1 / 16

Keeping Harris County

Keeping Harris County. Moving. Background. Transit needs study in 1999-2000 Commissioned by H-GAC and Harris County Transportation Coordinated Council Assessed needs and resources in Harris County Recommended a user-side subsidy voucher model using curb-to-curb

caitlyn-kinnerk
Download Presentation

Keeping Harris County

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. KeepingHarris County Moving .

  2. Background • Transit needs study in • 1999-2000 • Commissioned by H-GAC and Harris County Transportation • Coordinated Council • Assessed needs and resources in Harris County • Recommended a user-side subsidy voucher model using curb-to-curb • demand response service • Identified Service needs outside of METROLift area and fill in gaps within • Metro where service was unavailable or inaccessible • 2003 Model implemented as pilot project • Based on Coordination

  3. Program Overview • Administered by Harris County Community Services Department - Transit Division • Target market – seniors, low-income, and persons with disabilities • Service area – incorporated and unincorporated areas of Harris County and fill gaps within METRO Lift service area • Subsidized trips for non-emergency transportation • Demand response service • Mobility Management – Beyond ADA - Ambassador Service

  4. Program Coordination • Harris County METROLift • Local Agencies • Local transportation providers • Local Municipalities in unincorporated areas of Harris County • Other Harris County & City of Houston Agencies

  5. Transit Coordination Rides coordinates with MetroLift • Through Public Information and Referral Process (websites linked) • Harris County Transit Services has a joint venture with METRO to provide Commuter Park and Ride Services from locations outside of METRO’s service areas • Harris County Transit Services coordinates with local municipalities to close gaps in service by implementing community “fixed routes” where METRO is unavailable

  6. Assist with: Customer enrollment/intake Customer education Ticket purchases (at discounted price) 16 Agencies: HHS Agencies Municipal SeniorPrograms Adult Day Centers Women Shelters Community Non-Profits Agency Coordination

  7. Agency Coordination • Assist with customer in-take and education • Purchase tickets to distribute to clients at no charge to the client • or • Purchase tickets and charge a discounted • amount no more than $3.00 each • Tickets are valued each at $6.00 in fares

  8. Customer Services • Nine contracts with transportation providers • Two points of customer intake • Through RIDES • Through participating agencies • Two choices of transportation modes Shared-ride van services – 5 Providers Taxi service- 4 Providers

  9. Rider Characteristics • Primary destinations - medical and shopping • 65% of riders are persons age 60+ • 58% have an income below $15,000 • 25% make all of their trips using RIDES • If no RIDES: • 39% would get a ride from other people • 28% would not travel without RIDES

  10. Program Statistics • Over 4,000 clients registered in client database • Delivered over 63,000 trips in 2008 • Total Program Trips to date 245,000 • Average cost per trip - $19.00 • Average trip length - 13 miles

  11. Blended Funding • Federal Funding: - Section 5310 Elderly and Disabled - FTA 5307 Formula Funding - FTA 5317 New Freedom • Voucher Sales • Potential Funding – Private Sectors

  12. Highlights • Implementation of a web-based application for data entry for provider and agency use • Identified as Best Practice in 13 County H-GAC Regional Coordination in 2007 • 2005 “Outstanding Innovation” award in Community Improvement category from Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation

  13. Program Benefits Flexibility • Utilizing decentralized scheduling to reduce overhead • Customer chooses best transportation provider for them • Taxi-cab option provides expanded service hour coverage • Agreements with participating agencies are informal • Not free… but subsidized • Affordable way for participating agencies to provide transportation • Aid small transportation providers with marketing and customer base growth

  14. Next Steps • Implement Electronic Card technology to replace paper ticket fare structure • Continue coordination with Agencies • Coordinate with other Transit Agencies to develop connectivity beyond Harris County line

  15. Contact Information RIDES 8410 Lantern Point Drive Houston, TX 77054 713 368-RIDE (368-7433) www.harriscountyrides.com Vernon Chambers – Program Mgr 713 578-2204

  16. KeepingHarris County Moving .

More Related