HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-2015 Item 4 - Agreement for RTA Reimbursed Fare
Meeting Date: 9/1/2015
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Public Works
Prepared By: Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR RTA REIMBURSED FARE-FREE RUNABOUT RIDES ON
SLO TRANSIT
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Regional Transit Authority for
subsidized rides for Runabout Passengers on SLO Transit Fixed Route.
REPORT-IN-BRIEF
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has seen an increase in use, as well as expenses,
associated with Runabout paratransit operations. As costs for Runabout continue to increase, the
resulting impact is reduced funding for all system that operate fixed-route transit programs
within the county. One way to assist RTA in reducing the load on the paratransit system is to
have local fixed route providers accommodate paratransit riders when/if they can complete a ride
on the fixed route system. These rides are provided at a lower cost and can help save money for
RTA and in turn, the JPA funding partners. An agreement to allow RTA to subsidize Runabout
passenger rides provided by SLO Transit, at the rate of $3 per trip, would help alleviate demands
on Runabout paratransit services by capturing more trips on the more cost effective fixed-route
system.
DISCUSSION
Background
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires transit operators to provide
complementary paratransit services to their fixed-route operations. Paratransit services are for
those whose disability is of a nature that they cannot use the already ADA accessible, regular
fixed-routes. Paratransit operations provide more specialized “door-to-door” service for those
living within ¾ miles of a fixed-route during the same operating days & hours as regular fixed-
route services. In order to qualify for these paratransit services, riders must apply and provide a
medical professional’s confirmation as proof of their need for these specialized services. In this
county, paratransit services are operated region wide by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
via its Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), under the brand name of “Runabout.” The City is a
member of the JPA and provides approximately 18% of funding for RTA services that are not
paid for by fares or grants.
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Increasing Demand Trend
Paratransit services typically serve a small subgroup of disabled passengers who cannot use
regular ADA accessible fixed-route buses. Riders may be eligible for paratransit even if they do
not have a physical disability. Barriers to accessing the fixed route system – such as topography
or lack of sidewalks, can make paratransit the only transit available to some riders. For San Luis
Obispo County, data trends show an increasing demand for Runabout trips. RTA has seen a
significant increase in ridership over the last several years. In fact, th e demand for Runabout has
put annual paratransit operating costs just below the total RTA fixed-route costs even though it is
a supplement service to the fixed-route operation.
Paratransit services are less cost effective to operate than fixed-route. This is because the rider
needs are much more specific, thus limiting the opportunity for shared rides which therefore
drives the cost per passenger up. By comparison the RTA fixed-route cost per passenger is
around $4 while the SLO Transit cost is $2.87. The Runabout cost per passenger averages over
$60 for RTA. The passenger requested: travel times (pick-up and drop-off), destination(s), which
can be countywide, and the timeframe needed to accomplish the trip, almost always require a
dedicated vehicle and driver for each single passenger trip.
There is very specific and stringent language from the Federal Transit Administration regarding
the high level of service that must be provided for these passengers. In fact, while travel times
can be negotiated, they cannot be denied to a rider. This therefore requires RTA to always have
available dedicated resources for such passengers.
Fiscal Issues
RTA’s current FY15-16 budget identifies a total of $3,654,000 for Runabout services. This is
of concern to both RTA and SLO Transit as more of the limited regional dollars are allocated to
the paratransit service and issues of overcrowding or additional service on high demand routes
must be deferred. RTA staff is currently working to implement cost saving efforts and policies
to appropriately curb increasing Runabout demands; including additional assessment of ADA
applicants as part of eligibility screening and trip sharing discounts for multiple passenger
pickups.
Additional Solution
An additional cost saving effort is shifting potential ADA riders to fixed route services if the
rider is able to be accommodated. This is possible because, in some cases, passengers have what
is known as a “conditional disability.” This is where the passenger has the ability to use fix ed-
route under favorable medical and/or weather conditions and depending on the nature of their
trip. They qualify for Runabout paratransit services as they have a qualifying conditional
disability but don’t have to rely on Runabout to provide all of their trips. The goal would be to
incentivize these individuals to use fixed-route on those “favorable conditions” trips, at no cost
to them, in order to save the cost of the trip on the ADA service. Their fare will be reimbursed by
RTA’s Runabout budget to the local provider.
Under this arrangement, RTA will reimburse SLO Transit for these rides by paying a flat fee
based on the full average cost-per-passenger. SLO Transit’s average cost per passenger is
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$2.87 (total operating cost divided by total passengers). A $3 flat fee has been chosen as what
RTA will reimburse SLO Transit every time a Runabout passenger uses local fixed-route under
this arrangement during FY 15-16.
Future year reimbursements will be based on the previous year’s cost per passenger trip rate.
The goal is to slow or even reverse the trend of increased use on Runabout, and related
increased costs, by migrating as many trips as possible to the more cost effective fixed -route
services available throughout the county. SLO Transit and Morro Bay Transit are the only
local transit providers who have yet to offer this option to Runabout riders. Approximately 60%
of all Runabout trips start or end within SLO Transit’s service area, while almost 25% start and
end in San Luis Obispo. It is hoped that some of these trips will be able to be accommodated on
our fixed route system thus alleviating the demand on Runabout.
Staff will monitor the ADA uses on the system and report on potential issues (such as delays
due to increased wheel chair boarding’s), if they develop.
CONCURRENCES
These efforts are supported by:
SLOCOG
RTA & Board of Directors
Mass Transit Advisory Committee
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant fiscal impact estimate at this time, however staff expects to see a small
increase in ridership and farebox recovery if more Runabout passengers migrate to fixed-route, at
least on some trips. Staff will closely monitor any operational impacts to determine if this
arrangement impacts our system on-time performance; if a significant impact is realized, staff
will work with RTA to either modify or eliminate this program. Over time, it is hoped that the
level of increase in county-wide paratransit services will stabilize and the impact on funding
available for fixed route operations will also be lessened.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Deny subsidy agreement
2. Identify alternative funding mechanism
Attachments:
a - Agreement for SLO Transit fare-free Runabout
b - RTA Board of Directors Report - Runabout Measures
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AGREEMENT FOR RUNABOUT FARE-FREE ACCESS ON SLO
TRANSIT FIXEDROUTE BUSES
THIS CONTRACT is made and entered on this_______day of __________,
2015 by and between the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA ) and the
City of San Luis Obispo (CITY).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires complementary
paratransit service must be provided within ¾ miles of fixed routes during the same
days and hours; and
WHEREAS, the CITY operates general public fixed route vehicles within and
adjacent to San Luis Obispo city limits; and
WHEREAS, Runabout service is the designated complementary paratransit
provider for all fixed route services in San Luis Obispo County; and
WHEREAS, RTA has identified the need to control costs in the face of increasing
demand for Runabout services; and
WHEREAS, RTA determines eligibility for Runabout services based on
applicants’ self-certification and a medical professional’s concurrence; and
WHEREAS, qualified registrants are issued a Runabout eligibility card by RTA;
and
WHEREAS, RTA, Paso Robles Express and South County Transit permit
Runabout registrants to board fixed route buses fare-free by displaying their eligibility
card upon entering the fixed route bus; and
WHEREAS, RTA wishes to expand fare-free service for certified Runabout
registrants on City’s fixed route vehicles.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties do mutually agree to the following:
1. Runabout Registrants Ride Fare-Free
Registered Runabout riders can board a CITY bus and ride fare -free by
showing the bus operator his or her Runabout eligibility card.
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2. RTA Compensates CITY on a Monthly Basis
CITY will track each Runabout-eligible passenger boarding using the GFI
farebox, and provide a monthly summary by route to RTA. For Fiscal Year
2015-16, RTA agrees to compensate CITY on a per-passenger boarding price of
$3.00. In future years, RTA will compensate CITY for each fare-free Runabout
boarding using CITY’s previous year Operating Cost divided by the number of
annual passenger boardings. The Operating Cost is reported in CITY’s
annual TDA fiscal and compliance audit report.
3. Term and Termination
The term of this Agreement commences when signed by an authorized
representative from each of the parties and expires three years after that.
During this term, either party may terminate this agreement for any reason by
providing thirty days written notice to the other parties.
4. Change in Terms
This Agreement shall be amended or modified only by mutual written
agreement of the parties.
5. Mutual Indemnification
Each party to this Agreement shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
others hereto and they and their affiliated entities’ officers, agents and
employees, from any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, and
liabilities of any kind or nature, including attorney’s fees, which arise solely by
virtue of its own negligent acts or omissions (either directly or through or by its
officers, agents or employees) in connection with its duties and obligations
under this Agreement.
6. Notification
All notices and communications regarding interpretation of the terms of this
Agreement and changes thereto, shall be effected by the mailing thereof by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and
addressed as follows:
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
Geoff Straw
Executive Director
179 Cross Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
City of San Luis Obispo
Gamaliel Anguiano
Transit Manager
900 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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RTA CITY
__________________________________ ________________________________
Debbie Arnold, President Jan Marx, Mayor
RTA Board of Directors City of San Luis Obispo
Dated: _____________________ Dated: _____________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGAL EFFECT AND LEGAL EFFECT
RITA L. NEAL J. CHRISTINE DIETRICK
County Counsel San Luis Obispo City Attorney
By: By: _________________________
Assistant County Counsel City Attorney
Date:_____________________ Date:_____________________
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SAN LUIS OBISPO REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
March 6, 2013
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: A-2
TOPIC: ADA Recertification & Other Potential
Runabout Cost-Saving Measures
PRESENTED BY: Geoff Straw
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Receive
RTAC RECOMMENDATION: Receive and Support
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Executive Summary
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides protection for persons with
disabilities in a number of areas, such as employment, public accommodations and
transportation. The transportation elements of the ADA directed transit agencies to
make their fixed route service fully accessible, while requiring transit agencies to also
provide complementary paratransit service to individuals who are unable to use
accessible fixed route service. Specifically, complementary paratransit service must be
provided within ¾ miles of fixed routes during the same days and hours. In addition, the
ADA is clear that a pattern of trips denials is unacceptable, and the FTA has taken
action against transit agencies that have experienced only a small number of denials.
The ADA permits trip schedulers to negotiate travel times one hour on either side of the
requested time, and our staff does a good job of accommodating requests within these
parameters. The RTA’s Runabout service is the complementary paratransit provider for
all fixed route services in San Luis Obispo County.
Demand for Runabout services is increasing and may soon outstrip the budgeted
resources, despite staff’s efforts to meet the demand for Runabout services in the a
cost-effective and efficient manner. Staff is proposing to recertify current Runabout ADA
eligible riders over a three-year period, and to implement the following in an attempt to
control costs:
1. Fully Implement the No-Show Policy
2. Fund Fare-Free Fixed Route Service for Runabout Registrants
3. Formally Eliminate General Public Runabout Service
Staff will continue to monitor Runabout service levels and expenses to determine if a
budget amendment might ultimately be needed
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Background and Current Runabout Challenges
Ridership on Runabout has increased steadily over the past several years and even
more so in past 12 months. As depicted in the graph below, monthly Runabout ridership
over the past five-plus years trends relatively closely by month, with the months of
March and October tending to be the highest each fis cal year. Two record monthly
ridership totals were recorded on Runabout in October 2012 , followed by August 2012,
March 2010 and May 2012 (three of the four highest months were in the past 12
months).
Year over year Runabout ridership and other operating information from FY07-08 to
present is depicted in the table below. As shown, ridership on Runabout has increased
almost every year, although it declined slightly from FY07-08 to FY08-09. As also
shown, annual service hours have increased year over year to meet burgeoning
demand, with a significant increase between FY10 -11 and FY11-12. Based on
discussions with Runabout schedulers, productivity has declined slightly in the past few
years as the number of long Runabout trips throughout the county has increased. There
are no indications that these trends will change in the near future, and this will have an
adverse impact on financial resources. It should be noted that the Runabout service is
deemed “at capacity” right now, and RTA has experienced significant overtime by
Runabout drivers to meet this increasing demand.
2,000
2,200
2,400
2,600
2,800
3,000
3,200
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RTA Runabout Ridership by Mo.
FY07-08
FY08-09
FY09-10
FY10-11
FY11-12
FY12-13
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Runabout Service Parameters
Year
Runabout
Ridership
Change from
Prev. Yr.
Annual
Service
Hours
Change
from
Prev. Yr. Productivity
FY07-08 30,917 N/A 15,644 N/A 2.0
FY08-09 30,174 -2.4% 18,467 18.0% 1.6
FY09-10 31,554 4.6% 19,833 7.4% 1.6
FY10-11 32,929 4.4% 21,128 6.5% 1.6
FY11-12 34,424 4.5% 23,790 12.6% 1.4
RTA’s current FY12-13 budget identifies a total of $2,351,598 for Runabout services,
although increasing ridership trends suggest that amount may be insufficient; staff is
monitoring those costs to determine if a budget amendment might be required before
year-end. There are not a lot simple solutions that can significantly reduce this demand
in the future, although there are some alternatives that we could implement to try to rein
in demand, as described below.
Recommended Future Measures
Recertify Runabout Eligibility
RTAC has supported the concept of recertifying eligible Runabout riders to ensure that
the service is provided to those that meet the eligibility requirements. This recertification
effort will require significant staff time and coordination, and a preferred method used in
the transit industry is to recertify one-third of registrants each year over three years to
avoid unduly overwhelming staff resources. It is our intent to use existing staff members
to complete the recertification process, and RTA will address how the staffing
requirements will impact the budget during the FY13-14 budget-making process.
The RTA Runabout ADA Paratransit Application for service, as well as a Frequently
Asked Questions brochure, is attached at the end of this document. As indicated, the
five-page application focuses on functional abilities as it relates to the inability of the
applicant to use fixed route services to meet all of his or her travel needs. This is not an
exclusively self-determination process, since we require a doctor or case worker to
complete the application. It should be noted that the ADA permits conditional
certification based upon physical barriers or other environmental conditions (i.e.,
inclement weather) that prevent the person from using fixed route services for a
particular trip. Conditional eligibility permits transit agencies to determine on a trip -by-
trip basis if a complementary ADA paratransit trip should be provided . However, in
practice, there are not any transit agencies – even very large ones – that have been
fully successful in implementing conditional eligibility, since it typically requires
specialized medical and vocational training for eligibility staff and schedulers that is
beyond the resources available within a transit agency. As such, RTA either grants full
eligibility or denies it based on the application.
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Similar to the majority of transit agencies across the United States, eligibility
determinations are made by RTA clerical staff whose primary experience is in the transit
field rather than the disability or health care professions. The primary RTA staff person
making these eligibility determinations has received training through a variety of means,
including focused training classes, continual review of state of the practice reports, and
through peer networking. However, given the substantial fiscal and social implications
associated with false positive certifications, training eligibility certifiers to conduct
accurate eligibility certifications becomes a significant issue. Nonetheless, staff is
confident that we have developed a very cost-effective and defensible eligibility
determination process, and that staff is doing a great job in this arena.
Fully-Implement the No-Show Policy
Staff is currently implementing a no-show policy that includes suspension of service in
an attempt to reduce the frequency of riders that book trips but fail to show up for the
ride. Passenger no-shows reduce efficiencies and potentially deny service to persons
who otherwise might have preferred that time to travel. We have worked closely with our
computerized dispatching software vendor in the past several months to enable us to
effectively manage the policy, although we have struggled to meet our project
milestones due to delays caused by the vendor. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that the
no-show policy program will be fully implemented by the end of FY12-13.
Fund Fare-Free Fixed Route Service for Runabout Registrants
Another option to reduce demand is to provide reduced or free fixed route fares to
encourage fixed route travel by ADA paratransit registrants. As mentioned above, RTA
either grants full eligibility or denies it, with the realization that some riders might be
capable of using fixed route services for one or both legs of their roundtrip. With the
understanding that the per passenger cost on Runabout is roughly twelve times that of
the per passenger cost on fixed route services, RTA and SCAT implemented a program
whereby persons showing an ADA eligibility card can board fixed routes buses for free.
In order to further relieve the burgeoning demand for Runabout services, we are
proposing that the other fixed route transit operators in the county do the same. Under
this scenario, RTA would provide as compensation the Average Passenger Fare 1
multiplied by the number of ADA eligible passenger boardings; this would be reconciled
on a monthly or possibly quarterly basis. The recent incorporation of GFI fareboxes by
RTA and SCAT can simplify this process, since SLO Transit already has GFI fareboxes.
However, we would have to devise a method to account for local fixed route use on the
Paso Express, Morro Bay fixed route, and Atascadero El Camino Shuttle services.
1 “Average Passenger Fare” is defined as the total fixed route passenger fares reported in the transit
operator’s previous State Controller Report divided by the number of passengers .
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Formally Eliminate General Public Runabout Service
Although RTA marketing materials continue to state that Runabout service is provided
on a space-available basis, in reality RTA has not been able to accommodate a general
public request in over two years due to a lack of capacity to carry general public riders.
As such, staff recommends that we conduct a public outreach effort in the coming
months to solicit input from the community regarding the formal elimination of this
language from all marketing materials. Even though this will not technically result in any
cost savings – since we would not be reducing service levels – formally eliminating the
notion that general public dial-a-ride service is available in our marketing materials
might clear up some confusion and/or expectations of service by would-be general
public riders.
Other Potential Future Measures
1. Implement a travel training program – this type of program provides one-on-one
outreach to ADA eligible riders to encourage them to use fixed route when
conditions permit. There has been varied success of this type of program,
although there are firms that specialize in providing this service on a consulting
or train-the-trainer basis.
2. Work toward trip-swapping with Ride-On – since both RTA and Ride-On recently
implemented RouteMatch computerized dispatching systems, there is a
possibility of viewing each others’ trip manifests electronically. Under this
scenario, if one agency has unscheduled or difficult -to-schedule trips on a
particular day, we could see if the other agency could group it with an already
scheduled trip. We have begun discussions and will continue to work with
RouteMatch to determine if this coordination is possible and what sorts of
resource commitments are feasible.
3. Implement a subsidized taxicab program – this has been implemented in a
number of areas throughout the United States, with varying degrees of success.
In some cases, local taxicab licensing jurisdictions have required taxicab
companies to utilize accessible minivans in a portion of their fleet. In others, the
transit agency acts as a broker and attempts to schedule ambulatory riders in
traditional taxicabs. Some of the challenges are getting the taxicab companies to
comply with FTA-required drug and alcohol testing programs, as well as
resistance by transit unions to replace work that might have been provided by
covered employees.
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4. Eliminate or reduce subscription trips – RTA currently permits riders who have
regular trips (i.e., a job with regular hours throughout the week) to schedule on -
going trips on a subscription basis. These types of trips can be efficiently
scheduled when grouping with other riders is possible. Subscription service is
permitted under the ADA, but it is not required. Reducing or eliminating the
subscription program will make the service less desirable for riders, since they
will have to call to schedule trips on a more frequent basis and they might choose
another travel option (if available/possible).
5. Reduce the booking window – our current policy permits riders to schedule trips
up to seven days in advance, although the ADA only requires next-day
scheduling. It should be noted that schedulers can typically more effectively
group trips when a longer booking window is provided, so the productivity of a
next-day scheduling scenario tends to be relatively lower in co mparison. Next-
day scheduling might also require additional Runabout scheduler resources in
comparison to a seven-day booking system, since the requests tend to come in
right before the scheduling window closes (5:00 PM the day previous to service).
6. Call-backs for next-day rides – another option is to take requests until 5:00 PM,
then the schedulers would group the trips for the next service day; the schedulers
would then be forced to call each rider back to tell him or her exactly when they
are scheduled to ride the next day – taking into account the one-hour scheduling
window permitted under the ADA. This tends to result in very efficient grouped
trips for each driver, although there tends to be a very low satisfaction rate by
riders, since they do not know the details of their trip until the night before they
ride. It also results in challenges for riders whose return leg of their roundtrip
cannot be scheduled exactly (i.e., a doctor appointment that might go longer than
expected).
Another cost-saving measure that was not discussed at RTAC, but might be worthy
of future consideration is conversion of the RTA Route 15 service along the North
Coast to a route deviation service. In essence, the Route 15 service would deviate
up to ¾-mile from the Route 1 corridor, thereby eliminating the need for Runabout
complementary paratransit service between Morro Bay and the Hearst Castle. Route
15 and accompanying Runabout service is currently being partially funded with a
Jobs Access Reverse Commute grant that expires at the end of FY13-14, so any
changes would likely need to occur after that since -eliminated JARC funding
program grant is fully expended.
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Page | 1 of 5
SAN LUIS OBISPO REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
ADA PARATRANSIT
RUNABOUT APPLICATION
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Last First M.I.
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________ State: ______ ZIP: __________________
Mailing Address (if different): __________________________________________________
City: ________________________________ State: ______ ZIP: __________________
Phone (Home): _____________________________ (Work): __________________________
Email: ____________________________ Date of Birth: _____________________________
Emergency Contact Person: ____________________________________________________
Phone (Home): ____________________________ (Work): ___________________________
Relationship to Applicant: _____________________________________________________
PART 1: YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANT
Complete Pages 1 - 4 with YOUR information. Be sure to sign Page 4.
Take all 5 pages of your application to a medical professional/doctor/case worker familiar with your disability.
Have them read your answers on Page 1 – 4 and then fill out Page 5.
When the medical professional/doctor/case worker has complete Page 5, they will return your application to you.
When your application is completed (Pages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) send the original BY MAIL to RTA at:
179 Cross Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Only original copies will be processed. Copies/faxes will be returned to you and will not be processed.
You will be notified of RTA’s decision within 21 days of receipt of your complete application.
If you have questions, please call RTA at (805) 781-4833.
OFFICE USE ONLY
Application Revised August 2010
Complete Application Received Date _________ Form Reviewed Date ___________
Eligibility Approved YES ___ NO ___ Exp. _______ Entered in System Date ___________
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Page | 2 of 5
Does your disability prevent you from using the fixed route bus service by yourself?
Yes No
What is the name of the disability or condition(s) that prevent(s) you from using the
regular (fixed route) bus?
Please explain how your disability or condition prevents you from using the fixed route
bus?
Do you use a service animal?
Yes No
If YES, what type of service animal is it and what task was the animal trained to perform?
Do you use any of the following mobility aids (check all that apply)?
Manual Wheelchair Cane Powered Scooter
Powered Wheelchair Walker Portable Oxygen
Other, Please explain: ______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Will you travel with a Personal Care Attendant?
No, Never Yes, Always
Sometimes
Explain:
PART 2: INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Page | 3 of 5
Be sure to answer all questions on this page completely.
What is the closest bus stop to your home? (Please give an intersection)
______________________________________________________________________________
Can you get to the bus stop nearest to your home by yourself?
Yes No
If no, why not? ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Can you walk ¾ of a mile or more by yourself? Or can you propel yourself ¾ of a mile by
yourself in a wheelchair if you use a wheelchair?
Yes No
If no, please explain: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a visual impairment that prevents you from seeing/recognizing your bus
and/or destination?
Yes No
If yes, please describe your visual impairment:______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Can you understand and follow directions to get to your destination?
Yes No
If no, please explain: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Are you able to board a bus equipped with a wheelchair lift or that has the capability of
lowering the front steps?
Yes No
If no, please explain: ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
PART 3: INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL ABILITIES
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Page | 4 of 5
I understand that the purpose of this application is to determine if I am eligible for RTA’s
Runabout paratransit services and that RTA staff may need to talk to me later to get more
information. Additionally, I understand that eligibility for ADA paratransit certification is
based only on my functional abilities as they relate to accessing and riding the fixed route
bus services; I understand that disability and/or age do NOT automatically make me
eligible for paratransit certification.
By signing this application, I certify that I have been truthful in answering this form and
that the information provided is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that
falsification of this information could result in a loss of ADA certification.
____________________________________________ _____________________________
Signature Date
I authorize the following professional to release to RTA information about my disability
and health condition and its effect on my ability to travel on RTA buses. I understand that
RTA staff may need to contact my medical professional later to get more information.
All medical information, which you or your healthcare professional provide, will be kept
confidential to the extent permitted under the law except that information may be shared
with other professionals or agencies involved in the determination of your eligibility.
____________________________________________ _____________________________
Signature Date
Name of person giving assistance: ________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ______ ZIP: _______________________
Phone (Home): ______________________________ (Work): __________________________
Relationship to Applicant: ______________________________________________________
PART 4: APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
PART 5: APPLICANT AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION
PART 6: TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF ANOTHER PERSON HELPED THE APPLICANT IN THE
COMPLETION OF THIS FORM.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESIONAL
The Applicant, _______________________________ (write the applicant’s name), has indicated
that you can provide information regarding his/her health condition and its impact on his/her
ability to utilize the fixed route transit system. Federal law requires that all transit entities
operating a public fixed route transit system must provide a comparable paratransit service to
persons who cannot utilize available fixed route services due to disability. The information you
provide will allow RTA to appropriately evaluate this application.
When you have completed this page, return the ORIGINAL copy to the Applicant. They will
submit this application to the Regional Transit Authority. No copies, faxes, or incomplete
applications will be processed.
Thank you for your cooperation.
The following questions must be answered in order for the application to be processed.
Question #1 Have you treated the Applicant?
Yes No
Question #2 Are you familiar with the Applicant’s functional abilities?
Yes No
Question #3 Is the Applicant functionally prevented from riding on the normal
fixed-route bus service because of a disability or health condition?
Yes No
If the answer to Question #3 is YES, please complete the following:
State the Applicant’s disability/health condition (all that apply):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
The expected duration of the Applicant’s disability/condition is: __________________________
The Applicant’s health condition prevents them from (check all that apply):
_____ Navigating the system (knowing when/where to board/disembark)
_____ Riding in a vehicle that is not lift equipped
_____ Travelling independently to and from bus stops.
Name/Title: ___________________________________________________________________
Office Address: _______________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________ State: _________ ZIP: __________________
Office Telephone Number: ______________________________________________________
License/Certification Number: ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________ _____________________________
Signature Date
PART 7: MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ADA complementary paratransit?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal Law that requires public transit agencies that provide
fixed‐route service to provide “complementary (equivalent) paratransit” services to people with disabilities
who cannot use the fixed‐route bus because of a disability. ADA complementary paratransit service must be
provided within 3/4 of a mile of a bus route, at the same hours and days, for no more than twice the regular
fixed route fare.
What is Runabout?
Runabout is the name of the ADA Paratransit Service for San Luis Obispo County. Runabout is an “origin to
destination” service, meaning that Runabout will take riders directly from their starting location to their
destination and back, if required. Riders will be given a “window” of time during which they must be ready to
be picked up. A Runabout vehicle may arrive anytime during that “window”. Runabout drivers will assist
passengers in getting on and off the bus; however they are not permitted to cross the threshold of any
personal residence.
How do I schedule my rides?
Riders may make reservations up to seven (7) days in advance (recommended), but no later than 5:00 PM the
day before their planned trip. To make a reservation, please call Runabout Dispatch at (805) 541‐2544
between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, seven days a week.
How much does Runabout cost?
The cost of a trip on Runabout is twice the cost of the same trip if it were taken on the fixed‐route system. For
specific trip pricing, please call 541‐2544. For your convenience, Punch Passes, good for thirty dollars ($30)
worth of rides, can be purchased and used on Runabout.
Can I have an attendant or companion?
Runabout clients are allowed to have one (1) free personal care attendant (PCA). A PCA can be anyone that
assists the rider; however PCA’s cannot be in a wheelchair. Anyone traveling as a companion without
providing needed assistance to the client must pay the full fare. Additionally, if there is a second PCA, that
person is also required to pay a full fare. If you will be travelling with a PCA, be sure to tell the dispatcher that
this will be the case. Children six years old and younger are allowed to ride for free with a paying adult.
Who can ride Runabout?
The ADA requires that paratransit rides be provided to all eligible riders if requested within seven (7) days
prior to their requested trip (up to 5:00 PM the previous day). Anyone can ride Runabout; it is available to the
General Public. However only riders who meet the criteria specified by the ADA and have been certified as
eligible will have a guaranteed ride.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for ADA certification?
The ADA law mandates that paratransit be made available to those persons whose disability PREVENTS them
from using accessible fixed‐route bus services.
• This does not include people who find it uncomfortable, inconvenient or somewhat difficult to get to
or from fixed route bus services.
• Persons do not qualify for ADA certification automatically because they have a disability or due to
age.
• ADA certification is based on a person’s functional (physical or cognitive) limitations in riding or
reaching the fixed‐route system. There are three specific categories of eligibility used in determining
a person’s functional limitations.
What Are the Three
Categories of Eligibility?
Category 1
People who can't navigate or
travel on the bus, even if it's
accessible, because of a
disability.
This category includes people
who are unable, due to a
mental or physical impairment
(including a vision impairment),
to board, ride, or disembark
from an accessible bus without
assistance.
Category 2
People who need an accessible
bus
This category includes people
who use wheelchairs (and other
people with disabilities) who
can use an accessible vehicle
but who want to travel on a
route that is still inaccessible.
All RTA’s fixed‐route buses are
ADA compliant and accessible.
Category 3
People who can’t
independently reach the bus
stops due to the effects of a
disability‐related condition
This category includes people
who have a specific disability‐
related condition that prevents
them from traveling to a
boarding location or from a
disembarking location.
How Do I Get Certified?
Applications can be found on our website www.slorta.org or by calling (805) 781‐4833 to have one mailed.
Fill out the Runabout Application (the first four pages are applicant information to be filled out by the
applicant or a representative. The fifth page is to be filled out by a medical professional or case worker familiar
with the applicant and their condition). Completed original applications must be submitted by mail to the RTA
office (179 Cross Street, Suite A, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). RTA will review and process the application, and
the applicant will be notified of a decision within twenty‐one (21) days of RTA’s receipt of the application.
If you have any remaining questions about ADA paratransit, Runabout, or the application process, please call
RTA administration at: (805) 781‐4833
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