Innovative Fare Programs for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

1. Innovative Fare Programs for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Scott Wisner Customer Service Manager

2. Background • Rising paratransit expenses and limited funding sources were the impetus behind new programs • Many elderly or disabled customers can use fixed route or alternative transportation options • Alternatives are cheaper and in many cases better options • Political support to implement new ideas using technology to drive interest • Implemented in-person ADA assessment process which provided methodology to reduce costs

3. Platinum Pass Program • Must be ADA certified • Must reside in city that has agreed to participate • 12 out of 16 cities currently participate • Free fixed route trips region wide • Local bus and Rail, Link, Express and Rapid • Valley Metro subsidizes transportation expenses

4. Pass Conditions • Photo ID and fare card • Proximity card assigned to individual • Cards are valid for 2 years • Available to customer and PCA

5. Statistics

6. Electronic Fare Payment Program • Valuable transportation alternative for seniors and persons with disabilities • Customers take private taxi rides to go to appointments, run errands, or to visit friends and family • Less expensive alternative than Dial-a-Ride • $10 to $20 per trip • Program participation has increased each of the past five years

7. Program Options • Coupon for Cab Program • Customer pays a portion of the cab fare; participating cities subsidize the remainder • 25%/75% split • Customers must use taxi companies that accept coupons or vouchers for payment • Medical Voucher Program • Life sustaining medical treatment • Dialysis • Chemotherapy • Trips must originate from home to treatment center • Participating cities pay 100% of transportation costs

8. Current Administrative Process • Contractor staff mails coupons and vouchers to customers on a monthly basis • Coupons and vouchers are used to pay the actual cab fare for each trip (including gratuity) • Redeemed coupons and vouchers are counted by hand and submitted for reimbursement by participating taxi providers • Contractor provides usage reports and invoices to Valley Metro on a monthly basis • Valley Metro reimburses Contractor for program administration and transportation costs on a monthly basis • Valley Metro reconciles program costs with participating cities annually

9. Current Agreement with Contractor Expires June 30 • November—Issued Request for Proposal to select new contractor to administer program • Required proposing firms to provide electronic fare payment system to pay cab fares and track program usage • Received one proposal—Creative Software Solutions • Proposal met all criteria in RFP

10. Electronic Fare Payment System • Replaces coupons and vouchers • Customers provided with stored value card that can be reloaded quickly and securely: • Internet • Phone • Mail • Customer swipes card in cab at beginning and end of trip • Receipt provides fare paid and available card balance • All trip and fare information available in real time

11. Cost and Budget • Lower overall solution than current administrative expenses • Contractor is required to establish agreements with private taxi providers • Program funded by participating cities and grant funds

12. Questions? Scott Wisner 602-251-2021 swisner@valleymetro.org