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IATR CONFERENCE 2007

IATR CONFERENCE 2007. BEST PRACTICES IN MANAGING ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB PROGRAMS Facilitated by: SUSAN JONES City of Ottawa, Ontario. OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S SESSION. 360 Review Survey Summary Current Initiatives Industry Perspective Political Perspective Government Initiatives.

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IATR CONFERENCE 2007

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  1. IATR CONFERENCE 2007 BEST PRACTICES IN MANAGING ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB PROGRAMS Facilitated by: SUSAN JONES City of Ottawa, Ontario

  2. OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S SESSION • 360 Review • Survey Summary • Current Initiatives • Industry Perspective • Political Perspective • Government Initiatives

  3. SURVEY RESULTS • Number of Accessible Taxicabs • 82% of Cities that reported have accessible taxicab service • Ranges from 2-21,500

  4. THE LONDON MODEL • City of London • Only City that has a fully accessible fleet • 21,500 accessible taxicabs • How did they get there?

  5. THE LONDON MODEL • Feb 1, 1989 Department of Transport orders all new taxis to be fully accessible. • Jan 1, 2000, all taxis must be fully accessible.

  6. THE LONDON MODEL • 12 Year lead time gave adequate time for vehicle manufacturers to build and comply with the new standards. • Only London achieved this standard.

  7. THE LONDON MODEL • CHALLENGES • Current taxi model has not kept up with the construction and variety of mobility aid devices. • English jurisdictions outside London have a variety of different standards.

  8. ACCESSIBLE TAXI PROGRAMS IN NORTH AMERICA • 350 total accessible cabs in the Cities that responded. • 22 accessible cabs on average per City. • Los Angeles 177, Montreal 150 • New York , Ottawa, Vancouver to expand fleet. • Atlanta, Washington Airport Authority have no accessible cabs.

  9. Most Cities that have accessible taxis ensure that they are used only for on demand purposes. Other Cities such as Toronto allocate the majority 90/92 to their Para-transit programs. London allocate 3000 of their fleet for this purpose. HOW MANY ARE AVAILABLE AS AN ON DEMAND SERVICE

  10. Taxicab Companies Public Carriage Office Chauffeurs Purchaser Carrier Individual license holder Brokers/Dispatchers Franchises Partly by Brokerage, partly by individual owners Individual Drivers WHO OWNS THE ACCESSIBLE PLATES

  11. ARE ACCESSIBLE CABS TRANSFERABLE? Of the cities who responded 50% Yes 30% Non-transferable 1 Yes, but only after five years 1 – Did not specify

  12. HOW MANY ARE EXPERIENCING SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES? Of the cities who have accessible service: • 65% reported that they have encountered Service Delivery Problems. • 35% said no service issues.

  13. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES? • Companies do not want to respond to on-demand service calls. They want calls pre-arranged 24 hours in advance. • Not enough service thereby causing difficulty in customers being able to obtain accessible vehicles when needed.

  14. WHAT ARE THE SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES? • Wait times can be long. • Drivers avoid these trips due to load times. • Drivers go out of their way to take regular fares versus accessible calls. • No demand during regular service hours. • Accessible drivers do not work weekends and nights.

  15. WHAT ARE THE SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES? • Vehicles • Expensive to buy • Expensive to operate/longer to serve accessible fare vs. standard fare • Limited return on Investment • Supply is limited • No replacement vehicles when cab is undergoing mechanical work

  16. WHAT ARE CITIES DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE? • Pressure given to larger companies to increase the number of accessible vehicles in their fleets. • Centralized dispatching • GPS Technology • Cameras

  17. WHAT ARE CITIES DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE? • New Accessible Vehicle specifications to replace inferior accessible vehicles. • Auction of new medallions to be used on new approved vehicles • Grant money

  18. WHAT ARE CITIES DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE? • Requirement that 15% of each fleet is accessible (Vancouver). • Studies being conducted on best way to handle delivery of services. • Promoting the importance of meeting on-demand service requirements.

  19. WHAT ARE CITIES DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE? • Drivers receive Sensitivity Training for Disable/refresher course every five years • Incentives related to permit availability • Proposals to issue additional plates • Ottawa to consider requiring all cabs to be accessible by 2020

  20. WHAT INCENTIVES DOES YOUR MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE TO ENCOURAGE THE TAXI INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SERVICE? • Initial medallion fees for accessible taxicabs are lower than standard fees. 50% of all medallions issued are to be accessible. • Discounted bids for accessible vehicle-specific medallion licenses. • Lower license fees, lower cost medallions.

  21. WHAT INCENTIVES DOES YOUR MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE TO ENCOURAGE THE TAXI INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SERVICE? • Attempting to bring Dial-A-Ride and Taxi card Services into an integrated, unified Service

  22. Taxi Coupon Pilot Project (Ottawa) Known as Taxi Script Available to Para Transpo Customers Only Customer requires a city issued identification card Customer pays $24 for $40 taxi fare coupon book Customer can take family or friends with them Service available on demand Taxi Driver fully compensated by City Saves $ for City Added income for taxi drivers WHAT ARE CITIES DOING TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB SERVICE?

  23. WHAT INCENTIVES DOES YOUR MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE TO ENCOURAGE THE TAXI INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SERVICE? • Age Restriction lower for regular taxis than accessible cabs. • Drivers can purchase/operate vehicles without paying lease fees.

  24. WHAT INCENTIVES DOES YOUR MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE TO ENCOURAGE THE TAXI INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SERVICE? • Lower license fees • Lower renewal fees • Waived annual license fee. • Free Vehicle Maintenance Contracts

  25. WHAT INCENTIVES DOES YOUR MUNICIPALITY PROVIDE TO ENCOURAGE THE TAXI INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE SERVICE? • Companies granted additional vehicle authorities to provide this service. • Plate Holders promised additional Para Transportation work thereby increasing their income.

  26. CLOSING COMMENTS • We still have a long way to go. • All stakeholders play an important role and have to do their part. • Taxi Industry need to understand the importance and benefits in serving the disabled community. • All levels of Government need to coordinate efforts to support the industry and to promote consistent and effective regulations. • Automobile Industry needs to build and supply a sustainable, affordable and viable accessible taxicab.

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