Keeping Harris County Moving A Coordinated Approach.

Background Transportation needs study in Need identified by community stakeholders Additional transportation options needed to fill in the gaps where Public transportation was not available or insufficient. x Harris County Coordinating Council formed: - Health and Human Service Agencies - City and County government - Transportation Providers Study assessed need and existing resources in Harris County - Agency transportation dollars - Available providers with dispatch systems

Study Outcome Needed neutral body to administer pilot to service all of Harris County Service population– seniors, people with low-income without alternate transportation, and persons with disabilities Type of service needed – non emergency Service area – unincorporated areas of Harris County, focus on area of most need Objective for recommendation: Identify the most cost effective and expedient system to implement Recommendation: User-side subsidy voucher model, using curb-to-curb demand response service Rides started in October 2003

Components of Rides Voucher Program Administration – Harris County Rides Transportation Providers (9) Partner Agencies (19) Vouchers – payment structure -10 vouchers per book - 50% co-pay; 50% subsidy - $5.00 face value each voucher - non-transferable - expiration date determined by Rides

Customer Eligibility Customer Application based on eligibility – one of three: - Age 60 or over ( proof of age required) - Disabled ( proof of disability) - HUD Low income guidelines – (proof of income ) Enrollment – two methods: - direct enrollment through Rides - enrollment with one of Partner agencies Vouchers distributed at time of enrollment & co-pay collected Passenger Guidelines distributed

Voucher Trip Types No Trip purpose priority - to work - life skills training - grocery shopping - pharmacy - medical appointments Each trip is a 1 way trip (Opt round trip) % of current Rides trips are for work/training However…In Approx 13,000 trips provided -Job search and work trips to Katrina evacuees

Work Trip Expansion New Partner - Workforce Solutions – 7 Workforce Career centers in areas where public transportation is unavailable in outlying areas of the county New source of funding for low-income clients Workforce career centers provide case managers: -conduct in-take & screen for eligibility - distribute vouchers to clients - distribute passenger guidelines - provide customer education on use of vouchers * Rides maybe used as a feeder service to commuter buses where available

Rides Client Provider Client obtains vouchers from Rides or Agency Client pays Provider with vouchers Provider submits vouchers for payment Voucher Flow

Types of Providers Two choices of transportation modes Shared-ride van services: 7 AM -7 PM Taxi service: 24 hrs service Reservations made directly with provider- by client or agency Choice of mode - Provides flexibility to customer (after hours and weekend service)

Provider Contracts Formal contracts with providers (9) Selected by Competitive Process – RFP Scope of Service outlined in RFP based on Passenger Guidelines Payment rates established by Harris County (Rides) Includes FTA Certifications and Assurances Rides monitors for compliance: - drivers - insurance - vehicle maintenance

Workforce Solutions – low in-come/to work and job search Social Service Block Grant (SSBG)– low-income Katrina Hurricane special funding – special grant FTA/ Section 5307 Formula Funding – can be used for all eligibilities United Way and Care for Elders – Special New Freedom Project (cash match and in-kind services) Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Control (CMAQ) 3 year support limit Area Agency on Aging/City of Houston – 4 year contract Texas Department of Transportation – FTA Section 5310 Elderly & Disabled Partner Agency Support – Purchase of vouchers for clients - provides local match Multiple Funding Sources

Work and job search trips – most use taxi service Importance of customer education Pricing of vouchers delicate balance Funding challenges Paper Vouchers are cumbersome/labor intensive Lessons Learned

RIDES 1001 Preston, Suite 410 Houston, TX RIDE ( ) Project Director- Vernon Chambers Direct Number: Contact Information