Federal
policy directed at providing transportation service to elderly and disabled
people requires that public transportation be made available to such
people. In 1990 major civil rights
legislation was passed -- the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 --
which instituted sweeping new requirements for accessibility improvements on
all transportation services provided to the public. CDTA worked with a special committee (Capital District Committee
for Accessible Transportation) created by New York State legislation to develop
a plan for implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act
requirements. The plan, containing
recommendations concerning the paratransit, main line, and rural services
operated by CDTA, was submitted to FTA and NYSDOT on January 22, 1992. As required by the ADA final rule, CDTC
certified on March 19, 1992 that it had reviewed the plan and the plan is in
conformance with the region's transportation plan developed under the joint
FTA/FHWA planning regulations. CDTA
submitted an Annual Update to the Compliance Plan to FTA and NYSDOT in January
1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. As required
by the ADA final rule, the CDTC Policy Board reviewed the updates to the plan
at the March meetings of those years.
Full compliance to the ADA was required and achieved as of January 26,
1997. CDTA is no longer required to
submit annual progress reports to the plan as long as the transit system
continues to meet all service criteria of the ADA.
In response to this federal
and state policy, and local community goals articulated through the planning
process, the following special services and efforts will be progressed during
the 2001-02 program year:
1.
STAR (Special Transit
Service Available by Request) Service: CDTA's special transit service began operation in
the summer of 1982. The service was
designed for use by any Capital District resident that because of a disability,
was unable to utilize CDTA's fixed route bus service. STAR service was modified in January 1993 to comply with the
guidelines set forth in the ADA. The
changes affected eligibility, service area and fares. Additional changes to STAR service were instituted in January
1994 to comply with ADA milestones.
"Next day" service became available in 1994; CDTA began to
process requests for paratransit service up to 14 days in advance of the trip
in 1994 as well. During 1995, CDTA
installed a state of the art computer system to better manage the STAR service
requests and routing. During 1998, CDTA
refined the eligibility requirements for STAR access in an attempt to curb
clientele growth and to encourage use of the accessible fixed route
system. In Spring 1999, CDTA installed
the Windows-based version of the STAR scheduling software which allows for
faster turnaround times, automated cancellation and verification of trips and
is a faster system overall.
The STAR fleet now consists
of 29 heavy-duty vehicles, two cutaways and two mini-vans. $0.250M is programmed in 2001-02 and $1.0M
is programmed in 2002-03 of TIP project T6B for the purchase of five STAR
heavy-duty vehicles (to replace existing vehicles). $2.0M is programmed in 2004-05 for replacement of eight vehicles
and eleven vehicles are scheduled for replacement in 2005-06 ($2.75M).
Almost 70,000 elderly and/or
handicapped people were provided over 95,000 specialized trips during the 1999
calendar year. This is a decrease of 5
percent over the previous year's total of 100,000.
2.
STAR “Town Meetings”: CDTA conducts “town
meetings” to gather feedback from users of the STAR service on a biannual
basis. The last two meetings were held
in May 2000 and October 2000. The
sessions are designed to serve as a mechanism by which information regarding
changes in STAR service can be disseminated.
Also, the meetings provide an opportunity for STAR users to comment on
how the Authority can better serve the disabled community. CDTA plans to conduct two STAR town meetings
during the 2001-02 fiscal year.
3.
Fare Policy: Federal
regulations mandate that transit fares for elderly and disabled riders during
off-peak hours be no more than one-half the base peak-hour fare. In calendar year 1999, CDTA certified almost
1900 people for half-fare cards. An
additional 500 people were certified for half-fare cards in 2000. Over 309,000 half-fare rides were recorded
on the fixed route system between April 1999 and March 2000. The cost of this fare reduction policy was
nearly $275,000.
4.
Other Special Efforts: During 1987, CDTA adopted
the policy that all future purchases of fixed route, mainline buses be
handicapped accessible. In concert with
this policy, CDTA replaced 16 non-accessible route vehicles with 16
lift-equipped vehicles in June 1988.
During 1990, these buses were retrofitted with large wheelchair clamps
to make it easier for people using wheelchairs to use the bus. An additional ten lift equipped vehicles
were received in May 1991, four in 1992-93 and seventeen in 1994. Eighty-two low-floor buses were put in
service during 1997 and 1998. These
low-floor buses were deployed first on the highest volume CDTA routes. Over half of the CDTA fixed route fleet was
accessible by September 1998. During
1999, 77 additional low-floor buses were delivered to CDTA. CDTA's fleet is currently 98%
accessible. Approximately 100 to 150
people in wheelchairs access the fixed route system each week.
Over the past several years, CDTA has worked on improving bus stop amenities and accessibility and has worked cooperatively with area municipalities to improve pedestrian amenities. Work on pedestrian access, including issues related to the elderly and mobility disabled population, will continue throughout 2001.
5.
Northway Commuter Services: Upstate Transit’s fleet of
15 commuter buses is fully accessible to the disabled. Three accessible buses are scheduled to be
replaced in 2003-04. $1.20M of CMAQ
funds is programmed in the third year of the 2001-06 TIP (SA 134) for these
replacements.
During the
1993-94 fiscal year, CDTC, as part of the New
Visions process, formed a task force to develop a plan that addresses
special transportation needs through 2010.
This task force met through November 1996. Findings of the task force were published in December 1996.
CDTC was involved with the
Committee for Accessible Transportation (CAT) between January 1992 and February
1996. The CAT was established in the
Capital District pursuant to the ADA.
The committee was comprised of three transit disabled people, a
representative of CDTA, a designee of the State Advocate for the Disabled, one
designee of the Commissioner of NYSDOT and a representative from Blue
Cross. The CAT met quarterly to monitor
the implementation of the 1992 ADA Compliance Plan for CDTA. A member of the CDTC Staff attended the
meetings. The CAT voted itself out of
formal existence on February 14, 1996, the date that CDTA became fully
compliant with the requirements of the ADA.
CDTA and some members of the CAT, however, volunteered to reconstitute an
advisory committee to CDTA (regarding accessibility issues) as an informal
body. This group meets quarterly at the
CDTA headquarters in Albany. CDTC is a
member of this group.
CDTC staff continues to work
on UPWP Task 4.07 -- Human Service Agency Transportation Options. Under this task, during 1996, 1997 and 1998,
CDTC participated in the Statewide Coordinated Transportation Study
(SCOTS). CDTA was the recipient of a
demonstration grant under SCOTS. The
purpose of SCOTS was to encourage the coordination of transportation provided
by human service agencies. In this
regard, CDTA and CDTC worked with human service agencies located in Albany,
Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties to initiate discussions about
coordination and consolidation strategies.
CDTA hired a consultant from the Community Association of America to aid
in this task. Several coordination
agreements resulted from this effort. The SCOTS demonstration program ended at
the end of March 1999.
The SCOTS program resulted
in a major accomplishment in coordination for the Capital District -- ACCESS
Transit, a subsidiary of CDTA was created in late 1997 for the purpose of
"brokering" medical trips for Medicaid clients. Prior to the creation of ACCESS Transit,
CDTA and CDTC staff conducted a number of meetings with representatives from
the county departments of social services and the New York State Department of
Health (NYSDOH) to determine the requirements and constraints of delivering
transportation for Medicaid recipients.
County representatives became interested in the brokerage concept
primarily because it could save the counties money and relieve their burden of
finding reliable transportation for their clients. $750,000 under project T56 was programmed in the annual element
of the 1997-02 TIP to provide seed money for the brokerage. A portion of these monies was used to
acquire office space, office furnishings, office equipment, a state of the art
computer system and phone system.
$200,000 of these monies was in the committed column of the 1999-04 TIP
and a total of $400,000 for capital expenses (such as office equipment,
supplies, furniture, computer equipment and rent) was programmed for the first
two years of the 1999-04 TIP. $200,000
appears in the committed column of the 2001-06 TIP and $50,000 is programmed in
the third, fourth and fifth year of this TIP.
ACCESS Transit began
brokering trips for Rensselaer, Schenectady and Albany counties in the fall of
1998. Access provides for a system where people requiring non-emergency
transportation for medical trips (under Medicaid) call one central phone number
to arrange trips. ACCESS Transit
arranges transportation for the client, bundles trips for maximum efficiency
and reimburses transportation providers for services rendered. ACCESS Transit is accountable to the three
counties and regularly monitors service quality and speed of delivery. The counties meet with staff from ACCESS
monthly to review expenses, trip demand and operating procedures. CDTC staff attends the monthly meetings, as
do representatives from NYSDOH and NYSDOT. ACCESS Transit brokered over 410,000
trips in 2000 (59% for Albany county, 22% for Rensselaer county and 19% for
Schenectady county) and processes over 250 calls per day.
As this system of
reservations and delivery of service becomes refined, it is expected that area
transportation providers will improve their performance, improve quality
standards and competitively bid the cost of transportation. It is anticipated that human service
agencies within the Capital District will also join the brokerage. A brokerage is attractive because
duplication of service is avoided, unproductive trips and some deadheading can
be eliminated, the efficiency of trips is improved (more passengers per trip),
and maintenance and driver training practices are standardized. The ultimate goal of the brokerage is to
create a “community transportation network” that will take people who have no
alternative means of transportation to places that they need to go. This network will become an important
element in the community as the Welfare to Work program (T66) gains momentum.
During 1998, CDTA submitted
two grant applications requesting monies to provide transportation and other
services to people transitioning from welfare to work. These were submitted on behalf of a regional
task force that was formed to grapple with these issues. The task force consisted of members from the
Albany County Department of Social Services (DSS), the Rensselaer County DSS,
the Schenectady County DSS,
representatives from job training agencies, the workforce development
board, CDTA, CDTC and others. CDTA was
notified in the Spring of 1999 that they were approved for monies from both the
New York State Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Grant ($900,000
over 19 months) and the Federal Transit Administration's Access to Jobs (JARC)
Grant ($497,000 over one year). As
specified by federal guidelines, the Access to Jobs monies appeared in the
1998-2003 TIP (Project T66).
In September 2000, CDTA
submitted a grant application to the New York State Department of Labor for
welfare to work monies under the Community Solutions for Transportation
program. Under this program, CDTA
submitted an application on behalf of the four counties (Albany, Rensselaer,
Saratoga and Schenectady) for $1,989,000.
If awarded, these monies will be used to extend existing CDTA routes,
add and extend suburban shuttle services, provide service in Saratoga County
and continue a transit pass program.
CDTA and the committee will be notified of the grant status in early
2001. CDTA also applied for a second
year JARC grant for $497,000 under the JARC 2000 program. CDTA was not awarded monies under this
program, but was provided an earmark of $250,000 under the JARC 2001 program
(TIP project T66). Given this reduced
amount, CDTA had to refine its Welfare to Work program, but will be able to
continue the Welfare to Work transit services that are most utilized.
In addition to the efforts described above, CDTC has been involved in the process in which area agencies apply for FTA Section 5310 funding (formerly Section 16(b)(2)). As part of this effort, the CDTC staff annually evaluates Section 5310 applications with respect to need, alternatives to funding, and coordination efforts. These evaluations are forwarded to NYSDOT for integration into the State Interagency Review Committee's review process.
In May 1999, six area human
service agencies applied for funding under the FFY 2000 Section 5310
program. The CDTC staff evaluated the
six applications and presented the evaluations to the Planning Committee in
June 1999. The evaluations were
approved and forwarded to the State Interagency Review Committee.
In October 1999, CDTC was
notified that four of the six FFY 2000 applications were recommended for funding
(for seven vehicles) and that two applications were recommended for standby
funding[1]. Table
4 contains a list and description
of these projects. From Table 4, it can be seen that a total of $556,100
($444,880 federal) was recommended for funding by the Interagency Review
Committee under the FFY 2000 Section 5310 program, and $64,738 ($51,790
federal) was recommended for standby funding.
It should be noted that in May 2000, supplemental funds for the Section
5310 program became available and projects on the standby list were
funded. As a result, two additional
vehicles were purchased with Section 5310 funds, totaling $64,738[2].
Three agencies applied for
seven vehicles under the FFY 2001 Section 5310 program. In October 2000, these agencies were
notified that they were approved for funding for the purchase of five vehicles
(one agency applied for four vehicles but was approved for two vehicles). Table 5 contains a list and description of
the projects that were approved. From
Table 5 it can be seen that $349,900 ($279,920 federal) was allocated to the
Capital District human service agencies under the FFY 2001 Section 5310 program. The figure of $349,000 appears in the
1999-01 committed column of TIP project T6A.
FFY 2000
Section 5310 Program Recommendations
(As
Recommended by the New York State Interagency Review Committee)
Projects
Recommended For Funding
County |
Applicant |
Vehicles |
Total Cost |
Albany |
Cerebral Palsy Center for the Disabled |
Two 40-passenger wheelchair accessible buses |
$ 208,400 |
Albany |
Senior Services of Albany |
One 12-passenger bus |
39,000 |
Saratoga |
Saratoga County ARC |
Two 40-passenger wheelchair accessible buses |
206,700 |
Schenectady |
Schenectady County ARC |
Two 24 passenger wheelchair accessible buses |
102,000 |
Approval Subtotal |
|
|
$ 556,100 |
FFY 2000
Projects On Standby List for Funding and Subsequently Approved[3]
County |
Applicant |
Vehicles |
Total Cost |
Albany |
Cohoes Multi-Service Senior Centers |
One 20-passenger wheelchair accessible bus |
$36,863 |
Albany |
Colonie Senior Service Centers |
One 12-passenger van |
27,875 |
Standby Subtotal |
|
|
$64,738 |
TOTAL FUNDED |
|
$620,838 |
Table 5
FFY 2001 Section 5310
Program Recommendations
(As Recommended by the New York State Interagency Review Committee)
County |
Applicant |
Vehicles |
Total Cost |
Albany |
Colonie Senior Service Centers |
One 12-passenger van |
$ 39,700 |
Albany |
Cerebral Palsy Center for the Disabled[4] |
Two 24-passenger wheelchair accessible buses |
107,800 |
Saratoga |
Saratoga County ARC |
Two 40-passenger wheelchair accessible buses |
202,400 |
Approval Subtotal |
|
|
$ 349,900 |
[1] These agencies did not receive a high enough rating, in comparison to other statewide projects, to be recommended for funding. However, the project was considered very worthwhile and was placed on a standby list for funding. Standby projects are funded if any agencies approved for funding drop out of the program or if vehicle price estimates prove to be higher than actual costs.
[2] Funding for the two approved applications and the two applications that were initially on standby represent over 9 percent of the total capital funds approved for the FFY 2000 New York State applicants.
[3]
These agencies were
notified in May 2000 that additional Section 5310 monies were available to fund
their projects.
[4] This agency applied for four 24-passenger accessible vehicles, but funding was received for only two24-passenger vehicles.