It's Time to Rethink How We Do Transit

What is ADA Paratransit? How Does Delaware Compare Nationally? Where Do We Go From Here? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transit in the First State ensures individuals with disabilities comparable The amount Delaware spends on paratransit To meet these challenges, DTC is exploring transportation within ¾ mile of a local fixed services vs. fixed route service is reversed in The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is the every option in order to establish a “right fit” route, if they are unable to use the fixed comparison to national averages. Currently, agency responsible for operating DART First State. transit system that can meet the needs of its route service independently. Currently, DART DART offers paratransit service that far exceeds DART’s three major services are fixed route bus, customers while operating within a realistic provides paratransit service to disabled Federal requirements and is not delivered DART Facts Americans with Disabilities framework that can be maintained over individuals statewide, regardless of location. consistently. Nationally, transit systems spend an Act (ADA) paratransit and ■ 70 total routes the long haul and expanded in response to Many of these service requests come from average of 10.9% of their budget on paratransit. commuter rail. ■ • 44 New Castle County growing demand. areas outside ADA established corridors. In Delaware, 45.4% of DART’s budget is ■ • 14 Kent County spent on paratransit. This service model is not This is where you can help. DTC is looking to At DTC, we understand ■ • 2 Sussex County / 8 resort (seasonal) sustainable and can ultimately jeopardize transit work cooperatively with customers, officials, the importance of a safe, ■ • 2 Intercounty service for all customers statewide. stakeholders and other Delaware citizens in convenient and efficient ■ Fiscal Year 2012 Ridership order to set goals and define reforms that will public transportation system. ■ • 12.8 million trips systemwide enable us to develop a sustainable transit DART Expenditures vs. National Average Public transit connects us with the ■ • 10.6 million fixed route bus trips service that works for everyone. places we want to go while giving ■ • Nearly 1 million paratransit trips us independence, flexibility and Rail ■ • 1.2 million SEPTA Delaware train trips the ability to live, work and play in 8.0% ■ Over 500 revenue vehicles communities throughout the First Contact Us State. ■ Over 900 employees Fixed Interested individuals may provide comments ADA service Route ■ 3 operating unions 46.6% We want to improve by mail to: area ■ 4 operating facilities It’s Time to Paratransit DART transit services to DART Right Fit Transit 45.4% create more convenient ■ 2 administrative offices 900 Public Safety Boulevard Rethink How transportation options for Dover, DE 19901 Outside ADA service area all Delawareans. We Do Transit 1-800-652-DART (3278), option 2 DART [email protected] www.DartFirstState.com We welcome your input in redesigning a “right fit” transit Rail system that is both effective and 17.1% sustainable for years to come.

Para- Fixed transit Route 10.9% 72.0%

National What is ADA Paratransit? How Does Delaware Compare Nationally? Where Do We Go From Here? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transit in the First State ensures individuals with disabilities comparable The amount Delaware spends on paratransit To meet these challenges, DTC is exploring transportation within ¾ mile of a local fixed services vs. fixed route service is reversed in The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is the every option in order to establish a “right fit” route, if they are unable to use the fixed comparison to national averages. Currently, agency responsible for operating DART First State. transit system that can meet the needs of its route service independently. Currently, DART DART offers paratransit service that far exceeds DART’s three major services are fixed route bus, customers while operating within a realistic provides paratransit service to disabled Federal requirements and is not delivered DART Facts Americans with Disabilities framework that can be maintained over individuals statewide, regardless of location. consistently. Nationally, transit systems spend an Act (ADA) paratransit and ■ 70 total routes the long haul and expanded in response to Many of these service requests come from average of 10.9% of their budget on paratransit. commuter rail. ■ • 44 New Castle County growing demand. areas outside ADA established corridors. In Delaware, 45.4% of DART’s budget is ■ • 14 Kent County spent on paratransit. This service model is not This is where you can help. DTC is looking to At DTC, we understand ■ • 2 Sussex County / 8 resort (seasonal) sustainable and can ultimately jeopardize transit work cooperatively with customers, officials, the importance of a safe, ■ • 2 Intercounty service for all customers statewide. stakeholders and other Delaware citizens in convenient and efficient ■ Fiscal Year 2012 Ridership order to set goals and define reforms that will public transportation system. ■ • 12.8 million trips systemwide enable us to develop a sustainable transit DART Expenditures vs. National Average Public transit connects us with the ■ • 10.6 million fixed route bus trips service that works for everyone. places we want to go while giving ■ • Nearly 1 million paratransit trips us independence, flexibility and Rail ■ • 1.2 million SEPTA Delaware train trips the ability to live, work and play in 8.0% ■ Over 500 revenue vehicles communities throughout the First Contact Us State. ■ Over 900 employees Fixed Interested individuals may provide comments ADA service Route ■ 3 operating unions 46.6% We want to improve by mail to: area ■ 4 operating facilities It’s Time to Paratransit DART transit services to DART Right Fit Transit 45.4% create more convenient ■ 2 administrative offices 900 Public Safety Boulevard Rethink How transportation options for Dover, DE 19901 Outside ADA service area all Delawareans. We Do Transit 1-800-652-DART (3278), option 2 DART [email protected] www.DartFirstState.com We welcome your input in redesigning a “right fit” transit Rail system that is both effective and 17.1% sustainable for years to come.

Para- Fixed transit Route 10.9% 72.0%

National The Challenges Facing Our Current Transit System Redesigning a “Right Fit” Transit System We are committed to improving the quality and So, we want to work with you…the rider, the Need for New or Expanded Services Constrained Resources efficiency of DART services, and we need meaningful caregiver, the community, the service agency, Providing Good Paratransit Over the past several years, the demand for both DTC has maintained the same fare rates in input from the public to do that. From our perspective, the public…to come up with ideas that will DART’s bus and paratransit services in Delaware New Castle County that were in place back in Service at a Reasonable Cost here are some options we can consider: help improve public transportation for all. DART is your service and we are committed has continually increased. This ongoing demand 1989 without an increase in 24 years. Over that DTC, like transit agencies across the country, has areas and leave a large population without ■ Expand service hours and service areas, and to improving the ride for all transit customers. has caused service challenges contributing to same period the cost of most other commodities been affected by the rising costs of paratransit adequate mobility and transportation options. offer more frequent service, to provide better decreased performance and the inability to expand and services has doubled and in many cases service. Because paratransit typically carries 1-2 We need to work with customers on plans to access to jobs, shopping, school and other services. Proposals for new or expanded fixed route tripled. This has placed an additional burden on passengers per trip compared to a regular bus redesign services, expand options and improve destinations services have been delayed for several years due to maintaining quality service while adjusting to that could carry 30 or more passengers, costs performance. ■ Create alternatives to meet transit demands lack of funds. new and growing demands. for paratransit are even greater than for fixed where there are no fixed route buses now route bus service. That means that one of DTC’s There must be a division of the current statewide biggest challenges is providing good paratransit paratransit model into two distinct and separate ■ Improve performance and rider satisfaction by Price Comparison Chart (1989 vs. 2013) service while keeping costs reasonable. We can services. The first is to deliver the federally- following federal paratransit regulations no longer afford our current policy of serving required ADA paratransit service. The second is ■ Strengthen the paratransit eligibility process to customers regardless of location, travel time or DART Fare $1.15 to provide transportation service to individuals ensure fair access (NCC) capacity demands, and it jeopardizes our ability who live or travel outside the zones where ADA $1.15 ■ Enhance the travel training program to help riders to comply with federal ADA requirements. paratransit service is required. Service guidelines travel more independently Postage $0.46 regarding trips provided outside the ADA Stamp $0.25 While we realize that we can’t continue providing zones must be collaboratively discussed. The DTC must also look at fares. The base bus fare in service without limitations, we understand $3.50 priorities of our riders, leaders and community New Castle County, $1.15, has not increased since Gas how important paratransit is to many people. stakeholders will play a critical role in our future 1989. Kent County and Sussex County fares are only $0.98 2013 It isn’t fair to discontinue service in some plans. $1.00. DART’s bus service is much less expensive $1.65 than other nearby cities, and our fares don’t begin to Bread $0.67 1989 cover our costs for vehicles, maintenance and fuel. $1.84 Eggs Our labor costs have also increased 73% over that $0.98 time. To be good stewards of public funds, we need $3.46 DART Ridership vs. Expense to cover more of our costs. Milk $1.84 Need to Allocate Budget in Proportion to Ridership $0.00 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50 $4.00 Delaware Fares Compared to Surrounding Areas Rail Rail Nationally, transit agencies spend Para- 9.4% 8.0% Location Bus Fare Paratransit Fare almost three-quarters of their transit budget on fixed route transit 7.8% $1.00 in Kent & Sussex Counties Fixed Delaware $1.15 in New Castle County $2.00 which corresponds directly to their Route What is DTC Doing to Provide Quality Public Transportation ridership. In Delaware, fixed route 46.6% Philadelphia, PA $2.25 $4.00 That Makes the Best Use of Every Public Dollar? bus service makes up 82.8% of the Paratransit ridership, using 46.6% of the budget. Fixed Route 45.4% New Jersey $1.50 - $3.80 Varies based on Zones 82.8% Examining the productivity and cost effective- reduce costs. Through continued measuring Conversely, traditional paratransit’s ness of our Corporation is important as we and monitoring, we are identifying savings 7.8% ridership takes up 45.4% of the Washington, D.C. $1.80 $3.60 - $7.00 look to the future. In 2012, DTC implemented based on cost and service inefficiencies budget. Innovative options must be York, PA $1.50 - $2.00 $2.00 - $4.00 a performance management program that can be used to expand transit options developed to provide transportation designed to identify where we need to and services, providing a more effective and alternatives at a lower cost. Ridership Expense Harrisburg, PA $1.75 - $2.35 $3.50 - $5.90 improve performance, increase efficiency and improved transit system. Pittsburgh, PA $2.50 - $3.75 $3.15 - $5.00 The Challenges Facing Our Current Transit System Redesigning a “Right Fit” Transit System We are committed to improving the quality and So, we want to work with you…the rider, the Need for New or Expanded Services Constrained Resources efficiency of DART services, and we need meaningful caregiver, the community, the service agency, Providing Good Paratransit Over the past several years, the demand for both DTC has maintained the same fare rates in input from the public to do that. From our perspective, the public…to come up with ideas that will DART’s bus and paratransit services in Delaware New Castle County that were in place back in Service at a Reasonable Cost here are some options we can consider: help improve public transportation for all. DART is your service and we are committed has continually increased. This ongoing demand 1989 without an increase in 24 years. Over that DTC, like transit agencies across the country, has areas and leave a large population without ■ Expand service hours and service areas, and to improving the ride for all transit customers. has caused service challenges contributing to same period the cost of most other commodities been affected by the rising costs of paratransit adequate mobility and transportation options. offer more frequent service, to provide better decreased performance and the inability to expand and services has doubled and in many cases service. Because paratransit typically carries 1-2 We need to work with customers on plans to access to jobs, shopping, school and other services. Proposals for new or expanded fixed route tripled. This has placed an additional burden on passengers per trip compared to a regular bus redesign services, expand options and improve destinations services have been delayed for several years due to maintaining quality service while adjusting to that could carry 30 or more passengers, costs performance. ■ Create alternatives to meet transit demands lack of funds. new and growing demands. for paratransit are even greater than for fixed where there are no fixed route buses now route bus service. That means that one of DTC’s There must be a division of the current statewide biggest challenges is providing good paratransit paratransit model into two distinct and separate ■ Improve performance and rider satisfaction by Price Comparison Chart (1989 vs. 2013) service while keeping costs reasonable. We can services. The first is to deliver the federally- following federal paratransit regulations no longer afford our current policy of serving required ADA paratransit service. The second is ■ Strengthen the paratransit eligibility process to customers regardless of location, travel time or DART Fare $1.15 to provide transportation service to individuals ensure fair access (NCC) capacity demands, and it jeopardizes our ability who live or travel outside the zones where ADA $1.15 ■ Enhance the travel training program to help riders to comply with federal ADA requirements. paratransit service is required. Service guidelines travel more independently Postage $0.46 regarding trips provided outside the ADA Stamp $0.25 While we realize that we can’t continue providing zones must be collaboratively discussed. The DTC must also look at fares. The base bus fare in service without limitations, we understand $3.50 priorities of our riders, leaders and community New Castle County, $1.15, has not increased since Gas how important paratransit is to many people. stakeholders will play a critical role in our future 1989. Kent County and Sussex County fares are only $0.98 2013 It isn’t fair to discontinue service in some plans. $1.00. DART’s bus service is much less expensive $1.65 than other nearby cities, and our fares don’t begin to Bread $0.67 1989 cover our costs for vehicles, maintenance and fuel. $1.84 Eggs Our labor costs have also increased 73% over that $0.98 time. To be good stewards of public funds, we need $3.46 DART Ridership vs. Expense to cover more of our costs. Milk $1.84 Need to Allocate Budget in Proportion to Ridership $0.00 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50 $4.00 Delaware Fares Compared to Surrounding Areas Rail Rail Nationally, transit agencies spend Para- 9.4% 8.0% Location Bus Fare Paratransit Fare almost three-quarters of their transit budget on fixed route transit 7.8% $1.00 in Kent & Sussex Counties Fixed Delaware $1.15 in New Castle County $2.00 which corresponds directly to their Route What is DTC Doing to Provide Quality Public Transportation ridership. In Delaware, fixed route 46.6% Philadelphia, PA $2.25 $4.00 That Makes the Best Use of Every Public Dollar? bus service makes up 82.8% of the Paratransit ridership, using 46.6% of the budget. Fixed Route 45.4% New Jersey $1.50 - $3.80 Varies based on Zones 82.8% Examining the productivity and cost effective- reduce costs. Through continued measuring Conversely, traditional paratransit’s ness of our Corporation is important as we and monitoring, we are identifying savings 7.8% ridership takes up 45.4% of the Washington, D.C. $1.80 $3.60 - $7.00 look to the future. In 2012, DTC implemented based on cost and service inefficiencies budget. Innovative options must be York, PA $1.50 - $2.00 $2.00 - $4.00 a performance management program that can be used to expand transit options developed to provide transportation designed to identify where we need to and services, providing a more effective and alternatives at a lower cost. Ridership Expense Harrisburg, PA $1.75 - $2.35 $3.50 - $5.90 improve performance, increase efficiency and improved transit system. Pittsburgh, PA $2.50 - $3.75 $3.15 - $5.00 The Challenges Facing Our Current Transit System Redesigning a “Right Fit” Transit System We are committed to improving the quality and So, we want to work with you…the rider, the Need for New or Expanded Services Constrained Resources efficiency of DART services, and we need meaningful caregiver, the community, the service agency, Providing Good Paratransit Over the past several years, the demand for both DTC has maintained the same fare rates in input from the public to do that. From our perspective, the public…to come up with ideas that will DART’s bus and paratransit services in Delaware New Castle County that were in place back in Service at a Reasonable Cost here are some options we can consider: help improve public transportation for all. DART is your service and we are committed has continually increased. This ongoing demand 1989 without an increase in 24 years. Over that DTC, like transit agencies across the country, has areas and leave a large population without ■ Expand service hours and service areas, and to improving the ride for all transit customers. has caused service challenges contributing to same period the cost of most other commodities been affected by the rising costs of paratransit adequate mobility and transportation options. offer more frequent service, to provide better decreased performance and the inability to expand and services has doubled and in many cases service. Because paratransit typically carries 1-2 We need to work with customers on plans to access to jobs, shopping, school and other services. Proposals for new or expanded fixed route tripled. This has placed an additional burden on passengers per trip compared to a regular bus redesign services, expand options and improve destinations services have been delayed for several years due to maintaining quality service while adjusting to that could carry 30 or more passengers, costs performance. ■ Create alternatives to meet transit demands lack of funds. new and growing demands. for paratransit are even greater than for fixed where there are no fixed route buses now route bus service. That means that one of DTC’s There must be a division of the current statewide biggest challenges is providing good paratransit paratransit model into two distinct and separate ■ Improve performance and rider satisfaction by Price Comparison Chart (1989 vs. 2013) service while keeping costs reasonable. We can services. The first is to deliver the federally- following federal paratransit regulations no longer afford our current policy of serving required ADA paratransit service. The second is ■ Strengthen the paratransit eligibility process to customers regardless of location, travel time or DART Fare $1.15 to provide transportation service to individuals ensure fair access (NCC) capacity demands, and it jeopardizes our ability who live or travel outside the zones where ADA $1.15 ■ Enhance the travel training program to help riders to comply with federal ADA requirements. paratransit service is required. Service guidelines travel more independently Postage $0.46 regarding trips provided outside the ADA Stamp $0.25 While we realize that we can’t continue providing zones must be collaboratively discussed. The DTC must also look at fares. The base bus fare in service without limitations, we understand $3.50 priorities of our riders, leaders and community New Castle County, $1.15, has not increased since Gas how important paratransit is to many people. stakeholders will play a critical role in our future 1989. Kent County and Sussex County fares are only $0.98 2013 It isn’t fair to discontinue service in some plans. $1.00. DART’s bus service is much less expensive $1.65 than other nearby cities, and our fares don’t begin to Bread $0.67 1989 cover our costs for vehicles, maintenance and fuel. $1.84 Eggs Our labor costs have also increased 73% over that $0.98 time. To be good stewards of public funds, we need $3.46 DART Ridership vs. Expense to cover more of our costs. Milk $1.84 Need to Allocate Budget in Proportion to Ridership $0.00 $0.50 $1.00 $1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50 $4.00 Delaware Fares Compared to Surrounding Areas Rail Rail Nationally, transit agencies spend Para- 9.4% 8.0% Location Bus Fare Paratransit Fare almost three-quarters of their transit budget on fixed route transit 7.8% $1.00 in Kent & Sussex Counties Fixed Delaware $1.15 in New Castle County $2.00 which corresponds directly to their Route What is DTC Doing to Provide Quality Public Transportation ridership. In Delaware, fixed route 46.6% Philadelphia, PA $2.25 $4.00 That Makes the Best Use of Every Public Dollar? bus service makes up 82.8% of the Paratransit ridership, using 46.6% of the budget. Fixed Route 45.4% New Jersey $1.50 - $3.80 Varies based on Zones 82.8% Examining the productivity and cost effective- reduce costs. Through continued measuring Conversely, traditional paratransit’s ness of our Corporation is important as we and monitoring, we are identifying savings 7.8% ridership takes up 45.4% of the Washington, D.C. $1.80 $3.60 - $7.00 look to the future. In 2012, DTC implemented based on cost and service inefficiencies budget. Innovative options must be York, PA $1.50 - $2.00 $2.00 - $4.00 a performance management program that can be used to expand transit options developed to provide transportation designed to identify where we need to and services, providing a more effective and alternatives at a lower cost. Ridership Expense Harrisburg, PA $1.75 - $2.35 $3.50 - $5.90 improve performance, increase efficiency and improved transit system. Pittsburgh, PA $2.50 - $3.75 $3.15 - $5.00 What is ADA Paratransit? How Does Delaware Compare Nationally? Where Do We Go From Here? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transit in the First State ensures individuals with disabilities comparable The amount Delaware spends on paratransit To meet these challenges, DTC is exploring transportation within ¾ mile of a local fixed services vs. fixed route service is reversed in The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is the every option in order to establish a “right fit” route, if they are unable to use the fixed comparison to national averages. Currently, agency responsible for operating DART First State. transit system that can meet the needs of its route service independently. Currently, DART DART offers paratransit service that far exceeds DART’s three major services are fixed route bus, customers while operating within a realistic provides paratransit service to disabled Federal requirements and is not delivered DART Facts Americans with Disabilities framework that can be maintained over individuals statewide, regardless of location. consistently. Nationally, transit systems spend an Act (ADA) paratransit and ■ 70 total routes the long haul and expanded in response to Many of these service requests come from average of 10.9% of their budget on paratransit. commuter rail. ■ • 44 New Castle County growing demand. areas outside ADA established corridors. In Delaware, 45.4% of DART’s budget is ■ • 14 Kent County spent on paratransit. This service model is not This is where you can help. DTC is looking to At DTC, we understand ■ • 2 Sussex County / 8 resort (seasonal) sustainable and can ultimately jeopardize transit work cooperatively with customers, officials, the importance of a safe, ■ • 2 Intercounty service for all customers statewide. stakeholders and other Delaware citizens in convenient and efficient ■ Fiscal Year 2012 Ridership order to set goals and define reforms that will public transportation system. ■ • 12.8 million trips systemwide enable us to develop a sustainable transit DART Expenditures vs. National Average Public transit connects us with the ■ • 10.6 million fixed route bus trips service that works for everyone. places we want to go while giving ■ • Nearly 1 million paratransit trips us independence, flexibility and Rail ■ • 1.2 million SEPTA Delaware train trips the ability to live, work and play in 8.0% ■ Over 500 revenue vehicles communities throughout the First Contact Us State. ■ Over 900 employees Fixed Interested individuals may provide comments ADA service Route ■ 3 operating unions 46.6% We want to improve by mail to: area ■ 4 operating facilities It’s Time to Paratransit DART transit services to DART Right Fit Transit 45.4% create more convenient ■ 2 administrative offices 900 Public Safety Boulevard Rethink How transportation options for Dover, DE 19901 Outside ADA service area all Delawareans. We Do Transit 1-800-652-DART (3278), option 2 DART [email protected] www.DartFirstState.com We welcome your input in redesigning a “right fit” transit Rail system that is both effective and 17.1% sustainable for years to come.

Para- Fixed transit Route 10.9% 72.0%

National