)
Need transit to follow Entry-level jobs at airport, casinos, fast food locations New low-income housing developments (seniors, families)
Special purpose shuttles • Shopping shuttles (from Paradise to Costco/ Chico mall)
• Recreational activities on Saturdays and evenings (Do-It dances, movies)
• Families with children
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Human Service Agency NeedsNon-emergency medical transportation
• High level of no-shows for MediCal appointments due to transportation difficulties
Agency staff transport costs increasing; Mileage reimbursement to staff significant budget item
Agencies need vehicles on limited basis:• Special events or outings (recreational)
• Group shopping trip on limited days
• Special out-of-county field trips
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Consumer NeedsRider compliments – drivers, dispatch, serviceReduced fares for low income riders
• Many can’t afford even fixed route fares • Transit tickets offered for individual trip; more cost effective if
monthly pass available; 10 tickets not enough for job search, apartment search
• Smaller ticket denominations ($5)
Increasing fuel costs severely impacting low income consumers and families• Desire to turn to public transit• Where transit isn’t available, “fuel cards” are needed
Transit dependent with pets to vets
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Consumer NeedsTransportation accommodating needs of low income
women with children• Work transportation to accommodate taking children to day care.• Difficulty of traveling on bus with infants or several children to get
to medical, social service, mental health counseling appointments.
Importance of on-time performance Whether fixed-route or paratransit, missing buses and late arrivals
impacts doctors’ appointments, job interviews, work
Same day non-emergency medical trips Health needs can’t be anticipated Changes in MediCal; difficulty in obtaining
transportation authorization
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Consumer NeedsTravel training
• Riders confused – county vs. city; inbound vs. outbound
Butte County areas with limited public transit or no service at all. • Paradise to Magalia• Paradise to Pines• Gridley• Kelly Ridge to Oroville • Oroville to Palermo• Berry Creek and Concow• Out-of-county medical trips to:
Yuba/Sutter and North Sacramento-UC Davis
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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B-Line Paratransit Related IssuesADA certification computerized
Hard for consumers to navigate Difficult for caseworkers to help frail consumers
ADA services at capacity (a.m. and p.m. peaks) Longer waits, more missed trips; missed connections
Service quality issues On-time performance, missed appointments due to lateness
Dispatch communication issues• Consumers report difficulties around trip scheduling, follow-up on late
vehicles and missed trips
• Need for more dispatcher training, improved rider communications
• Call ahead -- reminding frail seniors who are often forgetful
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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B-Line Paratransit Related IssuesConfusion regarding ADA trip types
• Regularly scheduled versus subscription• Vacation trips and not; driver manifest is not always correct
Rigidity in booking trips difficult Sometimes consumers need a different pick-up or drop-off location
Vehicles Old, break-downs not infrequent, in need of replacement
Some trip needs beyond what ADA can provide Escort assistance; more frail riders Trip chaining – waiting for pharmacy, grocery store return trip
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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B-Line Fixed Route IssuesFrequency of service, particularly inter-community
Magalia to Paradise Magalia to Chico (medical, social service appointments) Paradise to Chico Chico to Oroville
-Oroville to Chico return; need additional afternoon run-Routing reviewed; more direct routing needed
Improved connections for inter-community tripsB-Line buses around University:
Changes in timing – buses leave 10 minutes to the hour;
students can’t get to the bus; long waits for next
Calling out stops infrequent• Difficult for new or uncertain riders
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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B-Line Fixed Route IssuesParticular locations needing transit servicesWeekend and Evening Hours
• Half-day on Sundays; later Saturday nites for work trips• Evening services needed for airport, certain fast food locations• Casinos (Gold Country) need 3rd shift transportation
Overcrowding • Particularly Chico to Oroville and return
Bus pass purchase capabilities Need easier administrative processes for agency purchases. Discounts for low income riders Need universal bus pass that human service agencies could be
billed for trips taken
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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B-Line Fixed Route IssuesPockets of unserved need and key destinations without
adequate public transportation.• Gridley• Pockets up in the foothills – Berry Creek, Concow, Thermalito,
Feather Falls Gold Country Casino in Kelly Ridge Oroville to Palermo (bus does stop at Four Corners) Between Oroville and Yuba/ Sutter Oroville Senior Nutrition Center Oroville – The Oaks; Cottonwood Estate Oroville -- New Family Resource Center
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Infrastructure Related IssuesNeed capability for trip brokering, sharing of vehicles for
trips are coming in from rural areas.• Interest in collaboration
• Common trip corridors
• Limited ways for agencies to “find” one another around trip needs Discounts for low income populations.
• Role for private providers
Need mechanisms for agencies to collaborate more easily around meeting trip needs.
Role of mobility manager- Within agencies and service systems
- Between agencies and service systems
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Infrastructure Related Issues
Physical environment Curb cuts and street improvements for pedestrians Bus stop and bus shelter needs Stop signage incomplete, often missing, more information needed Better info at central transfer locations (Chico mall)
Role for volunteers Interest in & capacity for volunteer-role in Butte County given
strong community orientation – CASA program Insurance issues must be addressed Fuel costs must be addressed
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Emerging Recommendations
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Direction of Recommendations
1. Facilitating infrastructure
2. Building services
3. Enhancing information portals
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InfrastructureFacilitating mechanisms for coordinationThere are Interested, Willing…. And ABLE Partners
Merit Medi-Trans Work Training Center Many other human service agencies collaborating in this process Roles for B-Line Paratransit and B-Line Fixed Route
Can address:
- Vehicle maintenance
- Travel training
- Ability to fill seats on specific runs
- Potential for vehicle sharing in a coordinated system
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Infrastructure
Defining the role of a CTSA –
Consolidated Transportation Services Agency
- Institutional issues – where, who, governance
- Funding partners
- Defining responsibilities
- Defining services
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Infrastructure
Defining the role of a CTSA –
Consolidated Transportation Services Agency
- Institutional issues – where, who, governance
- Funding partners
- Defining responsibilities
- Defining services
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Building Services
Building the Service Network Address key B-Line fixed route and paratransit
issues identified thru upcoming transit planning processes
Encourage human services transportation options
- promote bus pass/ voucher programs
- promote volunteers Integrate public transit and human services
transportation capabilities
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Enhancing Information
Information portals Printed and website information, availability
promoted Travel training of users/ bus buddies Travel training case managers Development of supplemental tools
- Destination oriented
- Consumer-group specific
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
Project Development
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From Needs to Projects Information and trip planning resources Internal agency transportation coordinators – Mobility Managers Non-emergency medical transportation Same-day transportation option Coordinated transportation options – brokered trips Individualized shuttle services to address specialized needs
(i.e. shopping runs, recreational-Saturday dances, mothers with children, frail elderly, youth, training events)
Voucher programs/ reduced fares/ improved bus pass distribution for low income consumers
Improvements to B-Line ADA dispatching and communications Improvements to existing B-Line fixed route service
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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From Needs to ProjectsDefine the need.
What need or service gap will your project address?
Design the service.
What are its operating elements: days, hours, eligibility; outreach/ marketing to consumers; service area; limitations.
Align the players.Who will be the partners in this effort? How can you share
resources and responsibilities?
Assign the assets.How will you match the Federal funds – cash or in kind services?
• 50% match for operating• 20% match for capital or mobility manager
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
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Next Steps
• Draft Plan for Comments On BCAG website in June 2008
• Adopted Plan July 2008
• Section 5310 Vehicle Grant Applications Draft application June 2nd to BCAGFinal application August 29th to CalTrans
• Section 5316 and 5317 Call for ProjectsAnnounced Fall 2008Submitted to BCAG
Butte County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan