Agricultural Industries Transportation Services Project

August 9, 1999 a tragic accident took the lives of 13 farm workers near Five Points

The fact is many farm workers have no vehicle. They are …. Forced to ride with others They often pay exorbitant fees Most vehicles are unsafe, under insured and are driven by unqualified drivers. Forced to ride with others They often pay exorbitant fees Most vehicles are unsafe, under insured and are driven by unqualified drivers.

Within 2 months of the Five Points accident, government and transportation officials began looking for solutions. They … Held hearings Hosted forums seeking solutions Conducted fact-finding meetings Held hearings Hosted forums seeking solutions Conducted fact-finding meetings

The goal was defined: To provide qualified agricultural workers with affordable vehicles they could use to drive themselves and others to work.

A one-time grant from State and Federal funds was awarded to Kings County Area Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA) to set-up a program and purchase vans.

April, 2002: AITS was launched 123 new 15-passenger vans were purchased

The program would provide: New 15-passenger vans 2M insurance policy on each van GPS on each van Emergency equipment Gas card for driver Inspection by Highway Patrol New 15-passenger vans 2M insurance policy on each van GPS on each van Emergency equipment Gas card for driver Inspection by Highway Patrol

Vanpool Drivers Volunteers working in the ag industry Have a Class C license Pass a Class B physical Provide clean DMV driving record Volunteers working in the ag industry Have a Class C license Pass a Class B physical Provide clean DMV driving record

Vanpool Passengers: Pay a monthly fee based on mileage Serves as back up drivers Can contact AITS staff with any concerns about the program Pay a monthly fee based on mileage Serves as back up drivers Can contact AITS staff with any concerns about the program

Rider Payments are used to: Cover van maintenance Fuel costs Insurance Administrative costs Cover van maintenance Fuel costs Insurance Administrative costs

Marketing the AITS program: Direct marketing to employers Video and DVD presentations Paycheck stuffers Newsletter inserts Media press conferences Direct marketing to employers Video and DVD presentations Paycheck stuffers Newsletter inserts Media press conferences Paid advertising on radio & television AITS personnel set up presentations at swap meets, special events, etc. to reach potential drivers and riders Paid advertising on radio & television AITS personnel set up presentations at swap meets, special events, etc. to reach potential drivers and riders

The AITS program cost employers nothing but has become a benefit to them.

Angela O’Blenis Director of Human Resources Paramount Farms I would recommend the AITS program to other employers. It’s taken so little of our time and our employees have been so happy with this program. Angela O’Blenis Director of Human Resources Paramount Farms I would recommend the AITS program to other employers. It’s taken so little of our time and our employees have been so happy with this program. Josefina Mora AITS Rider The AITS program has helped me financially, because it has saved me $100 a month. Besides, I don’t have to use my car. Josefina Mora AITS Rider The AITS program has helped me financially, because it has saved me $100 a month. Besides, I don’t have to use my car.

Benefits to Participants: Safe and reliable transportation for employees Increases on time performance and attendance Employees save money on transportation costs Gives employees a new sense of pride and well being Safe and reliable transportation for employees Increases on time performance and attendance Employees save money on transportation costs Gives employees a new sense of pride and well being

AITS Success AITS now operates nearly 100 vans Each van carries up to 15 people Today the programs operate in 5 counties: Kings County Tulare County Fresno County Madera County and Kern County AITS now operates nearly 100 vans Each van carries up to 15 people Today the programs operate in 5 counties: Kings County Tulare County Fresno County Madera County and Kern County

KCAPTA Introduces

KART Vanpool program provides vans for employees of 8 correctional facilities

KART Vanpools benefit prison employees Prison employees receive a rebate of up to $65/month They save on transportation costs plus the wear & tear on their own vehicles Some vans operate 24/7 serving 3 shifts per day allowing employees the option to work more than one shift

Managing the AITS - KART Vanpool Programs Eight full time people handle The day to day operations of the vanpool programs

Outside Support Routine maintenance and minor repairs are accomplished on site by local dealer Routine detailing of vans are performed on location for driver/rider convenience Window repair and replacement also performed on site

The people behind the programs Each program has a transit coordinator and support staff The office staff support the operations through use of a GPS system, radio communication with all vans Staff can be reached via radio or phone 24/7 if problems arise

The Results … Programs operate over 200 vans Transports over 2,000 people per month Eliminates 240,000 vehicle trips Eliminates 38M miles of travel Prevents 58 injuries or fatalities Saves participants $7,500 ea Total indirect savings of 34M per year

What’s Next? Establish South Valley RideShare website for the purpose of...

What’s Next? Establish South Valley RideShare website for the purpose of... Providing networking between drivers and riders Promoting ridesharing, vanpooling and carpooling Promote public transportation in the 5 county area