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Welcome To…. Palm Tran . Topics of Discussion:. The challenges of Mobility Devices in Transit Multi-Loading to Control Costs. Passenger safety is our first priority. Operators have been trained to secure mobility devices safely, effectively, and quickly to prevent schedule delays. However….
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Welcome To… Palm Tran
Topics of Discussion: • The challenges of Mobility Devices in Transit • Multi-Loading to Control Costs
Passenger safety is our first priority. Operators have been trained to secure mobility devices safely, effectively, and quickly to prevent schedule delays. However…
According to the ADA, public buses with lifts or ramps must transport mobility aids that: • Have three or more wheels • Are manual or powered • Are not more than 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length, including footrests and belongings and do not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied
Palm Tran will transport all mobility devices as long as the lift can accommodate the size and weight of the wheelchair and its user and there is space for the devise on the vehicle. How do we do this?
We Identified the Problems • Mobility devices are extremely diverse and difficult to safely secure in Transit Vehicles • Large Wheelchairs and Scooters cannot fit on standard vehicles • User Manuals state Mobility Devices are not made for use in Transit Vehicles • Some riders do not use Lap Belts and ride without Footrests • There are no solutions without going above and beyond
Palm Tran’s initiative: • We do not deny any trips. • Our current fleet consists of 100% ADA wheelchair accessible vehicles. • We have vehicles that exceed the ADA requirements with a wide wheelchair lift or ramp that has 34 inches of useable platform width and a minimum 800 pound weight capacity. • Reserve 2 wheelchair spots on one vehicle to accommodate wide Wheelchairs/Scooters.
Palm Tran’s initiative (Cont.): • Riders are not transported without Shoulder Harness, Footrests and Lap belt • Utilize a four-point securement system for mobility devices on all buses. The securement system is self-tightening to prevent any slack in the straps which will keep the mobility device stationary. • Staff visits Riders to measure Mobility Devices and suggests proper placement of securement systems and ensure reservation of proper vehicle.
NATIONAL TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY REQUEST • To complete the online National Transit Accessibility Survey, please go to the following: • For Wheeled Mobility Device manufacturers, importers, vendors and distributors • http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mobility • For Transit Agencies • http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/paratransit • For Wheeled Mobility Device Users • http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mydevice
Multi-Loading The greatest cost savings achieved in paratransit is by multi-loading passengers. The productivity of the Palm Tran’s service has improved by over 54% and has essentially, kept us within budget. A major milestone of 1.85 passengers per revenue hour was reached in February 2012.
How Do We Do it? • Encourage Riders to use subscriptions for reoccurring trips • Maintain an anchored level for all subscription trips of 95% or better • Work with Hab Centers, Senior Centers and other destinations to establish set pickup and drop off times to encourage multi-loading • Establish safe and convenient common locations at highly traveled areas (ie. Malls, Hospitals, etc.) • No-Show and cancel policy to discourage the scheduling of unnecessary trips. • Inviting the drivers in to review their routes and use that dialogue to improve the routing.
