Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan 2015 Update

AGENCY AREAWIDE AREAWIDE NORTHEAST OHIO NORTHEAST OHIO COORDINATING Cleveland, Ohio 44114 1299 Superior Ave.

2015-2018 Federal Fiscal Years Fiscal Years Federal for Northeast Ohio for Northeast Ohio Transportation Plan Transportation Plan Transit-Human Services Services Transit-Human January 2015 Coordinated Public Public Coordinated

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is a public organization serving the counties of and municipalities and townships within Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina (covering an area with 2.1 million people). NOACA is the agency designated or recognized to perform the following functions:

• Serve as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), with responsibility for comprehensive, cooperative and continuous planning for highways, public transit, and bikeways, as deﬁ ned in the current transportation law. • Perform continuous water quality, transportation-related air quality and other environmental planning functions. • Administer the area clearinghouse function, which includes providing local government with the opportunity to review a wide variety of local or state applications for federal funds. • Conduct transportation and environmental planning and related demographic, economic and land use research. • Serve as an information center for transportation and environmental and related planning. • At NOACA Board of Director direction, provide transportation and environmental planning assistance to the 172 units of local, general purpose government.

NOACA’s Board of Directors is composed of 45 local public ofﬁ cials.

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SPENCERSPENCER TWP.TWP. BriarwoodBriarwood BBeacheach ChippewaChippewa on the Lake WADSWORTHWADSWORTH WESTFIELDWESTFIELD TWTWP.P. GUILFORD TW LODI HOMERHOMER WESTFIELDWESTFIELD For more TWP.TWP. CENTERCENTER HARRISVILLEHARRISVILLE ADSWORTHH SEVILLESEVILLE information, call TWP.TWP. 7171 (216) 241-2414 or log on at www.noaca.org 2015 NOACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OFFICERS

President: Ted Kalo, Assistant Secretary: Richard Heidecker, Commissioner, Lorain County Columbia Township, Lorain County First Vice President: Daniel P. Troy Treasurer: Valarie J. McCall, Commissioner, Lake County Chief of Government & International Affairs, City of Cleveland Second Vice President: Adam Friedrick, Assistant Treasurer: Julius Ciaccia, Jr., Commissioner, Medina County Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Secretary: Armond Budish, Assistant Treasurer: Susan Infeld, County-Executive, Cuyahoga County Mayor, City of University Heights Assistant Secretary: Michael Summers, Immediate Past President: Mary E. Samide, Mayor, City of Lakewood Former Commissioner, Geauga County BOARD MEMBERS

CUYAHOGA COUNTY Valarie J. McCall, Chief of Government & International Affairs Samuel J. Alai, Ted Kalo, Mayor, City of Broadview Heights Mamie J. Mitchell, Commissioner, Lorain County Councilwoman, City of Cleveland Tanisha R. Briley, Matt Lundy, City Manager, Cleveland Heights Terrell Pruitt, Commissioner, Lorain County Councilman, City of Cleveland Armond Budish, Chase M. Ritenauer, County-Executive, Cuyahoga County Matthew L. Spronz, P.E., PMP, Mayor, City of Lorain Capital Projects Director William R. Cervenik, Mayor, City of Euclid GEAUGA COUNTY MEDINA COUNTY Scott E. Coleman, Walter Claypool, Lynda Bowers, Mayor, City of Highland Heights Commissioner, Geauga County Trustee, Lafayette Township Glenn Coyne, Blake A. Rear, Adam Friedrick, Executive Director, Planning Commission Commissioner, Geauga County Commissioner, Medina County Timothy J. DeGeeter, Ralph Spidalieri, Patrick Patton, Mayor, City of Parma Commissioner, Geauga County Engineer, City of Medina Ann Marie Donegan, Michael J. Salay, P.E., P.S., Mayor, Olmsted Falls Engineer, Medina County LAKE COUNTY Anthony T. Hairston, James R. Gills, P.E., P.S., Councilman, Cuyahoga County Engineer, Lake County REGIONAL AND STATE Susan K. Infeld, Raymond Jurkowski, Mayor, City of University Heights GREATER CLEVELAND REGIONAL TRANSIT General Manager, Laketran AUTHORITY (GCRTA) Charles E. Smith, Kevin Malecek, Joseph A. Calabrese, Mayor, City of Woodmere Commissioner, Lake County CEO and General Manager Robert A. Stefanik, Judy Moran, Mayor, City of North Royalton NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER Commissioner, Lake County DISTRICT (NEORSD) Michael P. Summers, Daniel P. Troy, Julius Ciaccia, Jr., Mayor, City of Lakewood Commissioner, Lake County Executive Director Deborah L. Sutherland, Mayor, City of Bay Village CLEVELAND-CUYAHOGA COUNTY PORT LORAIN COUNTY AUTHORITY Bonita G. Teeuwen, P.E., Holly Brinda, Mayor, City of Elyria William D. Friedman, Director of Public Works, Cuyahoga County President/CEO Kenneth P. Carney, Sr., P.E., P.S., Engineer, Lorain County CITY OF CLEVELAND OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION G. David Gillock (ODOT) Freddy Collier Jr., Mayor, North Ridgeville Myron S. Pakush, Director, City Planning Commission Deputy Director, District 12 Richard Heidecker, Martin J. Keane, Trustee, Columbia Township Ex ofﬁ cio Member: Councilman, City of Cleveland

NOACA DIRECTORS

Grace Gallucci, Randy Lane, William Davis, Executive Director Director of Programming Associate Director of Operations Management Marvin Hayes, Kathy Sarli, Jonathan Giblin, Director of Communications & Director of Planning Associate Director of Compliance Public Affairs Mark Zannoni, Cheryl A. Kurkowski, CPA, Director of Reseach, Analysis & Policy Director of Finance & Operations 1) Title & Subtitle 2) NOACA Report No.

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio: Federal Fiscal Years 2015-2018 3) Author(s) 4) Report Date

Kelley Britt, Meredith H. Davis, Chad Harris, Jim Thompson 5) Performing Organization Name & Address 6) Project Task No.

Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency 1299 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114-3204 7) NOACA Contract/Grant No. Phone: (216) 241-2414 FAX: (216) 621-3024 ODOT/FHWA Web: www.noaca.org 8) Sponsoring Agency Name & Address 9) Type of Report & Period Covered

Ohio Department of Transportation 1980 W. Broad St., Box 899 10) Sponsoring Agency Code Columbus, OH 43216-0899 11) Supplementary Notes

Federal funding for this project was provided by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

12) Abstracts

This document contains information on the unmet transportation needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with low income in Northeast Ohio; an inventory of current transportation providers and services available in the region; goals and strategies to address gaps and overlaps in service; and priorities for addressing unmet needs.

13) Key Words & Document Analysis

A. Descriptors – Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310); Human Services Transportation; Coordinated Plan Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC; Section 5316); New Freedom Program (Section 5317); B. Identifiers/Open Ended Terms 14) Availability Statement 15) No. Pages

NOACA 16) Price

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...... i Developing the Coordinated Plan ...... i History of Coordinated Planning ...... i Assessment of Transportation Needs ...... ii Strategies & Priorities ...... ii Outreach Activities and Findings?

1. Introduction ...... 1 Overview ...... 1 Coordination ...... 1 Planning Process ...... 1 Unmet Needs and Gaps ...... 2 Strategies & Priorities ...... 2 The Federal Grant Programs ...... 3 Funding Overview ...... 4 Large Urbanized, Small Urbanized & Nonurbanized Areas ...... 5 Developing the Coordinated Plan ...... 11 History of Coordinated Planning ...... 11 What is NOACA? ...... 11 Role of the Designated Recipient ...... 12 Competitive Selection Process ...... 13 Outreach Activities?

2. Study Area & Target Populations ...... 16 The Study Area...... 16 Population ...... 16 Target Population Groups ...... 18 Older Adults ...... 18 Individuals with Disabilities ...... 22 Individuals with Low Income ...... 25

3. Available Transportation Services & Providers ...... 29 Current Transportation Providers ...... 29

4. Assessment of Transportation Needs ...... 67 Outreach Activities 2015 Coordinated Plan Update 2012 Coordinated Plan Outreach

5. Strategies for the Future ...... 81 Goals for the Region ...... 81

Tables

Table 1: Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities iv Table 2: Top 10 Ranked Regional Unmet Transportation Needs vi Table 3: Top 4 Ranked Regional Transportation Goals vi Table 4: Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities 4 Table 5: Federal Fiscal Years 2009 - 2012 SAFTEA-LU Funding Apportionments for Cleveland Urbanized Area 9 Table 6: Federal Fiscal Years 2009 - 2012 SAFTEA-LU JARC & New Freedom Funding Apportionments for Ohio Small Urbanized and Nonurbanized Areas 10 Table 7: Section 5310 Funding 10 Table 8: Decennial Census of Population by County, 1970 - 2010 17 Table 9: Population Density by County 17 Table 10: Decennial Population Projections by County, 2020 - 2040 18 Table 11: Older Adults by County 2000, 2010 & 2030 20 Table 12a: Individuals with Disabilities by County, 2000 22 Table 12b: Individuals with Disabilities by County, 2010 23 Table 13a: Individuals with Low Income by County, 2000 25 Table 13b: Individuals with Low Income by County, 2010 26 Table 14: Percent of Households Without a Vehicle Available, 2010 28 Table 15: Public + Private, Nonprofit and For-Profit, and Public Transportation Providers 43 Table 16: Human Service Agency Transportation Services 54 Table 17: Human Service Agency Transportation Services 61 Table 18: Top 10 Ranked Regional Unmet Transportation Needs 68 Table 19: Top 4 Ranked Regional Transportation Goals 69 Table 20: Priority of Needs Ranked by Each Meeting 71 Table 21: Respondents by County 76 Table 22: Type of Organization 77 Table 23: Population Served by Agency 77 Table 24: Trip Frequency by Destination 78

Figures

Figure 1: Regional Population Composition by Year 19 Figure 2: Map Activity Dot Icon Legend 73 Figure3: Transportation Limitations for Clients 78 19 Maps

Map 1: Cleveland, Akron & Lorain-Elyria Urbanized Areas, 2015 7 Map 2: Cleveland Urbanized Area, 2015 8 Map 3: Total Elderly Population, 2015 21 Map 4: Total Disabled Population, 2015 24 Map 5: Percent of Population in Poverty, 2015 27 Map 6: Regional Transit Agencies, 2015 30 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Executive Summary

The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio (Coordinated Plan) includes information on the existing transportation options, unmet needs, and goals and objective to meet those needs for three target population groups: older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with low income. This update to the Coordinated Plan builds off the extensive public outreach and subsequent findings of the 2008 Coordinated Plan and the 2012 update. The Coordinated Plan focuses on the unique needs of transit-dependent populations and identifies gaps and opportunities, and promotes coordination within and between transportation providers. The following core components are included in the Coordinated Plan: • An assessment of available transportation services that identifies current providers (Chapter 3) • An assessment of transportation needs for target populations (Chapter 4) • Strategies and activities to address identified gaps and redundancies in services (Chapter 5)

This document contains additional items, such as demographic data on the target populations and detailed information about the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Section 5310 (Section 5310) program, to inform future transportation coordination projects. FY2013 was the final “call for projects” for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs, which are now represented in the new Section 5310 program.

Developing the Coordinated Plan

History of Coordinated Planning As required by the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the federal surface transportation funding and authorization bill, all urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000 must have a designated recipient named by the chief executive officer of the state (the governor of Ohio) to handle the competitive selection process and administrative functions for two programs: Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) for transportation services that would help low-income individuals and welfare recipients get to jobs and job-related services, and New Freedom for new public transportation services and alternatives for persons with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Additionally, any area that seeks funding from the JARC, New Freedom, or Section 5310 programs from FY 2007 forward must have a Coordinated Plan in place from which projects are derived. As a result, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) published its Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio in 2008. A detailed description of how NOACA came to be the designated recipient for the Cleveland Urbanized Area and the lead agency for the development of the Coordinated Plan for Northeast Ohio can be found in Appendix #.

Previous public involvement efforts (communication, data collection, and identification of common goals and objectives) served as the basis for the 2012 update and this update. The majority of stakeholders who participated in this update were also involved in the

Executive Summary i Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

prior Coordinated Plan. The update process was also used as means to reiterate the importance of coordinated planning and inform transit providers of the changes to the JARC and New Freedom programs under the current surface transportation law for highway and transit programs, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act.

Combining both current and previous public and stakeholder input and comments, the strategies from the 2008 plan were reorganized into new goals and objectives in the 2012 update and reinforced in this update. To support the goals, objectives were reassessed and given identified strategies to achieve each objective. The goals and objectives are intended to support and monitor human services transportation in the region and allow projects to be adjusted accordingly to meet the overall goals of the Coordinated Plan. Chapter 4 of this document gives an overview of public involvement activities. Additional details can be found in Appendix F.

The Study Area Northeast Ohio is a mixture of urbanized and non urbanized areas. Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties are by definition urban because the county seat is within an urbanized area. Additionally, all three have a relatively large percentage of land devoted to urban uses, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. In Cuyahoga County, the urban area accounts for most of county’s land area. The Lake County urbanized area is just under one-third of the whole county, and in Lorain County, just over one-quarter of all land is urbanized. Medina County was recently changed from rural to urban, with about 14 percent of the land considered urbanized. Geauga County is classified as rural, but it contains some portions of urbanized area. Urbanized land use is just under 11 percent in Geauga County. (See maps 1 and 2).

Assessment of Transportation Needs The goals of NOACA’s Coordinated Plan reflect the engagement of transportation providers, clients, and the public. They encompass the principles and spirit of improving transportation services and coordination and act as a foundation for the objectives. These goals also provide context for the objectives and strategies ranked below.

Goals • Improve accessibility and service efficiency for low-income, elderly, and/or disabled riders • Improve cost effectiveness • Improve safety • Improve coordination of services and resources

Strategies and Priorities Strategies for improving transportation for the target populations were developed for the most frequently occurring themes surrounding unmet needs and transportation issues (see Chapter 5 for details). The strategies listed are examples of ways to achieve more efficient transportation delivery and service in addition to methods for developing a more coordinated system.

Executive Summary ii Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Each of the 11 identified recurring themes was prioritized into one of two tiers. This tiered structure provides guidance for allocating resources to projects that address the most pressing needs and that will most improve the regional transportation system. The priorities follow.

Tier One Objectives

1. Reduce transit/specialized transportation costs for riders and providers 2. Improve frequency of service 3. Improve weekend service 4. Improve operational efficiencies at all levels 5. Improve access to underserved areas with transit-dependent populations 6. Improve evening service 7. Advance awareness to growing unmet transportation needs

Tier Two Objectives

8. Improve access to information and travel training for riders and human service agencies 9. Improve last-minute transportation options 10. Mitigate environmental barriers 11. Improve inter-county transportation options

This tier system will be used in conjunction with the competitive selection process for projects that seek specialized transportation funding. Projects may address one or more of the themes and may use one of the strategies listed in Chapter 5, a combination of multiple strategies, or other strategies not listed in this document as long as the project supports to overall goals of the Coordinated Plan.

The Federal Grant Programs –Section 5310 Program Table 1 provides a summary of the Section 5310 grant program that is available to the region for FY 2013-2015 and will be administered by NOACA for the urbanized service area. Under MAP-21, previous JARC program activities will now be an eligible expense under the Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula program. A 50-percent local match for operating assistance for job access and reverse commute programs will continue to be included. Activities that were formerly part of the New Freedom program will be included under the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. This program provides funding for projects that increase the mobility of seniors and persons with disabilities.

Under this new consolidated program, 55 percent of available funding must be set aside for “traditional” 5310 capital projects, such as vehicles, other equipment (communications equipment, computer hardware, and wheelchair restraints), and mobility management projects. In addition to the required capital projects, up to 45 percent of funds may be used for projects that were formerly eligible under New Freedom: additional public transportation projects that exceed the ADA minimum requirements, improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on ADA-complementary paratransit service, or provide alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation.

Executive Summary iii Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 1 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

Program Purpose The Section 5310 Program provides capital and operating grants to assist private nonprofit corporations and public agencies to provide coordinated transportation services that are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities Eligible Applicants There are three categories of eligible sub- recipients of Section 5310 funds: a) private nonprofit organizations; b) state or local governmental authorities; and c) operators of public transportation services. If applying for vehicle, equipment or mobility management projects, state or local government authorities must certify that there are no nonprofit organizations readily available in the area to provide that service Eligible Project Purchase of buses or vans, computer Examples equipment and software, and communications equipment, mobility management and coordination programs Federal/Local Share Capital and Operating costs • 80% federal 20% local • 55% to be used for capital • 45% to be used for projects that would fall under the former New Freedom program

Outreach Activities and Findings

Building on the extensive outreach to stakeholders and target populations conducted in the development of the 2008 and 2012 Coordinated Plans, NOACA approached the 2015 Plan update process in a more streamlined manner. The purpose is to validate the findings and reiterate the goals and objectives agreed upon in the 2012 update. In 2012 NOACA employed a variety of outreach activities to reassess and update transportation needs in the region. The integration of public input was essential to identify and prioritize the needs of the elderly, disabled, and low-income populations. These efforts built on outreach conducted for the 2008 Coordinated Plan as well as assessed and reevaluated goals and priorities. Outreach methods leveraged existing groups and relationships in addition to bringing in new perspectives.

Public involvement activities included public meetings, public comment sheets and surveys, a provider survey, and a stakeholder workshop. Multiple outreach strategies

Executive Summary iv Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio were used to gain input into the needs of target populations from a variety of different views. Community outreach included:

• Public meetings within the NOACA region • Web page comment section • Public comment sheets and surveys provided at meetings • Online survey to stakeholders in the region • 2 stakeholder workshops • NOACA Transit Council input • Social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and the NOACA website, to advertise meetings

Even though some of the specialized transportation programs have shifted under MAP- 21, the Coordinated Plan will continue to focus on the needs of transit-dependent populations and look to improve service and coordination between transit providers. Looking forward, outreach and community involvement will remain crucial to NOACA’s general planning process and the development of the Coordinated Plan. NOACA’s Coordinated Plan will continue to incorporate a broad range of outreach activities to engage the public and stakeholders to obtain input and address transportation gaps and needs.

The section below summarizes the updated public comments and input from 2014. These comments served as the basis for reaffirming the goals and priorities set fourth in the 2012 update.

Public Meetings and Comments NOACA held two stakeholder meetings in October and November 2014 and an open house at the Cleveland Public Library in November 2014.

Public comments were also invited through comment sheets and a survey made available at public meetings, and through inclusion of contact information on promotional materials. Comments varied from very specific issues affecting an individual to general regional issues and needs. A full list of these public comments can be found in the Appendix F.

The public meetings focused around prioritizing and discussing the unmet needs that were determined in the 2012 update. Each meeting was conducted as an open house forum and had a display of various boards beginning with an overview of NOACA, the prior Coordinated Plan, the 2012 Goals and Objectives, and the current unmet needs. Participants were then asked to view the boards, prioritize the goals and objectives, rank the unmet needs, and fill out the public survey online or on paper.

Below is the overall tally of the unmet needs and prioritized goals and objectives gathered from the public meetings. Detailed responses can be found in Appendix F.

Executive Summary v Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

The top 10 ranked specific Unmet Needs were: Table 2 Rank Unmet Need 1 Not Enough Funding 2 Hard to Arrange a Trip on Short Notice Not Enough Advocacy for Transportation Needs at the 3 Local, State, and/or Federal Level Health/Human Service Agency Does Not Have Money 4 for Transportation Services 5 Limited Transit Service During Evenings 6 Buses Do Not Run Frequently Enough 7 Limited Transit Service During Weekends 8 High Cost of Public Transit-Bus or Paratransit Fare Hard to Get to Bus Stops/Rapid Stations--No 9 Sidewalks, Crosswalks, or Mobility Issues No "One-Stop" Resource or Call Center for 10 Transportation Information

The top four ranked specific Goals were: Table 3 Rank Goal Improve Accessibility and Service Efficiency for Low-Income, 1 Elderly, and/or Disabled Riders 2 Improve Cost Effectiveness 3 Improve Coordination of Services and Resources 4 Improve Safety

Stakeholder Input and Provider Survey As part of the 2008 and 2015 Coordinated Plans, an inventory of agencies that provide transportation services was collected. A detailed provider survey was mailed to more than 500 agencies, which resulted in 100 responses. While input received through the stakeholder survey may not be statistically significant, it does offer input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders and transit providers.

During the 2012 outreach efforts and this current update to the Coordinated Plan, a survey was again sent to providers to update the inventory of agencies. This time, however, the survey was adapted into an online survey through the use of Survey Monkey and was emailed to providers. The survey was sent to private transit providers, health/human service agencies, and medical facilities that provide transportation. More than 200 agencies and organizations were sent a link to the survey, to which 53 responded. In July 2014 about 65 agencies were sent a survey to update service information, and 39 organizations responded. The information collected will identify existing transportation resources in the region.

Executive Summary vi Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

A listing of survey respondents, a copy of the survey, and additional response detail can be found in Appendix F.

Stakeholder Workshop The update to the Coordinated Plan is focused on reassessing unmet transportation needs and validating the goals and priorities set forth by the 2012 outreach. To conclude the update process, NOACA held a regional stakeholder workshop in November 2014. Invitations were sent to the same group that attended the October workshop, and approximately 30 people participated. A list of attendees and notes taken from the workshop can be found in Appendix F. Participants discussed the goals, objectives, and unmet needs before being asked to rank each.

Workshop participants also worked to develop possible strategies, projects, or activities to counteract the unmet needs. All comments and recommendations from the stakeholder workshop can be found in Appendix F.

Executive Summary vii Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

1. Introduction

Overview This update to the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio (Coordinated Plan) includes information on the existing transportation options and unmet needs of the three target population groups: older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with low income. This update builds off the subsequent findings of the 2008 Coordinated Plan and extensive 2012 public outreach. The Plan continues to focus on the unique needs of transit dependent populations, identifies gaps and opportunities, and promotes coordination within and between transportation providers. The following core components are included in the Coordinated Plan: • An assessment of available transportation services that identifies current providers (Chapter 3) • An assessment of transportation needs for target populations (Chapter 4) • Strategies and activities to address identified gaps and redundancies in services (Chapter 5)

This document contains additional items, such as demographic data on the target populations and detailed information about the Section 5310 program, that are included to help inform future transportation coordination projects. FY2013 was the final “call for projects” for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs, which are now represented in the new Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities.

Coordination Coordination can occur in a variety of ways. One federal initiative defines it as “a process through which representatives of different agencies and client groups work together to achieve any one or all of the following goals: more cost-effective service delivery; increased capacity to serve unmet needs; improved quality of service; and services which are more easily understood and accessed by riders."1 Coordination may be as simple as referring clients to another agency’s transportation services or may be more involved, such as cost-sharing and procuring resources jointly.

The need to provide better transportation service delivery with finite financial resources has led many agencies and organizations at all levels to look for ways to coordinate specialized transportation services. As a result, there are a number of initiatives and groups that have formed to work together to promote, educate, and implement methods of maximizing resources.

Planning Process Though its development is required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for communities that seek grant funding, much of the decision making regarding scope and content of the Coordinated Plan has been left to states and local authorities. This gives areas the flexibility to build off of previous transportation studies and plans that an area may have developed, as well as the ability to determine at which level the plan will be developed: local, county, regional, or statewide. Furthermore, development of the Coordinated Plan helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively by eliminating gaps and redundancies in transportation services.

Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Building upon the 2008 Plan and 2012 outreach, during FY 2015 the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) employed a public outreach program that sought to gather information from a wide variety of stakeholders. Throughout autumn 2014 outreach programs were held to determine whether the 2012 goals, objectives, unmet needs, and gaps and redundancies in service that affected the target population groups were still valid.

In addition to learning about the Coordinated Plan and commenting on it through the project webpage that was launched on NOACA’s website, stakeholders were encouraged to participate by attending public meetings and a regional workshop. An update to the extensive 2008 and 2012 stakeholder surveys were also distributed to identified agencies, municipalities, and transportation providers across the region.

Unmet Needs and Gaps The goals of NOACA’s Coordinated Plan reflect the engagement of transportation providers, clients, and the public. They encompass the principles and spirit of improving transportation services and coordination and act as a foundation for the objectives. These goals also provide context for the objectives and strategies ranked below.

Goals: • Improve accessibility and service efficiency for low-income, elderly, and/or disabled riders • Improve cost effectiveness • Improve safety • Improve coordination of services and resources

Strategies and Priorities Strategies for improving transportation for the target populations were developed for the most frequently occurring themes surrounding unmet needs and transportation issues (see Chapter 5 for details). Those strategies listed are examples of ways to achieve more efficient transportation delivery and service in addition to methods for developing a more coordinated system.

Tier One Objectives

1. Reduce transit/specialized transportation costs for riders and providers 2. Improve frequency of service 3. Improve weekend service 4. Improve operational efficiencies at all levels 5. Improve access to underserved areas with transit dependent populations 6. Improve evening service 7. Advance awareness to growing unmet transportation needs

Chapter 1 Introduction 2 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Tier Two Objectives

Federal Grant Programs Table 4 provides a summary of the 5310 grant program that is available to the region for FY 2013-2015 and will be administered by NOACA for the urbanized service area. Under the current surface transportation law for highway and transit programs, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, previous JARC program activities will now be an eligible expense under the Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula program. A 50-percent local match for operating assistance for job access and reverse commute programs will continue to be included. Activities formerly part of the New Freedom program will be included under the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. This program provides funding for projects that increase the mobility of seniors and persons with disabilities.

Chapter 1 Introduction 3 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 4

Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities The Section 5310 Program provides capital and operating grants to assist private nonprofit corporations and public agencies to provide coordinated transportation Program Purpose services that are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities

There are three categories of eligible sub- recipients of Section 5310 funds: a) private nonprofit organizations; b) state or local governmental authorities; and c) operators of public transportation services. If applying Eligible Applicants for vehicle, equipment or mobility management projects, state or local government authorities must certify that there are no nonprofit organizations readily available in the area to provide that service Purchase of buses or vans, computer Eligible Project equipment and software, and Examples communications equipment, mobility management and coordination programs Capital and Operating costs • 80% federal 20% local Federal/Local • 55% to be used for capital Share • 45% to be used for projects that would fall under the former New Freedom program

Funding Overview The Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the federal surface transportation funding and authorization bill, authorized funding through FY 2012 for two programs: Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) for transportation services that would help low-income individuals and welfare recipients get to jobs and job-related services, and New Freedom for new public transportation services and alternatives for persons with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Section 5310 is authorized through FY2015. Funds are available to recipients during the year of apportionment plus one additional year; therefore, FY 2013 funds are available through June FY 2015. Any funds that are not committed at the end the period of availability are added to the following year’s apportionment and distributed among all areas. When MAP-21 started in FY 2013, program funding changed, however; since FY 2012 funds were still available for FY 2013, there was one last round of New Freedom program funding allocated in FY2014.

Chapter 1 Introduction 4 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Large Urbanized, Small Urbanized & Nonurbanized Areas As authorized by the former SAFETEA-LU and current MAP-21 transportation bills, funding is broken down into three categories: large urbanized areas, small urbanized areas, and other than urbanized (nonurbanized areas) as it relates to:

• Former JARC projects: transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment, including transportation projects that facilitate the provision of public transportation services from urbanized areas and rural areas to suburban employment locations; and

• Former New Freedom activities: (1) improvements that exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); (2) public transportation projects to improve access to fixed-route transit; (3) public transit projects expressly designed for seniors and people with disabilities, where transit is insufficient, inappropriate or unavailable; and (4) alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and people with disabilities.

Urbanized area designations are determined by the Secretary of Commerce and are based on the most recent decennial census (Census 2010). A large urbanized area contains a population of at least 200,000, a small urbanized area has a population greater than 50,000 but less than 200,000, and a nonurbanized area has a population of fewer than 50,000.

Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities funding is allocated by the following formula: • 60% to designated recipients in large urbanized areas • 20% to the states for small urbanized areas • 20% to the states for nonurbanized areas

There are two large urban areas in northeast Ohio (Cleveland and Akron) and one small urban area (Lorain-Elyria). Whereas NOACA’s planning area consists of the entirety of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties, urbanized areas often have jagged boundaries that can cross through counties based upon population density determined by the decennial census.

• The Cleveland Urbanized Area comprises the majority of Cuyahoga County, most of western and portions of eastern Lake County, the far northeastern portion of Lorain County, the Brunswick and Medina city area of Medina County, and the far western portion of Geauga County, along with portions of northern Summit and Portage counties, which are outside of the NOACA planning area (see Maps 2 and 3).

• The Akron Urbanized Area occupies most of Summit County and small portions of Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties, along with the Wadsworth area of Medina County. Much of this urbanized area falls within the planning area of the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Summit and Portage counties, as well as Chippewa Township in Wayne County.

Chapter 1 Introduction 5 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

• The Lorain-Elyria Urbanized Area is a small urbanized area, and the JARC and New Freedom competitive selection process and grant management for this area will be administered by the state. This area covers the central and coastal areas of Lorain County and a small portion of Erie County.

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

Map 1

Map 2

Tables 5 and 6 below show the last years of apportionments under SAFTEA-LU through FY 2012 for JARC and New Freedom funding for the Cleveland Urbanized Area and small urbanized/nonurbanized areas, respectively. These funds have since been expended.

Table 5 Federal Fiscal Years 2009 - 2012 SAFTEA-LU Funding Apportionments for Cleveland Urbanized Area Program 2009 ($) 2010 ($) 2011 ($) 2012 ($) 5316: JARC 936,065 996,285 994,787 1,004,289 5317: New 589,779 631,144 634,404 641,778 Freedom Source: FTA

Table 6 Federal Fiscal Years 2009 - 2012 SAFTEA-LU JARC & New Freedom Funding Apportionments for Ohio Small Urbanized and Nonurbanized Areas Program 2009 ($) 2010 ($) 2011 ($) 2012 ($) 5316: JARC (Small Urbanized 858,827 821,139 819,904 827,736 Areas) 5316: JARC (Nonurbanized 1,256,809 1,201,657 1,199,850 1,211,311 Areas) Total Ohio Small Urbanized and 2,115,636 2,022,796 2,019,754 2,039,047 Nonurbanized Area 5317: New Freedom (Small 569,955 559,377 562,266 568,802 Urbanized Areas) 5317: New Freedom 818,859 803,661 807,812 817,202 (Nonurbanized Areas) Total Ohio Small Urbanized and 1,388,814 1,363,038 1,370,078 1,386,004 Nonurbanized Area Source: FTA

For Section 5310, funds that are apportioned to the states are allocated without amounts set aside for urbanized, small urbanized, and rural counties as they were with the JARC and New Freedom programs. Statewide apportionments through FY 2014 are listed in Table 7. FY 2013 represents the changes from MAP-21 and the combination of the 5310 (Elderly & Individuals with Disabilities) and 5317 (New Freedom) programs.

Table 7 Section 5310 Funding Program Period Funding Section 5310 FFY 2013-2015 $3,579,817

Chapter 1 Introduction 10

Developing the Coordinated Plan

History of Coordinated Planning As required by SAFETEA-LU, all urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000 must have a designated recipient named by the chief executive officer of the state (the governor for Ohio) to handle the competitive selection process and administrative functions for the JARC and New Freedom programs. Additionally, any area that seeks funding from the JARC, New Freedom, and Section 5310 programs from FY 2007 forward must have a Coordinated Plan in place from which projects are derived. As a result, NOACA published its Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio in 2008.

Previous public involvement efforts (communication, data collection, and identification of common goals and objectives) acted at the base for the 2012 update and continued for this current update. The majority of stakeholders who participated in the update were also involved in the prior Coordinated Plan. The update process was also used as means to reiterate the importance of coordinated planning and inform transit providers of the changes to the JARC and New Freedom programs under MAP-21.

Combining both current and previous public and stakeholder input and comments, the strategies from the 2008 plan were reorganized into new goals and objectives in the 2012 update and reinforced in this current update. To support the goals, objectives were reassessed and given identified strategies to achieve each objective. The goals and objectives are intended to support and monitor human services transportation in the region and allow projects to be adjusted accordingly to meet the overall goals of the Coordinated Plan. Chapter 4 of this document gives an overview of public involvement activities, and additional details can be found in Appendix F.

Under MAP-21 JARC has been merged with 5307 funds, and New Freedom as been merged with the Section 5310 program. Also, MPOs, such as NOACA, can be designated recipients of the 5310 funding and handle the competitive selection process and administrative functions for the program. Eligible projects must be “included” in the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio. NOACA was designated by Governor John Kasich in October 2014.

What is NOACA? The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties in northeast Ohio. Its chief functions are to perform long- and short- range transportation planning, transportation-related air quality planning, and regional water quality management planning, as defined by federal and Ohio mandates. The policies and decisions of NOACA are made by its Board of Directors, a member board of local elected and appointed officials that oversees and approves the agency’s work program.

NOACA receives funding to support its transportation and environmental planning from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), miscellaneous outside organizations, and annual dues paid by local governments throughout the region.

Chapter 1 Introduction 11

Role of the Designated Recipient The designated recipient must manage all aspects of the Section 5310 Program in the urbanized area and perform a variety of administrative functions. MAP-21 guidelines changed how specific programs are funded, but will not change the role of NOACA as a designated recipient. Some impacts on coordinated planning (according to FTA guidelines) follow:

• The Section 5310 program is still required to be a part of coordinated planning. • Projects will need to be “included in” instead of “derived from” coordinated plans. • MAP-21 specifically identifies that there be participation by seniors and individuals with disabilities.

As of FY 2013, the following list of designated recipient responsibilities is outlined by FTA in the circular (FTA C9070.1G) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance and Application Instructions (FTA C9070.1G):

• Selecting projects, which may, but is not required to, include a competitive selection process. If the designated recipient decides to hold a competitive selection, it may conduct the competitive selection itself or establish alternative arrangements to administer and conduct the competitive selection. • Developing the program of projects (POP). Developing project selection processes, including deciding whether to conduct an area-wide competitive selection process and, if so, conducting the competition; • Certifying that all projects are included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human service transportation plan (Coordinated Plan) developed and approved through a process that included participation by seniors; individuals with disabilities; representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers; and other members of the public.

• Overseeing the implementation of projects as developed and prioritized in the coordinated plan, including, where not specified in the coordinated plan, selecting entities to carry out projects consistent with procedures approved in the coordinated plan and/or documented in the designated recipient’s state or program management plan.

• Certifying a fair and equitable distribution of funds to sub-recipients;

• Managing all aspects of grant distribution and oversight for sub-recipients who receive funds under this program; and

• Submitting reports as required by the FTA.

Chapter 1 Introduction 12

Competitive Selection Process Funding for the Section 5310 Program is split between designated recipients (such as NOACA, that are responsible for large urbanized areas) and the state, which oversees the competitive selection process for all remaining areas. As the state and designated recipient competitive selection processes are conducted independently of one another, there is a great deal of flexibility offered to the local area in deciding how to run its selection process.

A designated recipient may choose to conduct competitions annually or up to every three years. Furthermore, the selection criteria used to score and rank applications is developed by the designated recipient so that projects selected are consistent with and included in the Coordinated Plan. FTA requires the competitive selection process so that funds are distributed fairly and equitably. NOACA’s competitive selection process will be described in the Program Management Plan (PMP) for Section 5310 funds for the Cleveland Urbanized Area.

All Section 5310 program funding for large urbanized areas must be included in an MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a four-year, fiscally constrained program of federally supported transportation projects approved by the MPO, before FTA will approve any projects. The TIP may list specific projects to be funded or list the aggregate available annual funding. Funds are also required to be listed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), the state’s version of the TIP, before FTA will release funds. Aggregate annual Section 5310 funding levels for the Cleveland Urbanized Area are listed in both Ohio’s STIP and NOACA’s most recent TIP, adopted by the Board of Directors in May 2013 via Resolution No. 2013-012.

Outreach Activities A variety of methods and activities were used to encourage public participation and gather information for the 2015 update to the Coordinated Plan. The contact list created for the 2008 was used as a basis for the update. The original list was compiled from a number of sources including the working group members, NOACA’s database, Cleveland State University’s Neighborhood Link, the United Way, and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. This list was then updated where possible. Significant advertisement through newspapers, press releases, notices on public transit, and poster and flyer mailings to targeted health and human services agencies, libraries, and community centers occurred to publicize and promote participation from all members of the community. A special focus was also placed on reaching out to the target populations of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with low income.

The following public outreach occurred throughout the Coordinated Plan update: • Coordinated Plan Web Page o Provided summary information on what the Coordinated Plan was and why it was being developed o Provided date, time, and location information for outreach activities o Enabled users to email NOACA directly for public comment and also provided NOACA’s address and telephone number for comments • Social Media throughout the update process from September 2014 – November 2014 o Announcement of public meeting times and locations

Chapter 1 Introduction 13

• Public Meetings (November 2014) o A public open house was held to reintroduce the public to the Coordinated Plan o Verify findings from 2012 Coordinated Plan outreach o Used to gather additional needs assessment information o Included discussion on strategies and activities to address service gaps • Public Survey (October–November 2014) • Stakeholder Survey (July–August 2014) o Emailed to more than 200 public, private, and non-profit stakeholders in the region o Supplied detailed information on current transportation providers o Provided information for needs assessment o Provided information for development of strategies and activities to address identified service gaps and redundancies • Regional Stakeholder Workshop (October and November 2014) o Forum for stakeholders to discuss and prioritize strategies to address unmet needs identified through outreach activities o Resulted in a regional approach to identifying transportation issues of most importance through established bimonthly meetings o Provided prioritization tiers for project funding • Transit Agencies and NOACA’s Transit Council throughout the update process o Provided detailed operations information o Informed provider inventory and needs assessment components

Additional outreach activity detail and findings can be found in Chapter 4 of this document.

Chapter 1 Introduction 14

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Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

2. Study Area & Target Populations

The Study Area The NOACA region consists of the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina, and encompasses an area of 2,005 square miles with a total population of 2.07 million in 2010. Cuyahoga County, which includes the City of Cleveland, accounts for 61.6 percent of the region’s population. Overall, the region is home to 17.8 percent of Ohio’s nearly 11.6 million residents.

Northeast Ohio is a mixture of urbanized and nonurbanized areas. Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties are by definition urban because the county seat is within an urbanized area. Additionally, all four have a relatively large percentage of land devoted to urban uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. In Cuyahoga County, the urban area accounts for most of the county’s land area. The Lake County urbanized area is just under one-third of the whole county, and in Lorain County, just over one-quarter of all land is urbanized. Medina County was recently changed to urban, with about 14 percent of the land considered urbanized. Geauga County is classified as rural, but it contains some portions of urbanized area. Urbanized land use is just under 11 percent in Geauga County (Maps 1 &2).

Population Northeast Ohio has experienced net population loss over the last 40 years. Table 8 shows that the combined population of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties decreased from a peak population of 2.321 million in 1970 to 2.077 million in 2010. This is a loss of 10.5 percent of the region’s population, while the state of Ohio experienced a 9.5 percent growth in population over the same period. This major population decrease in NOACA’s planning area can be attributed to an outmigration of Cuyahoga County residents to the surrounding counties and beyond. Cuyahoga County experienced a total loss of 25.6 percent of its residents during the last 40 years. This population loss accounts for just over 440,650 residents. Geauga and Medina counties both experienced high levels of growth over the period, increasing population by 48.3 percent and 108.3 percent, respectively. When compared to Medina and Geauga counties, Lake and Lorain counties both saw more moderate growth rates of 16.7 percent and 17.3 percent, respectively.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 16 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 8 Decennial Census of Population by County, 1970 - 2010 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Total County Change Change Change Population Population Population Population Population (%) (%) (%) Cuyahoga 1,721,300 1,498,400 1,412,140 -5.80% 1,393,978 1,280,122 -8.20% -25.60% Geauga 62,977 74,474 81,129 8.90% 90,895 93,389 2.70% 48.30% Lake 197,200 212,801 215,499 1.30% 227,511 230,041 1.10% 16.70% Lorain 256,843 274,909 271,126 -1.40% 284,664 301,356 5.90% 17.30% Medina 82,717 113,150 122,354 8.10% 151,095 172,332 14.10% 108.30% Total 2,321,037 2,173,734 2,102,248 -3.30% 2,148,143 2,077,240 -3.30% -10.50% Ohio 10,652,017 10,797,630 10,847,115 0.50% 11,353,140 11,666,850 2.80% 9.50% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Using the most recent population from Census 2010, population density data is listed in Table 9 for each county. Cuyahoga County has by far the highest density with 2,793 residents per square mile, about 2.7 times as dense as Lake County, the second densest county in the region. Geauga County has a population density of 231 people per square mile, while Medina County is almost twice as dense with just over 400 residents per square mile.

Table 9 Population Density by County 2006 2010 Land County Area Population Population (sq. mi.) Population Density (per sq. Population Density (per sq. mi.) mi.) Cuyahoga 458.3 1,314,241 2,868 1,280,122 2,793 Geauga 404.1 95,676 237 93,389 231 Lake 228.2 232,892 1,021 230,041 1,008 Lorain 492.6 301,993 613 301,356 612 Medina 421.6 169,353 402 172,332 409 Total 2,004.80 2,114,155 1,055 2,077,240 1,036 Source: 2010 U.S. Bureau of the Census

The population density averages provide insight into the characteristics of the region. Though residents obviously are not evenly distributed throughout each county, and even the least dense counties have pockets where population is clustered, the average population density helps identify one of the potential challenges to providing transportation services across the region. Though Cuyahoga County has seen a decrease in population over the last decade, it still remains the densest county in the region, due in large part to the City of Cleveland. Lake County has the second highest population density despite losing some population from 2000 to 2010. The total population density per square mile only decreased slightly from 2006 to 2010, from 1,055 to 1,036 residents per square mile.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 17 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Population projections from the Office of Strategic Research in the Ohio Department of Development, shown in Table 10, indicate that the region’s population will remain virtually unchanged through 2040 with minor population redistribution throughout. Cuyahoga County is expected to continue its trend of population loss, shrinking by 7.90 percent to 8.6 percent to 1.13 million by 2040, but much of this decrease will be offset by population gains in Geauga and Medina counties. A good deal of these gains is expected to occur in the near term, with expansion of 1.28 percent in Geauga County and 8.24 percent in Medina County. Indeed, the state’s 2006 population estimates indicate that Geauga County has achieved more than 60 percent of its anticipated increase for the period and Medina County has already added more than 18,000 residents, more than 80 percent of its projected increase. Overall, the region and the state will experience modest growth through 2040.

Table 10 Decennial Population Projections by County, 2020 - 2040 2010 2020 2030 2040 Total County Change Change Change Change Population Population Population Population (%) (%) (%) (%) Cuyahoga 1,280,122 1,209,550 -5.51% 1,154,210 -4.58% 1,113,950 -3.49% -7.90% Geauga 93,389 93,510 0.13% 94,930 1.52% 94,710 -0.23% 1.28% Lake 230,041 228,600 -0.63% 228,380 -0.10% 228,060 -0.14% -0.24% Lorain 301,356 310,230 2.94% 320,430 3.29% 328,190 2.42% 5.79% Medina 172,332 184,670 7.16% 194,510 5.33% 199,890 2.77% 8.24% Total 2,077,240 2,026,560 -2.44% 1,992,460 -1.68% 1,964,800 -1.39% -3.05% Ohio 11,536,504 11,574,870 0.33% 11,615,100 0.35% 11,676,010 0.52% 0.87% Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research, March 2013 & 2010 U.S. Bureau of the Census. Figures are based on a sample of the population and differ slightly from totals in Tables 6 and 7.

Target Population Groups Strategies and activities proposed to address unmet transportation needs of the target population groups must take into account such variables as population density, number of potential clients, and other demographic information to ensure that the demand exists in a particular area to benefit from such efforts. Potential Section 5310 projects will not necessarily be uniform for the region, but will likely need to be tailored to or be specific to each county or area’s unique needs. The following demographic information may serve as a base to assessing such factors.

Older Adults A growing segment of the region’s population is made up of older adults. As defined in guidance issued by FTA, an older adult is one who is, at minimum, 65 years of age. Local areas may determine the appropriate age at which to offer services so long as it is not any older than this minimum. Following a nationwide trend, the percentage of older adults is projected to continue rising as the Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) ages. The following figure illustrates the age cohorts of the

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 18 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

region’s population at the 2010 U.S. census as it is projected to appear for each decade through 2030.

Figure 1

Regional Population Composition by Year 2,250,000 2,000,000 1,750,000

1,500,000 1,250,000 1,000,000 Population Population 750,000 500,000 250,000 0 2000 2010 2020 2030 75+ yrs 153,750 156,945 148,490 194,800 65-74 yrs 157,820 158,767 216,050 243,270 55-64 yrs 193,540 271,394 295,470 244,250 25-54 yrs 929,310 835,110 805,850 795,700 Under 25 yrs 713,760 655,024 666,800 656,870

Year

Source: 2010 U.S. Bureau of the Census

In 2000, those people aged 65 and above made up approximately 14.5 percent of the region’s population. The percentage rose slightly to 15.2 percent in 2010, will continue to rise to 17.1 percent in 2020, and is ultimately projected to reach 20.5 percent by 2030. Those people aged 75 years and above made up 7.2 percent of the region’s population in 2000 and remained the same in 2010. As the baby-boomers continue to age, however, it is projected that by 2030 those 75 years and older will account for 9.1 percent of the region’s older population.

There are differences in the age of the population across counties in the region. As Table 11 indicates, in 2010, Cuyahoga County’s residents aged 65 years and above accounted for 15.5 percent of the population compared to 13.1 percent in Medina County. By 2030, however, all counties will continue to age with Geauga and Lake counties projected to have the highest share of residents aged 65 and over with 21.5 percent and 23.5 percent, respectively.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 19 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 11 Older Adults by County 2000, 2010 & 2030 2000 2010 2040 Share Share Share of Share Share Share of of Total County Aged of Total Aged Total Aged of Total Aged of Total Aged Total Aged 75+ Popula 65+ Populat 65+ Populati 75+ Populat 65+ Populat 75+ Population tion ion (%) on (%) ion (%) ion (%) (%) (%) Cuyahoga 217,160 15.60% 109,840 7.90% 198,541 15.50% 102,935 8.00% 245,460 22.03% 137,720 12.36% Geauga 10,880 12.00% 4,990 5.50% 14,474 15.50% 6,466 6.90% 22,010 23.24% 12,430 13.13% Lake 32,030 14.10% 15,010 6.60% 36,965 16.00% 17,546 7.60% 49,530 23.20% 26,670 12.49% Lorain 35,580 12.50% 16,660 5.90% 43,131 14.30% 20,203 6.70% 64,280 19.01% 34,440 10.18% Medina 15,920 10.50% 7,250 4.80% 22,601 13.10% 9,795 5.70% 45,910 22.97% 22,910 11.46% Total 311,570 14.50% 153,750 7.20% 315,712 15.20% 156,945 7.20% 427,190 21.79% 234,170 11.95% Source: 2010 U.S. Bureau of the Census, Research Office Ohio Department Services Agency

Map 3 shows the number of older adults aged 65 and above in the region in 2010 by Census Tract, as provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The darker areas on the map indicate larger numbers of older adults in that particular Census Tract. Actual population numbers are used rather than percentage of the population so that this map may serve as a planning tool to determine if a particular area has enough potential clients to benefit from a proposed strategy or activity aimed at meeting the transportation needs of older adults.

The number of older adults in the population is an important indicator of the type of transportation services that may be required in the future, especially if more people are to stay in their own homes for longer periods rather than moving to a group care or assisted living facility. Furthermore, disability status is strongly correlated with age, resulting in other potential barriers to transportation. Services will need to be offered to this segment of the population to meet their daily needs, such as shopping, medical, and social trips, and to keep them involved and integrated into daily life.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 20

Map 3

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Individuals with Disabilities According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 51.2 million Americans had some degree of disability and 32.5 million had a severe disability in 2002. These figures represented approximately 18.1 percent and 11.5 percent of the population, respectively. Information on disability status was gathered by the Census Bureau as part of its Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), which contained questions about one’s ability to perform certain daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and cooking. The SIPP found that, as expected, the percentage of individuals with a disability increases with age. Among 65- to 69-year-olds, 38.4 percent reported a disability, and for 25.4 percent, the disability is severe. Those who need personal assistance to perform one or more daily activities is 8.2 percent for this age group. For those 80 years and older, these percentages rise to 71.7 percent, 57.0 percent, and 30.0 percent, respectively.2

On a regional basis, the number of individuals who reported a disability for the 2000 Census is shown in Table 12a and for the 2010 Census in Table 12b. For residents of all ages, the percentage who reported a disability in 2000 was 18.5 percent, with the percentage dropping to 16.0 percent by 2010. Cuyahoga County has had the most residents with a disability over the past decade at 17.1 percent and Medina County the lowest at 11.7 percent. For the region’s population aged 65 years and older, the percentage with a disability was 40.6 percent, just behind Ohio’s average of 41.6 percent. Again, Cuyahoga County had a slightly higher number of residents with a disability (42.3 percent) than the surrounding counties.

Table 12a Individuals with Disabilities by County, 2000 All Ages Age 65 and Over Share of Share of County Disabled Disabled Population Age Group Population Population (%) (%) Cuyahoga 253,963 19.9% 86,202 41.9% Geauga 11,416 13.6% 3,802 36.8% Lake 33,558 15.9% 11,621 38.0% Lorain 44,969 17.5% 13,544 39.8% Medina 19,487 14.0% 5,451 36.4% Total 363,393 18.5% 120,620 40.8% Ohio 1,899,462 18.4% 583,034 41.0% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 22 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 12b Individuals with Disabilities by County, 2010 All Ages Age 65 and Over Share of Share of County Disabled Disabled Population Age Group Population Population (%) (%) Cuyahoga 207,525 17.1% 47,890 42.3% Geauga 10,943 12.4% 1,915 28.7% Lake 30,278 13.9% 7,242 38.6% Lorain 44,969 16.3% 8,194 38.0% Medina 18,251 11.7% 3,824 38.0% Total 311,966 16.0% 69,065 40.6% Ohio 1,899,462 18.0% 352,778 41.6% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Map 4 shows the number of residents in the region who reported a disability in 2010. As with the previous map, it is divided into Census Tracts provided by the 2010 Census. Darker areas on the map indicate larger numbers of people with a disability. The map shows all residents aged five years and older with a disability who are not living in an institutional setting.

With the percentage of older residents projected to increase in the region over the next 20+ years, it can be assumed that the share of the entire population with a disability will likewise increase. If the share of the population aged 65 years and older with a disability remains the same in 2030 as in 2000 (40.8 percent), based on population projections for the region, the real increase for the number of disabled individuals in this age group between 2000 and 2030 will be approximately 58,000.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 23

Map 4

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Individuals with Low Income A segment of the population that may experience difficulty obtaining transportation services are those with low income. The poverty line, updated annually, is constant across the contiguous United States, but varies based on the number of members in a household. Currently, the poverty line is approximately $16,000 for a family of three and is $27,500 for a family of six. Using FTA’s 150 percent guideline, to qualify as low- income, a family of three would have an income of approximately $24,000 or less and a family of six would earn less than about $41,400. In 2000, approximately 20.9 percent of the nation’s population was below 150 percent of the poverty line and 12.4 percent was below the poverty line.

Poverty data for northeast Ohio, shown in Table 13a, indicates that in 2000, approximately 17.7 percent of the population was living below 150 percent of the poverty line and 10.8 percent was below the poverty line, both better than national rates. By 2010 the region was experiencing higher levels of poverty, with just over 21 percent of the population below 150 percent of the poverty and 13.6 percent below the poverty line. Table 13b shows the lowest level of poverty in the region in 2010 was in Medina County, with just over 10 percent of residents living below 150 percent of the poverty line and 5.9 percent living below the poverty line. Cuyahoga and Lorain counties had substantially higher rates of poverty with 25.4 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively. Cuyahoga County has poverty rates higher than both state and national averages.

Table 13a Individuals with Low Income by County, 2000 Below 150% of Poverty Below 100% of Poverty Line Line Total County Share of Share of Population Population Population Population Population (%) (%) Cuyahoga 1,365,658 286,451 21.0% 179,372 13.1% Geauga 89,980 8,856 9.8% 4,096 4.6% Lake 224,680 21,776 9.7% 11,372 5.1% Lorain 275,784 42,675 15.5% 24,809 9.0% Medina 149,347 12,478 8.4% 6,849 4.6% Total 2,105,449 372,236 17.7% 226,498 10.8% Ohio 11,046,987 1,996,472 18.1% 1,170,698 10.6% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 25 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Table 13b Individuals with Low Income by County, 2010 Below 150% of Poverty Below 100% of Poverty Line Line Total County Share of Share of Population Population Population Population Population (%) (%) Cuyahoga 1,269,094 321,932 25.4% 208,730 16.4% Geauga 97,062 13,615 14.0% 7,059 7.3% Lake 232,220 30,861 13.3% 17,823 7.7% Lorain 292,559 57,583 19.7% 36,822 12.6% Medina 168,488 17,129 10.2% 9,943 5.9% Total 2,059,423 441,120 21.4% 280,377 13.6% Ohio 11,194,344 2,459,692 22.0% 1,526,350 13.6% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Map 5 shows the concentrations of people with low income throughout the region based on households below the poverty line by Census Tract. As can be seen, Geauga, Lake and Medina counties have relatively few areas of concentrated poverty as shown by the lighter the color on the map. Cuyahoga and Lorain County have higher concentrations of poverty displayed by the darkest shades of color on the map. In Lorain County major areas of poverty exist around Elyria and the City of Lorain. Higher numbers of households in poverty occur along the western portions of Lake County, and in Cuyahoga County, poverty is more diffuse, though there is clustering around the City of Cleveland and in inner-ring suburbs, mirroring in large part the higher population densities of these areas.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 26

Map 5

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

In some portions of the region, public transportation is not as easily accessed, making access to a vehicle necessary for some to obtain and keep employment. In Northeast Ohio, about 10.5 percent of all households do not have access to a vehicle, which is around the national average of 10.3 percent and well above Ohio’s average of 8.1 percent. In Cuyahoga County, 13.3 percent of residents do not have access to a vehicle, probably due in part to the availability of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) service within the county and also a higher poverty rate. The other four counties in the region, however, are highly vehicle dependent, ranging from only 3.6 percent to 7.1 percent of households without access to a vehicle, as shown in Table14.

Table 14 Percent of Households Without a Vehicle Available, 2010 Households Total Without a Share of County Households Vehicle Households (%) Available Cuyahoga 537,203 71,704 13.3% Geauga 34,447 2,436 7.1% Lake 94,347 4,738 5.0% Lorain 115,534 7,373 6.4% Medina 64,813 2,310 3.6% Total 846,344 88,561 10.5% Ohio 4,554,007 371,041 8.1% Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Those with low income often spend a substantial amount of their pay on transportation services and may be in need of additional support to prevent lack of access to affordable transportation from being a barrier to employment, education, and related activities. According to the report United We Ride, “The poorest 20 percent spend approximately 40 percent of their take home pay on transportation.”3 Changes to public transit routes, transportation cuts in health and human service programs, unforeseen vehicle repairs, or increases in the cost for gasoline can all have a significant impact on this segment of the population.

Chapter 2 Study Area & Target Populations 28

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

3. Available Transportation Services & Providers

Current Transportation Providers The 2008 Coordinated Plan included extensive outreach to transit providers that included interviews, a mailed survey, use of public records, and Internet research. The information collected in the 2008 publication has been updated where possible. The 2015 update gathered information in a similar manner as in 2008. An online survey, transit agency interviews, queries of public records, and Internet-based research were all used to update the following listing of current transportation providers. Available services are divided by provider type: public, private, and nonprofit and other providers.

Public Providers The NOACA region is served by a total of six public transit agencies, the largest of which is the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), which primarily serves Cuyahoga County. GCRTA and Laketran, Lake County’s system, are the only systems to receive dedicated county tax revenues. Map 6 shows the most recent data for all fixed routes in the region. METRO, which serves Summit County, and PARTA, which serves Portage County, are outside NOACA’s region, but are displayed on the map to show the connections between counties and metropolitan areas.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 29

Map 6 Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 30

* All transit agency data below was provided by each transit agency in August 2014*

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Service Area: Cuyahoga County and portions of Lake, Summit, Medina, and Lorain counties (458 square miles) Population Served: 1,412,140 System Type: Urban Transit Agency Annual Passenger Miles: 223,790,455 Number of Passenger Trips: 49,206,289 Services: Fixed Route, Demand Response, Rail and User Subsidy Cost of Average Trip by Mode: $4.10 fixed route and $42.40 demand response

Standard Fares: Fixed route: $2.25; out-of-county, $3.50 Park-N-Ride fixed route: $2.50 Rapid: $2.25

Discounted Fares: Fixed route: Elderly/Disabled, $1.00 ($2.50 for all day pass) ADA Certified Paratransit passengers may ride fixed-route bus and rapid service at no cost Children aged 6-12: $2.50 (all day pass); Up to three children under 6 can ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult Students: $1.50 ($4.00 for all day pass) Paratransit: $2.25

Vehicle Fleet: 415 buses 17 trolleys 80 Paratransit vehicles 67 Contracted Paratransit vehicles 60 heavy-rail cars 48 light-rail cars 23 rapid transit vehicles (BRT)

Employees: GCRTA employs 2,227 people

Annual Expenditures: Operating: $235,990,584 Capital: $70,400,163

Funding Sources:

Operating Funds: $235,990,584 Federal: $15,832,337 (7%) State: $6,171,642 (2%) Local: $161,314,757 (68%) Fare Revenues: $51,178,808 (22%) Other Revenues: $1,493,047 (1%)

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 31

Capital Funds: $70,400,163 Federal: $39,548,845 (56%) Local: $30,851,318 (44%)

Annual Operating Expenditures: Total Operating Expenditures: $228,933,700 Salary, Wages & Benefits: $172,501,061 (75%) Materials and Supplies: $26,001,465 (11%) Purchased Transportation: $6,242,680 (3%) Other Operating Expenses: $24,188,494 (11%) Reconciling Cash Expenditures: $7,056,884

System Summary The principal mass transportation carrier in the Cleveland Urbanized Area is the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA). The GCRTA presently provides service to 59 municipalities and operates approximately 69 bus, five trolley, one bus-rapid transit, one heavy-rail and three light-rail lines. GCRTA bus service includes 455 buses, 1,000 shelters, 6,000 bus stops, and 74 routes, providing for a total of 13.7 million service miles. Rail service includes 60 heavy-rail cars, 48 light-rail cars, a total of 52 stations and a total of 35.3 miles of track, providing 3.2 million service miles. Bus-rapid transit service includes 23 vehicles, a total of 59 stations and three platform stops, providing 0.7 million service miles. In addition, GCRTA’s Paratransit District operates 80 vehicles with a variety of services designed for persons with disabilities and seniors. An additional 67 paratransit vehicles are operated via outside contracts. Combined, GCRTA provides 4.96 million paratransit service miles annually. The total area served by the GCRTA is approximately 457 square miles and contains a population of 1.4 million people. Ridership for 2013 totaled 49.2 million passenger trips.

Paratransit Services: Curb-to-curb demand response service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but reservations must be made via phone between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or 24 hours a day online. The paratransit pickup window is 20 minutes prior to and 20 minutes after a scheduled trip. Select individuals may be eligible for special door-to-door service. Service is available from any origination and to any destination in the GCRTA service area as long as the origin and destination are within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed route at a time when fixed route service is available. For those who are outside this three-quarter-mile boundary, service will be provided to ADA eligible riders within a five-mile radius in Cuyahoga County as space is available.

Out-of-County Service: GCRTA has free transfer agreements in place with the following regional transit providers: Laketran, Medina County Public Transit, Brunswick Transit Alternative, Portage Area RTA, Stark Area RTA and Akron Metro. When customers come into Cuyahoga County from these transit agencies, they can transfer to GCRTA services at no charge. Conversely, once a fare is paid on GCRTA for their return trip, there will be a credit offered to customers who transfer to these agencies in the amount of the GCRTA fare paid, which is typically $2.25. GCRTA offers limited connections to other transit providers for service to Lake, Lorain, Medina, and Summit counties. For connections to GCRTA from Laketran, Metro RTA, Medina County Public Transit, or Brunswick Transit Alternative, passengers with valid transfers may board one bus or train for free.

• Lake County connections via route #28 connecting with Laketran’s #2 to Willoughby and #39 connecting with Laketran’s #6 to Mentor • Summit County connections to downtown Akron via route #77F at the Brecksville Veterans Administration Hospital to Akron Metro #101 • Medina County connection via route #451 to Laurel Square connecting with Brunswick Transit Alternative and Medina County Transit

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 32

Laketran Service Area: Lake County and portions of Cuyahoga County (227 square miles) Population Served: 229,885 System Type: Urban Transit Agency Annual Passenger Miles: 8,247,749 Number of Passenger Trips: 726,166 Services: Local fixed route, commuter, and demand response Cost of Average Trip by Mode: $8.62 fixed route and $33.42 demand response

Standard Fares: Fixed route: $1.75 Commuter Express: $3.75 Dial-A-Ride: $10.00 in-county and $20.00 service to Cleveland medical facilities

Discounted Fares: Local fixed route: Elderly/Disabled and children ages 2-12, $0.75 Commuter express: $1.50 Student fare Paratransit: Seniors/disabled $2.50 in county and $5.00 to Cleveland medical facilities

Vehicle Fleet: 18 Fixed Route Buses 76 Demand Response 22 Commuter Buses

Employees: LAKETRAN employs 168 people

Annual Expenditures: Operating: $13,929,911 Capital: $ 2,479,557

Funding Sources: Operating Funds: $13,929,911 Federal: $2,994,015 (21.5%) State: $ 998,468 (7.2%) Local: $7,698,568 (55.3%) Fare Revenues: $1,352,620 (9.7%) Other Revenues: $ 886,240 (6.3%)

Capital Funds: $2,479,557 Federal: $2,025,149 (82%) Local: $ 454,408 (18%)

Annual Operating Expenditures: Total Operating Expenditures: $12,005,501 Salary, Wages & Benefits: $8,128,713 (67.7%) Materials and Supplies: $1,820,582 (15.2%) Purchased Transportation: $ 504,529 (4.2%) Other Operating Expenses: $1,551,677 (12.9%) Reconciling Cash Expenditures: $0 Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 33

System Summary Laketran provides three types of bus services: local fixed routes, commuter express routes and demand response. All services are open to the public, including Dial-a-Ride, the agency’s door-to-door demand response service. The fleet that services these routes consists of two 16-passenger vans and 16 low-floor buses for local routes, 22 motor coach buses for commuter express routes, and 76 paratransit vans for Dial-a- Ride. Laketran’s fleet is 100 percent accessible.

Laketran’s Local Fixed Routes 1-6 operate within the county along major corridors with bus stops at quarter- mile intervals. Service is hourly, Monday through Friday.

Paratransit Services: Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door, assisted transportation shared-ride service. Service is limited to destinations within Lake County and to limited medical facilities in Cleveland. Laketran will pick passengers up at home (or another origin) and drop them off at work, medical appointments, or any other destination in Lake County. Reservations are required.

Out-of-County Paratransit Service: This is a door-to-door, shared ride service to major medical facilities in Cleveland. Passengers are picked up at home (or another origin) and dropped off at the hospital or medical facility. The trip may be combined with others, therefore the pickup and drop-off times may vary from the rider’s desired or preferred times. The bus may also make other stops while it takes riders to their destinations.

Out-of-County Commuter Service: Laketran provides regular Commuter Express service into downtown Cleveland every weekday via five routes. Laketran's Commuter Express service takes commuters from Lake County to downtown Cleveland economically, safely, and on time. Laketran offers five commuter routes that begin between Madison and Wickliffe. Service operates Mondays through Fridays only. Routes depart to Cleveland as early as 5:30 a.m. and return to Lake County as late as 7:15 p.m. Additionally, connections can be made with GCRTA via Laketran route #2 from Willoughby connecting with GCRTA’s #28 or Laketran routes #3 and #6 on weekdays and route #2 on Saturdays from Mentor connecting with GCRTA’s #39.

Current Coordination Efforts: Laketran works with the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCDD) and Lake County Job and Family Services (LCJFS) to provide transportation for various programs. In the case of LCJFS, Laketran is the primary provider; clients call Laketran directly for transportation and Laketran staff works with LCJFS staff to approve and provide the transportation. For LCDD Laketran provides service to supplement LCDD’s own bus fleet. Laketran works closely with LCDD to transport higher functioning clients to work and any other destination they require.

Laketran also facilitates transportation for the City of Wickliffe and Breckenridge Village, a retirement community in Willoughby. Each uses its own vehicles and schedules their own rides. Laketran partially funds the service for each entity, which allows each entity and Laketran to ultimately provide more service to the clients than would otherwise be possible. It also allows each entity to work directly with its customers, providing a very high level of customer service.

In addition to the relationships mentioned above, Laketran also works closely with GCRTA. GCRTA and Laketran accept each other’s transfers so customers do not have to pay fares on each system. GCRTA provides road call assistance for Laketran buses when there is a problem in downtown Cleveland. Laketran and GCRTA frequently combine planning efforts to ensure a seamless transfer between service areas. Laketran recently installed signage to improve the connection between Laketran’s route 2 & GCRTA route 28, making it even easier for passengers to transfer between services.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 34

Lorain County Transit (LCT) Service Area: Lorain County (295 square miles) Population Served: 284,664 System Type: Urban Transit Agency Annual Passenger Miles: 230,440 Number of Passenger Trips: 70,152 Services: Fixed route and demand response Cost of Average Trip by Mode: $17.47 fixed route and $47.65 demand response

Standard Fares: Fixed route: $3.60 ($6.25 all day pass), book of 10 tickets $32.40, monthly pass $144.00 Under age 2 free Demand response: $8.75

Discounted Fares: Fixed route: Elderly/disabled, $1.80; book of 10 tickets $16.20 Students: $16.00; monthly pass $72.00 Paratransit: Elderly/disabled, $4.35 Under age 2: free

Vehicle Fleet: 4 Fixed Route vehicles 3 Demand Response vehicles

Employees: LCT employs 1 person

Annual Expenditures: Operating: $1,375,692 Capital: $0

Funding Sources:

Operating Funds: $1,375,692 Federal: $841,662 (61%) State: $131,362 (10%) Local: $264,207 (19%) Fare Revenues: $136,676 (10%) Other Revenues: $1,784 (0%)

Capital Funds: $0 Federal: $0 (0%) State: $0 (0%) Local: $0 (0%) Other Revenues: $0 (0%)

Annual Operating Expenditures: Total Operating Expenditures: $1,375,692 Salary, Wages & Benefits: $67,922 (5%) Materials and Supplies: $1,802 (0%) Purchased Transportation: $1,276,658 (93%) Other Operating Expenses: $19,310 (1%) Reconciling Cash Expenditures: $0 Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 35

System Summary LCT has four fixed routes that operate with variable levels of service depending on the route between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays.

Paratransit Services: Curb-to-curb demand response service, called Dial-A-Ride, is available from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. The Dial-A-Ride pickup window is 15 minutes prior to and 15 minutes after a scheduled trip. Reservations may be made up to two weeks in advance.

Out-of-County Service: None

Current Coordination Efforts: The City of Oberlin contracts with Lorain County Transit to provide a demand- response transit service in Oberlin on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The bus makes trips to Elyria and Lorain on Thursdays. Passenger fares for is $3.60 for adults, and $1.80 for seniors, low-income and children ages 3-12. An all-day pass is $6.25.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 36

Geauga County Transit Service Area: Geauga County (414 square miles) Population Served: 93,389 (2010 census) System Type: Rural Transit Agency Annual Passenger Miles: 344,910 Number of Passenger Trips: 62,330 Services: Demand response Cost of Average Trip by Mode: $17.56

Standard Fares: Demand Response: $6.00 Extra stops $1.00 Out-of-county, double fare

Discounted Fares: Elderly/Disabled and ages 6-17, $3.00 Under age 6 free

Vehicle Fleet: 16 Light Transit Vehicles (LTVs)

Employees: Geauga County Transit employs 28 people

Annual Expenditures: Operating: $1,094,268 Capital: $412,217

Funding Sources: Operating Funds: $1,094,268 Federal: $504,402 (46%) State: $199,581 (18%) Local: $41,765 (4%) Fare Revenues: $85,464 (8%) Other Revenues: $263,056 (24%)

Capital Funds: $412,217 Federal: $370,995 (90%) State: $0 (0%) Local: $41,222 (10%) Other Revenues: $0 (0%)

Annual Operating Expenditures: Total Operating Expenditures: $1,094,268 Salary, Wages & Benefits: $833,171 (76%) Materials and Supplies: Purchased Transportation: Other Operating Expenses: Reconciling Cash Expenditures:

System Summary GCT operates a purely demand response system throughout Geauga County. Services are provided on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Service is available to anyone in Geauga County.

Paratransit Services: All GCT service is door-to-door demand response.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 37

Medina County Public Transit (MCPT) Service Area: All of Medina County (421 square miles) Population Served: 172,332 (2010 census) System Type: Urban Transit Agency Annual Passenger Miles: 534,087 Number of Passenger Trips: 101,751 Services: Demand response, curb to curb transit service, deviated fixed route Cost of Average Trip by Mode: $17.51

Standard Fares: Fixed route: $1.50 per ride, $4.00 all day for a pass Children 12 and under: free Paratransit: $4.00 general public, $2.00 elderly and disabled

Vehicle Fleet: 19 Light Transit Vehicles (LTVs)

Employees: MCT employs 55 people Operations: 50 General Administration: 3

Annual Expenditures: Operating: $1,781,423 Capital: $191,100

Funding Sources: Operating Funds: $1,781,423 Federal: $866,048 (48%) State: $172,854 (10%) Local: $31,983 (2%) Passenger Fares: $49,328 (3%) Other Revenues: $474,820 (27%)

Capital Funds: $191,000 Federal: $171,900 (90%) State: $0 (0%) Local: $19,100 (10%) Other Revenues: $0 (0%)

Annual Operating Expenditures: Total Operating Expenditures: Salary, Wages & Benefits: $384,518 Fuel: Materials and Supplies: Purchased Transportation: Other Operating Expenses: Reconciling Cash Expenditures:

System Summary Medina County Public Transit (MCPT) is an urban transit system that serves all persons within Medina County. MCPT operates curb-to-curb demand response service Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 38

p.m. MCPT also operates five fixed route loops in the City of Medina and Wadsworth Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays MCPT runs only fixed routes from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Medina and Wadsworth. MCPT relies on assistance from federal and state governments in addition to the contributed services as well as financial assistance from the Medina County Board of Commissioners. Other portions of Medina County’s local share come from contracts with local agencies, exterior advertising on the revenue vehicles, fares, and elderly and disabled fare assistance from the state.

Currently, MCPT does not offer demand response rides that originate and terminate within the city limits of the City of Brunswick. Service in the City of Brunswick is provided by the Brunswick Transit Alternative (BTA).

Paratransit Services: Currently, the fleet of 19 vehicles that MCPT operates is wheelchair accessible and all service is curb to curb. MCPT also allows for eligible passengers to be accompanied by a personal care attendant who may ride MCPT at no additional charge. All trips by MCPT are in-county only.

Current Coordination Efforts: MCPT coordinates with GCRTA and BTA at Laurel Square shopping center in Brunswick and is also part of the regional fare agreement for free transfers.

Private Providers

Intraregional Taxicabs, Shuttles & Limousines: • 1-800-TAXICAB Cleveland – Cleveland • A Touch Of Class Limousine Service - Cleveland • A-1 Mr. limo – Cleveland • A7 Transportation Services – Cleveland • AAA Airport Taxi Services – Garfield Heights • ABC Taxi Company – Cleveland • Ace Taxi Service – Cleveland • Affordable Limousine – Olmstead Falls • Airport Taxi Service – Cleveland • Airport Transportation Service – Cleveland • American Limousine Service - Lakewood • Areawide Airport Shuttle – Euclid • Backup Limo and Taxi – Cleveland • Beachwood Limousine Airport – Cleveland • Black Cab- Independence • Brentwood Limousines – Cleveland • Cabby Bill’s taxi Service – Lakewood • Captains Car Service – Parma • Cleveland First Class Transportation – Warrensville Heights • Cleveland Taxi – Cleveland • Company Car & Limousine – Cleveland • Credit Card Taxi – Cleveland • Eastside Transportation – Beachwood • Eroc’s Underground Limo Service – Cleveland • Euclid Black Cab – Euclid • Evening Grace Transportation – Cleveland/Akron • J&K Transportation – Westlake Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 39

• Judah Cab & transportation Network – Cleveland Area • Mr. Formal Limousine Service – Cleveland • Need A Ride – Cleveland • Need a Ride Taxi – Parma • One Sixty Mile Transportation – Cleveland • Shima Limousine - Mentor • Sotak Auto Livery Inc. – Cleveland • Southwest Cab – Brook Park • Super Express Transportation – Cleveland • Taxicabs, Shuttles & Limousines: • United Cab Company - Cleveland • V.I.P. Express Taxi Service – Cleveland • Westlake Cab Company – Rocky River • Wolley Taxi Company – Cleveland • Yellow Cab – Cleveland

Charter Bus Service: • All Aboard Charter & Tours – Cleveland • D&L Charter – Cleveland area • Great Day Tours & Charter bus Service – Broadview heights • J&F Transportation – Cleveland • Lakefront Lines – Cleveland • Lakefront Trailways – Cleveland • Midtown Express Bus Lines • Trolley Tours of Cleveland – Cleveland

Medical/Ambulette Service: • American Medical Response – Cleveland • Marten Donald & Sons Ambulance Service Inc. - Cleveland • Miracle Medical Transportation Inc. - Cleveland • Mobil Martin Wheelchair Limousine – Cleveland • Ohio Ambulance Service - Euclid • Physicians Ambulance Service - Cleveland • Planet Medical Transportation – Cleveland Heights • Tri-County Ambulance Service – Mentor

Interregional The five-county region of northeast Ohio is served by a number of inter-regional transportation providers. Ample air, passenger rail, and bus service is available. Summary information on these providers is listed below.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 40

Air Two commercial airports, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), serve the five-county region of northeast Ohio. Burke Lakefront Airport supplements Hopkins Airport by providing corporate and general aviation service to downtown Cleveland. The following airlines operate out of Hopkins Airport: • Air Canada • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Southwest Airlines • United Airlines • US Airways

Hopkins airport provides automobile parking for individuals with disabilities at its garages, has a number of automated walkways, ADA accessible elevators, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms in each of its four concourses and in the baggage claim area. For those with mobility issues, electric cart service is available in the concourses, and individual airlines provide wheelchair service upon passenger request.

Additional airline service is available just outside the NOACA area at the Akron Canton Airport, which provides 90 daily flights aboard AirTran Airways, Delta Connection, Southwest, United Airlines and US Airways.

Rail Amtrak provides passenger rail service for two routes, the Capitol Limited and the Lake Shore Limited, through stations in downtown Cleveland and Elyria. The Capitol Limited runs daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C., with a total of 16 stops in-between, including Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Alliance, and Pittsburgh. The Lake Shore Limited also provides daily service between Chicago and New York City, with connecting service to Boston. The route serves a total of 25 cities. Both stations in the region operate limited hours of operation based on the schedule of the two routes, but restrooms and baggage assistance are available during operational hours.

Amtrak offers limited online reservations for passengers with a disability. Presently, reservations may be made on Amtrak.com for passengers who are deaf or have a hearing loss, passengers who are blind or have a vision loss, and passengers with a disability who need space for a wheeled mobility device. For passengers with disabilities or who need special accommodations, Amtrak requires that tickets be purchased over the telephone or in person at a ticket counter. This applies to any passenger who needs wheelchair space, transfer seats, and accessible sleeper accommodations. Discounts are available to passengers with disabilities with eligible proof, including a physician’s letter or a transit system ID card.

Bus Fixed route inter-regional bus service is provided by Greyhound and Mega Bus. Charter bus service is offered by a number of companies, including Lakefront Lines and Cleveland Southeast Trails, as listed in the intraregional section.

Greyhound operates bus terminals in Elyria and downtown Cleveland. The Greyhound fleet consists of about 1,775 buses and the line carried more than 18 million passengers to more than 3,800 destinations in North America in 2012. Greyhound provides bus service to destinations such as Akron, Columbus, Mansfield, Toledo, Erie, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA, along with service to surrounding states.

Greyhound provides assistance to individuals with disabilities for boarding and deboarding buses, and can also help with a passenger’s luggage and at transfers. Its bus fleet is lift-equipped and can accommodate mobility aids that do not exceed 600 pounds including the weight of the passenger. The maximum mobility aid

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 41

dimensions accepted are 30 inches wide and 48 inches high. Greyhound asks that clients with disabilities who need special accommodations contact the company 48 hours in advance.

Another provider of inter-regional bus service in northeast Ohio is Megabus. This low-price carrier offers direct service from Cleveland to limited destinations in the Midwest and East Coast. Passengers board outside Tower City Center in downtown Cleveland. Service to Chicago via Toledo is available. From Chicago, passengers can continue on to Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St. Paul, to St. Louis and Kansas City, Nashville, Memphis, Ann Arbor to Detroit, or Indianapolis to Cincinnati and Columbus.

Megabus and can provide assistance to those with walking difficulties, those who normally use wheelchairs or scooters, and customers with service animals and breathing aids, among others. Megabus provides assistance boarding and deboarding the bus for passengers with mobility impairments. Customers with special requirements can make reservations through the Megabus website or over the phone.

Nonprofit & Other Transportation Providers Northeast Ohio has a variety of transportation providers. Many human service agencies (public, pubic nonprofit, private for-profit, and private nonprofit) operate transportation directly, while others provide transit passes, offer mileage reimbursements, or supplement the transportation needs of clients. In developing the 2008 Coordinated Plan and the 2015 Coordinated Plan update, outreach efforts included gathering input and participation from these entities.

Tables 15, 16, and 17 list organizations (private, public, and nonprofit) that operate transportation services and that returned the stakeholder mailed survey (2008), the online survey (2012), or the emailed Human Service Provider Transportation Provider Survey (2014). Basic organization information, such as location and service area, is listed in Table 15. The type of service offered, the level of service (i.e., curb-to-curb or door-to-door), and hours that services are generally available are listed in Tables 16 and 17.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 42

Table 15 Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria City Funding Name Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Cuyahoga County

2100 Lakeside, A Yes - no Lutheran All shelter personal trips Private Private Social Cuyahoga Greater Metropolitan Cleveland residents are and trips must nonprofit Service Agency County Cleveland Ministries eligible be authorized by Agency* administration

Northeast Cuyahoga, Lake, Private for- Private Ohio/Greate Lorain, Geauga, Ace Taxi Service* Cleveland None None profit Transportation r Cleveland Medina and Region Summit

Individual guardians transport in their no budget for own cars their Adult Private Private Social Cuyahoga transportation, wards to various Guardianship Cleveland No nonprofit Service Agency County only just mileage appointments. Services reimbursement Mostly in Cuyahoga Co. but sometimes out-of-county

Only if client is Broadview Human Cuyahoga, Lake Broadview Broadview too frail for our Heights Human Public Services/Senior No + Summit Hts. Heights vehicles Services* Center Counties

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 43

Brooklyn senior residents and senior residents From City of from other Age restriction: Brooklyn to Metro 55 years and Brooklyn Senior communitie 55+ is Hospital, Parma older unless Brooklyn Public Senior Center Center s, but organization Hospital, Kaiser handicapped - in transportati policy Permanente, and set boundaries on is areas in between available to Brooklyn residents only

City of Bay Village Age 60+ or Bay 7-mile radius Department of Public Senior Center Bay Village Yes disabled and a Village from Bay Village Community resident Services* Must be 60 Berea, Brook years or disabled Park, Middleburg adult. Must be Hts, Olmsted able to get on City of Funding Falls, Olmsted and off bus with Municipal Berea in City of Berea* Berea Public mandate of Township, minimal Government Cuyahoga Section 5310 Columbia assistance. County Township, N. Resident of Olmsted, member Strongsville community

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 44

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Cuyahoga County (continued) Yes, 60+ only, [geographically constrained to most of All of Cuyahoga Cuyahoga Co. County except less Rocky City money for City of Brecksville Rocky River, Bay River, Bay, Brecksv 60 + and Human Services Public Senior Center Brecksville Village, Westlake, Westlake, and ille residents in Center* and adjacent adjacent wheelchairs communities in communities in Summit County Summit Co.], No social rides. Excluded cities are because of distance. Lake County, City Lake and City of Euclid Senior 60 + Euclid of Euclid and must be 60+ and Euclid Public Senior Center Cuyahoga Programs* Residents downtown resident Counties Cleveland Will travel North to Rocky River; Geographically 55+ is West to North to service area mandated by Olmsted, described, by Fairview Private non- Fairview our funders, Westlake and age (55+) or City of Fairview Park Senior Center Park profit Park with disability Bay Village; East disabled, and by is mandated to Fairview activity as it by our funders Hospital and needs to be a Kamms Corners necessary trip area Neighborhood/ Residency, Age, City of Indepen Independen 60 + residents Public Community Cuyahoga county Income, program Independence* dence ce only Center capacity

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 45

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Cuyahoga County (continued) Age, disability, City of Lakewood, Cuyahoga Cuyahoga Department of Lakewo Funding Limited service Public Senior Center County - County - Human Services, od mandate area Lakewood Lakewood Division of Aging resident North Royalton, Parma Hts., Seniors 55 + Middleburg Hts., North Royalton, North Office on Residents and anyone Strongsville only City of North Parma, Parma Royalto Public Aging/Human of North under or over & Veteran's Royalton* Hts., Middleburg n Services Royalton 60 with outpatient facility Hts., Strongsville Disabilities in Parma. Must bed residents of North Royalton ~25 mile radius in 60 yrs old and City of Solon, Cuy. Cty. and into City of those with Department of Solon Public Senior Center borders of unless disabled Solon Permanent Senior Services* surrounding Disabilities counties Clevela Cleveland Heights Municipal Cleveland Resident and nd Public Seniors Cuyahoga county Office on Aging* government heights age 60+ Heights Highland Five member Hts, cities, east to Political Lyndhurst, Hillcrest Hospital, Community subdivision, not South West to Taylor age, number of South Partnership on Public for profit. Euclid, 60 and over Rd., North to trips in some Euclid Aging* 501c3 status Mayfield Wilson Mills, situations pending Heights, South to Chagrin Mayfield Blvd and eastside Village medical facilities

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 46

Strongsville, North Royalton, Yes, by Will not go Ehrnfelt Service Strongs From Strongsville Public Senior Center Middleburg funding th outside service Center ville to W. 117 Hts., Berea, mandate area Parma, and Brunswick

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 47

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Cuyahoga County (continued) Seniors and Hispanic Senior Clevela Private Senior Center Cuyahoga those of Low Cleveland Age and income Center* nd nonprofit Income Mostly eastern suburbs. Eastern Oakwoo There are Cuyahoga, Home Instead Private for- Private Social five other d n/a Northern Summit No Senior Care* profit Service Agency HISC Village locations in and Western NE Ohio, all Geauga Counties individually owned Clients, Jennings Center for Garfield Private Cuyahoga Cuyahoga residents and Older Adults Hts nonprofit Senior Center County n/a County tenants only Cuyahoga, Geauga Yes, according Cuyahoga, Jewish Family Beachw Private Private Social and Lake to funding Geauga, and Service Association* ood nonprofit Service Agency counties source Summit Counties No Nursing Eastern Judson Retirement Clevela Private Home/Assisted Cuyahoga Downtown to Community* nd nonprofit Living Co. No Mayfield & 91 Area and time Geographic area Lakewood Senior Lakewo Private Cuyahoga No funding City of Lakewood Senior Center (in Lakewood Citizens Inc. od nonprofit Co. source only only) Linking Employment Cuyahoga, Cuyahoga, Clevela Private Independent Ages 14+ with a Abilities and Lorain, Erie, n/a Lorain, Erie, nd nonprofit Living Center disability Potential (LEAP) Geauga Geauga Cuyahoga- Beachwood, S. Neighborhood/ varies Mandel Jewish Beachw Private primarily Euclid, Lyndhurst, Funders restrict Community inner-ring & depending on University Hts., Community Center ood nonprofit us Center suburbs in funder Cleveland Hts., east Mayfield Hts. Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 48

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Cuyahoga County (continued) Beachw Private Private Social Greater Greater Nursing home Montefiore* n/a ood nonprofit Service Agency Cleveland Cleveland resident Parma, Parma Commission Seven Hills Parma, Seven Private 60+ = funding on Aging (Parma Parma Senior Center and limited Hills, limited Age and location nonprofit mandate Senior Center)* Parma Parma Heights Heights 60+ we receive 60+ within the funding All of the City of City of Parma assistance Parma Heights, Heights from DSAs + Parma Hospital (residents Parma Heights Parma Private Parma Senior Center WRAAA; area, Kaiser however, Senior Center* Heights nonprofit Heights disabled-we Hospital and activities are receive Southwest open to funding General Hospital Cuyahoga Co. assistance residents from DSA's. Clients must be a member of PLAN, PLAN is a membership organization Cuyahoga PLAN of Northeast Lyndhur Private Mental Health for individuals Cuyahoga Planned group and Summit Ohio, Inc.* st nonprofit Agency with mental County activities counties illness, cognitive disabilities and Autism Spectrum disorders. Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 49

Cleveland (University Circle), Westlake, Highland Hills, plus Adults with developmental Cuyahoga, numerous United Cerebral disabilities. Clevela Private Private Social Lake, independent living, Palsy of Greater No 2 group homes, Funding nd nonprofit Service Agency Lorain Cleveland* and multiple mandate & Counties supported organization employment and policy job training sites in Cuyahoga, Lake & Lorain Counties Brookly Village of Do not have Out of local area Village of Brooklyn Public, Municipal n Brooklyn No established requires mayoral Heights* NonProfit Government Heights Hts boundaries approval

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 50

Euclid General Lake Hospital (E. Municipal County - City 185th) to Hillcrest Age 55+ or City of Wickliffe* Wickliffe Public Government City of established Hospital to disabled Wickliffe Mentor Area - Lake Hospital System Satellite Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 51

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Lake County (continued) Lake We own a small County area 12-passenger Fairport Harbor Fairport Private Public Social and n/a can that we use 55+ Senior Center Harbor nonprofit Service Agency Geauga to go out of the area county All of Lake Co. Lake & 3 to 5 yrs old Lake-Geauga United Private School/College/ and the eastern Perry Geauga due to funding Geographic area Head Start, Inc. nonprofit University half of Geauga Counties mandate Co. Lorain County Limited to four Lorain County Clients must be Avon County Lorain days per week and Western able to board City of Avon Lake Public Lake Government County and limited Cuyahoga bus by hours County themselves Resident and Approximately Resident and City of Avon Senior Municipal Avon Public City of Avon senior or 12mile radius of senior, or Center* Government disabled Avon disabled Lorain - Ohio Public Social Lorain Federal Department of Jobs Elyria Public Lorain County Non-ambulatory Service Agency County Poverty Level and Family Services Provide services to must be clients Murray Ridge Lorain Those with within Lorain Elyria Public people with of Lorain County Production Center* County Disabilities County developmental Board of DD disabilities LaGrange, N. City of N. 60+, live within Must be 60+, live Ridgeville, Ridgeville and North Ridgeville North service area, within our Columbia Twp. of Carlisle, Office for Older Ridgevil Public Senior Center and pretty service area, Twp, Eaton, Columbia Twp., Adults* le much self- and pretty much Grafton, Eaton, Grafton, sufficient be self-sufficient Carlisle and LaGrange Twp. Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 52

Public + Private Nonprofit and For-Profit Transportation Providers Counties Transportation Organization Organization and Transportation Trip Criteria Organization Name City Funding Type Description Municipaliti Service Area Restrictions Restrictions es Served Lorain County (continued) Avon, Avon Lake, Westlake, No boundaries. Nursing Bay Village, St. Mary of the Private 62 years and Primarily within Avon Home/Assisted Lorain, n/a Woods nonprofit older Cleveland Living Lorain Western suburbs County, Cuyahoga County Medina County Private Mental health Medina Severely Alternative Paths Medina n/a Medina county nonprofit Agency county mentally ill Must be elderly, disabled or have Private Faith-based Medina a medical Faith in Action* Medina None Medina county nonprofit organization county condition (permanent or temporary) Brunswick, Medina County Public Social Medina County residents Medina Public n/a Medina, ADAMH Board Service Agency county who are indigent Wadsworth By activity - go Nursing Medina, all out to lunch, Private for- Facility bus for Medina Meadows Medina Home/Assisted surrounding n/a park, fair, events profit activities only Living counties in community for seniors Residents limited to come from Western Reserve Private current Currently no Medina Other all over the No Masonic Community nonprofit residency in radius limitation county facility [Medina] *Service Provider Information Updated in 2014

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 53

Table 16 Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type s Cuyahoga County 2100 Lakeside, A Lutheran Metropolitan X X X X Ministries Agency* Ace Taxi X X X X X X Service* Adult As needed for Guardianship X X appointments Services Broadview Heights X X X X X Human Services* Brooklyn X X X X X Senior Center City of Bay Village Department of X X X X Community Services* City of Berea* X X X X X City of Brecksville X - Human X X X X X X Limited Services Center* City of Euclid driver will Senior assist if Programs* X X X needed

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 54

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type: s Cuyahoga County (continued) City of X X X X X X Fairview Park City of Independence X X X X X * City of Lakewood, Department of Human X X X X X X X Services, Division of Aging Will transport seniors in HUD bldg for City of North X X X X X unplanned X X X X Royalton* trips when time is available. out of Solon City of Solon, provided by Department of X X X STC, in Solon X X X Senior provided by Services* us Cleveland Heights Office X X X X on Aging* only for Community subcontracte agency Partnership on X X X X d out programmin Aging* g

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 55

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type: s Cuyahoga County (continued) Routes are based on transporting people with developmental Cuyahoga disabilities to County Board and from day programs and of X X X X employment Developmenta sites. We also l Disabilities* provide transportation for agency- sponsored field trips and other special events. Earnest J. Bohn Golden Age Center Ehrnfelt X X X Service Center Hispanic X X Senior Center* Home Instead X X X X X Senior Care* Jennings Center for X Older Adults Jewish Family Service X X X X Association*

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 56

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type: s Cuyahoga County (continued) Judson Retirement X X X X Community* Lakewood In local area Senior X with Citizens Inc. reservations Linking Employment Abilities and Potential (LEAP) Mandel Jewish Community X X Center Montefiore* X Parma Commission on Aging X X X X X X X (Parma Senior Center)* Parma Heights X X Senior Center* PLAN of Northeast X X X X Ohio, Inc.* Recovery X X Resources Senior Transportation X X X X X X X Connection*

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 57

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type: s Cuyahoga County (continued) Southwest X General United Cerebral Palsy X X X X X X X of Greater Cleveland* Village of Brooklyn X X X X X X X X Heights* Village of X X X X North Randall Village of X X X X X X X Walton Hills West Side Community X X X X House* Geauga County Geauga County X X X X Department on Aging Lake County Auburn Career

Center City of X X X X X Wickliffe* Fairport Trips to Harbor Senior X events and Center one-day trips

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 58

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Drivers Transportatio Demand Curb Door Door- Can Help Driver's Organization Fixed Organization- Standing n Services Respons Other -to- -to- Through with Discretio Name Route Scheduled Reservations Provided: e Curb Door -Door Package n Other Type: s Lake County (continued) Lake-Geauga United Head X X Start, Inc. Lorain County City of Avon X Lake City of Avon X X Senior Center* Lorain - Ohio Department of Jobs and X X Family Services Through Murray Ridge First Production Student X X X X X X Center* Contrac t North Ridgeville X X X X Office for Older Adults* St. Mary of the X X X Woods Medina County Alternative X Paths Faith in X X X X Action* Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 59

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 60

Table 17 Human Service Agency Transportation Services Organization Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Holidays Cuyahoga County 4:00-7:00 4:00-7:00 4:00-7:00 4:00-7:00 2100 Lakeside, A 4:00-7:00 am; 4:00-7:00 4:00-7:00 am; 8:00 am; 8:00 am; 8:00 am; 8:00 Lutheran 8:00 am-4:00 4:00-7:00 am; am; 7:00 am; 7:00 am-4:00 pm; am-4:00 pm; am-4:00 pm; am-4:00 Metropolitan pm; 7:00 pm- 7:00 pm-1:00 am pm-1:00 pm-1:00 7:00 pm- 7:00 pm- 7:00 pm- pm; 7:00 Ministries Agency* 1:00 am am am 1:00 am 1:00 am 1:00 am pm-1:00 am Ace Taxi Service* 24/7 24/7 24/7 24/7 24/7 Adult Guardianship 9:00 am- 9:00 am- 9:00 am-5:00 9:00 am- 9:00 am-

Services 5:00 pm 5:00 pm pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm We do weekend/evening trips for Broadview Heights 7:00-5:00 7:00-5:00 7:00-5:00 7:00-5:00 7:00-5:00 pm social/recreational Human Services* pm pm pm pm purposes throughout the month Brooklyn Senior 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am-3:30 8:30 am- 8:30 am-

Center 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm City of Bay Village Department of 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am-4:00 8:30 am- 8:30 am-

Community 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm Services* 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-3:30 8:00 am- 8:00 am- City of Berea* 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm City of Brecksville 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am-4:00 8:30 am- 8:30 am- Human Services 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm Center* City of Euclid Senior 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to Programs* 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am-2:00 8:30 am- 8:30 am- City of Fairview Park 2:00 pm 2:00 pm pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 61

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Organization Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Holidays Cuyahoga County City of 7:00 am- 7:00 am- 7:00 am-3:30 7:00 am- 7:00 am-

Independence* 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm City of Lakewood, Department of 8:15 am- 8:15 am- 8:15 am-4:15 8:15 am- 8:15 am- Human Services, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm pm 4:15 pm 4:15 pm Division of Aging

2:30pm- City of North 8am-- 8am-- 8am-- 8am-- 5:30pm 8am--3:30pm no no Royalton* 3:30pm 3:30pm 3:30pm 3:30pm once a month City of Solon, 8:15 am - 8:15 am - 8:15 am - 4:00 8:15 am - 8:15 am - Department of 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm Senior Services* Cleveland Heights 8:45 am- 8:45 am- 8:45 am-4:30 8:45 am- 8:45 am-

Office on Aging* 4:30 pm 4:30 pm pm 4:30 pm 4:30 pm Community 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am- Partnership on 4:30pm with 4:30pm with 4:30pm with 4:30pm with 4:30pm with

Aging* some some some some some exceptions exceptions exceptions exceptions exceptions Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities* Earnest J. Bohn

Golden Age Center Ehrnfelt Service 7:30 am- 7:30 am- 7:30 am-3:30 7:30 am- 7:30 am-

Center 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm Hispanic Senior 7 am to 1 7 am to 1 7 am to 1 7 am to 1 pm 7 am to 1 pm Center* pm pm pm Home Instead Senior Care* As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 62

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Organization Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Holidays Cuyahoga County (continued) 6:45a.m - 6:45a.m - 6:45a.m - 6:45a.m - 6:45a.m - 5:00 5:00p.m. for 5:00p.m. for 5:00p.m. for 5:00p.m. for p.m. for ADC Jennings Center for ADC 9:30 ADC 9:30 ADC 9:30 ADC 9:30 9:00a.m. - 9:30a.m. - Older Adults a.m. - 2:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. - 2:30 11:00 a.m 2:30p.m. for p.m. for rest p.m. for rest p.m. for rest p.m. for rest rest of campus of campus of campus of campus of campus Jewish Family 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-7:00 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-7:00 pm Service Association* 7:00 pm 7:00 pm pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm Judson Retirement 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-3:30 8:00 am- 8:00 am- Some

Community* 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm service Lakewood Senior 9:00 am- 9:00 am- 9:00 am-3:30 9:00 am- 9:00 am-

Citizens Inc. 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm Linking Employment Abilities and Potential (LEAP) Mandel Jewish 10:30 am- 10:30 am- 10:30 am-2:30 10:30 am- 10:30 am- 10:30 am-2:30 10:30 am- Some Community Center 2:30 pm 2:30 pm pm 2:30 pm 2:30 pm pm 2:30 pm service when when when when Montefiore* when needed needed needed needed needed Parma Commission 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-3:30 8:00 am- 8:00 am- on Aging (Parma 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm Senior Center)* Parma Heights 8:15 am- 8:15 am- 8:15 am-3:00 8:15 am- 8:15 am- Times vary Times vary Times vary Senior Center* 3:00 pm 3:00 pm pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm PLAN of Northeast 9:00 am - 9:00 am - 9:00 am - 5:00 9:00 am- 9:00 am - 3:00 pm- 1:00 pm- 4:00pm Ohio, Inc.* 5:00pm 5:00pm pm 5:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 8:30 am- 8:30 am- 8:30 am-5:00 8:30 am- 8:30 am- Recovery Resources 5:00 pm 5:00 pm pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Senior Transportation 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - varies Connection* 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 63

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Organization Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Holidays Cuyahoga County (continued) 9:00 am - 9:00 am - 9:00 am - 4:00 9:00 am - 9:00 am - Southwest General 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm United Cerebral 6:00 am- 6:00 am- 6:00 am-10:00 6:00 am- 6:00 am- 10:00 am-10:00 10:00 am- 10:00 am- Palsy of Greater 10:00 pm 10:00 pm pm 10:00 pm 10:00 pm pm 10:00 pm 10:00 pm Cleveland* Village of Brooklyn 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-4:30 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-4:30 pm As needed As needed Heights* 4:30 pm 4:30 pm pm 4:30 pm 4:30 pm Village of North 9:00 am- 9:00 am- 9:00 am-5:00 9:00 am- 9:00 am-

Randall 5:00 pm 5:00 pm pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Village of Walton Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Hills West Side 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-3:00 8:00 am- 8:00 am- n/a n/a n/a Community House* 3:00 pm 3:00 pm pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm Geauga County Geauga County 7:00 am- 7:00 am- 7:00 am-5:00 7:00 am- 7:00 am- Department on 5:00 pm 5:00 pm pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Aging Auburn Career

Center 9:00 am- 9:00 am- 9:00 am-4:00 9:00 am- 9:00 am- City of Wickliffe* 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm Fairport Harbor

Senior Center Lake-Geauga United 6:30 am- 6:30 am- 6:30 am-6:00 6:30 am- 6:30 am-

Head Start, Inc. 6:00 pm 6:00 pm pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm Lorain County 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 4:00 8:00 am - 8:00 am - City of Avon Lake 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm City of Avon Senior 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 3:30 8:00 am - 8:00 am -

Center* 3:30 pm 3:30 pm pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm Lorain - Ohio 4:00 am - 4:00 am - 4:00 am - 4:00 am - 4:00 am - 4:00 am - 11:00 4:00 am - 4:00 am - Department of Jobs 11:00 pm 11:00 pm 11:00 pm 11:00 pm 11:00 pm pm 11:00 pm 11:00 pm and Family Services

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 64

Human Service Agency Transportation Services Organization Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Holidays Lorain County (continued) Murray Ridge As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed As needed Production Center* North Ridgeville 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-4:00 8:00 am- 8:00 am- Office for Older 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm Adults* St. Mary of the 8:00 am- 8:00 am- 8:00 am-4:30 8:00 am- 8:00 am- As needed As needed Woods 4:30 pm 4:30 pm pm 4:30 pm 4:30 pm Medina County 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 8:00 am - 5:00 8:00 am - 8:00 am - Alternative Paths 5:00 pm 5:00 pm pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Faith in Action* X X X X X Medina County

ADAMH Board Medina Meadows Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Variable Western Reserve 7:00 am- 7:00 am- 7:00 am-4:00 7:00 am- 7:00 am- As needed As needed Masonic Community 4:00 pm 4:00 pm pm 4:00 pm 4:00 pm *Service Provider Information Updated in 2014

Chapter 3 Available Transportation Services & Providers 65

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

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Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

4. Assessment of Transportation Needs

Outreach Activities

2015 Coordinated Plan Update Building on the extensive outreach to stakeholders and target populations conducted in the development of the 2008 Coordinated Plan and 2012 outreach, NOACA approached the 2015 updating process in a streamlined manner. The purpose was to see whether the 2012 finding and goals are still valid, or if they have changed in the interim. In 2012 NOACA employed a variety of outreach activities to reassess and update transportation needs in the region. The integration of public input was essential to identify and prioritize the needs of the elderly, disabled, and low-income populations. These efforts were intended to build on outreach conducted for the 2008 Coordinated Plan as well as asses and reevaluate goals and priorities. Outreach methods leveraged existing groups and relationships in addition to bringing in new perspectives.

Public involvement activities for the 2015 update included public meetings, public comment sheets and survey, a provider survey, and a stakeholder workshop. Multiple outreach strategies were used to gain input into the needs of target populations from a variety of different views. Community outreach included:

• Public meetings within the NOACA region • Web page comment section • Public comment sheets and surveys provided at meetings • Online survey to stakeholders in the region • A stakeholder workshop • Ads in local newspapers advertising a online survey and the stakeholder workshop • Flyers sent to local libraries advertising the online survey • Social media postings about meetings and the online survey including Facebook, Twitter, and the NOACA website • Transit Council input

Even though some of the specialized transportation programs have shifted under MAP- 21, the Coordinated Plan will continue to focus on the needs of transit-dependent populations and look to improve service and coordination between transportation providers. Looking forward, outreach and community involvement will remain crucial to the planning processes of NOACA. The Coordinated Plan will continue to incorporate a broad range of outreach activities to engage the public and stakeholders to provide input and address transportation gaps and needs.

The section below summarizes the updated public comments and input from 2014. These comments served as the bases for reaffirming the goals and priorities set forth in the 2012 update.

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 67 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Public Meetings and Comments In October 2014, NOACA held a Mobility Coordination meeting in which mobility stakeholders were given the opportunity to rank the regional unmet needs and goals and objectives that were reached in the 2012 Coordinated Plan update. Approximately 32 participants ranked these goals and unmet needs.

NOACA held a stakeholder meeting in October 2014 and an open house at the Cleveland Public Library in November 2014.

Public comments were invited through comment sheets and a survey made available at the October workshop, and through inclusion of contact information on promotional materials. Comments varied from very specific issues that affected an individual to general regional issues and needs. A full list of these public comments can be found in Appendix F.

The public meeting focused on prioritizing and discussing the unmet needs that were determined in the 2012 outreach. The meeting was conducted as an open house forum and had a display of various boards beginning with an overview of NOACA, the prior Coordinated Plan, the 2012 Goals, and the current unmet needs. Participants were asked to view the boards, prioritize the goals and objectives, and rank the unmet needs, and were encouraged to fill out the public survey via computer or paper form.

The results of those three meetings and survey were compiled in the tables below. These tables show the overall rankings of Unmet Transportation Needs and Goals to address them.

The top 10 ranked specific unmet needs were: Table 18 Rank Unmet Need 1 Not Enough Funding 2 Hard to Arrange a Trip on Short Notice Not Enough Advocacy for Transportation Needs at the 3 Local, State, and/or Federal Level Health/Human Service Agency Does Not Have Money 4 for Transportation Services 5 Limited Transit Service During Evenings 6 Buses Do Not Run Frequently Enough 7 Limited Transit Service During Weekends 8 High Cost of Public Transit-Bus or Paratransit Fare Hard to Get to Bus Stops/Rapid Stations--No 9 Sidewalks, Crosswalks, or Mobility Issues No "One-Stop" Resource or Call Center for 10 Transportation Information

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 68 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

The top 4 ranked specific goals were: Table 19 Rank Goal Improve Accessibility and Service Efficiency for Low-Income, 1 Elderly, and/or Disabled Riders 2 Improve Cost Effectiveness 3 Improve Coordination of Services and Resources 4 Improve Safety

Stakeholder Input and Provider Survey As part of the 2008 and 2012 Coordinated Plan outreach, an inventory of agencies that provide transportation service was collected. In 2012 a detailed provider survey was mailed to more than 500 agencies, which resulted in 100 responses. While input received through the stakeholder survey may not be statistically significant, it does offer input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders and transit providers.

During the 2012 outreach and the 2015 update to the Coordinated Plan a survey was again sent out to providers to update the inventory of agencies. The transportation providers consisted of private providers, health/human service agencies, and medical facilities that provide transportation. In July 2014 more than 60 agencies and organizations were sent the survey, and 39 responded. The information collected is intended to identify existing transportation resources in the region. A listing of survey respondents, a copy of the survey, and additional response detail may be found in Appendix F.

2012 Coordinated Plan Outreach In 2012 NOACA employed a variety of outreach activities to reassess and update transportation needs in the region. The integration of public input was essential to identify and prioritize the needs of the elderly, disabled, and low-income populations. These efforts were intended to build on outreach conducted for the 2008 Coordinated Plan as well as asses and reevaluate goals and priorities. Outreach methods leveraged existing groups and relationships in addition to bringing in new perspectives.

Public involvement activities for the 2012 outreach included public meetings, public comment sheets and surveys, a provider survey, and a stakeholder workshop. Multiple outreach strategies were used to gain input into the needs of target populations from a variety of different views. Community outreach included: • Public meetings across the NOACA region • Web page comment section • Public comment sheets and surveys provided at meetings • Online survey to stakeholders in the region • A stakeholder workshop • Transit Council input • “New media” ways to get involved and advertise meetings including Facebook, Twitter, and the NOACA website

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The section below summarizes the updated public comments and input from 2012. These comments served as the basis in the reshape and reaffirm the goals and priorities set forth in the 2008-2011 Coordinated Plan.

Public Meetings and Comments Public meetings provide an opportunity to gather information from the community, though it can be difficult to schedule meetings when all sectors of the target population can attend (elderly and disabled, low-income working adults, etc.). NOACA held seven public meetings with varying levels of attendance. Each of the public meetings was held at a public library throughout NOACA’s five-county region in the month of September 2012. The full list of meeting locations and times can be found in Appendix F. Public meeting locations included: • Downtown Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) • City of Fairview Park (Cuyahoga County) • City of Warrensville Heights (Cuyahoga County) • City of Bainbridge (Geauga County) • City of Painesville (Lake County) • City of Lorain (Lorain County) • City of Medina (Medina County)

Public comments were also invited through comment sheets and a survey made available at the public meetings, and through inclusion of contact information on promotional materials such as flyers and posters. Comments varied from very specific issues that affected an individual to general regional issues and needs. The comments from these sources have been summarized into the findings below. A full list of these public comments can be found in Appendix F.

The public meetings focused on discussing unmet needs and then prioritizing them as well as identifying specific locations that are difficult or impossible to access via transit that may deserve special attention. Each meeting began with an overview of NOACA and the prior Coordinated Plan. This was followed up with a summary of outreach activities for 2012. Participants were then divided into groups for the planned activities: ranking unmet needs and identifying destinations that are difficult to access.

The first activity asked participants to review the unmet needs from the 2008 Coordinated Plan and re-prioritize them. Participates were also asked to add any unmet needs they felt were not represented. Each individual was given seven colored stickers to use to prioritize unmet needs. A total tally was taken for each meeting. Below is the overall tally of unmet needs, transportation issues, priority areas, and potential solutions comprised from all seven public meetings. Detailed responses can be found in Appendix F.

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Table 20 Priority of Needs Ranked by Each Meeting into a % of Total Total Collective Score Responses Frequency of Service 127 33.5% Funding Priorities 89 23.5% Cost 38 10.0% Physical Limitations & Safety 38 10.0% Availability of Service 26 6.9% Information 26 6.9% Paratransit-Specific 23 6.1% Other Transportation Issues or Unmet Needs (write in) 12 3.2% Total 379 100%

Each category included specific unmet needs, which are listed below: Frequency of Service: • Buses/trains do not run frequently enough • Transit transfers are not timed well or coordinated • Limited transit service during evenings • Limited transit service during weekends • Hard to arrange a trip on short notice • Need to make multiple stops during a trip

Availability of Service: • My destinations are not accessible by transit or I can only get partway to my destination • No private transportation providers in my area • Have to rely on friends of family to drive me

Cost: • High cost of public transit (bus or paratransit fare) • High cost of private transportation (taxi or private provider fare) • High cost of personal vehicle operation/ownership

Paratransit-Specific: • Time spent on paratransit vehicle is too long since not always a direct trip • Requires scheduling a trip too far in advance • Limited or no availability of door-to-door service

Physical Limitations & Safety: • Hard to get to bus stops/rapid stations (no sidewalks, crosswalks, or mobility issues) • Transit/van/taxi drivers sometimes are not sensitive to needs of the elderly or disabled • Transit/van/taxi drivers do not properly secure wheelchairs or mobility aids • Need help getting on and off with parcels or bags • Do not feel safe taking transit

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 71 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

• Can no longer drive myself

Information: • Do not know what transportation services are available • Do not understand how to use the transit system or need help to learn • There is no “one-stop” resource or call center for transportation information • Social workers/human service agencies do not have current transportation information

Funding Priorities: • Not enough local, state, and/or federal financial support for transportation services • Health/human service agency does not have money for transportation services • No vouchers for taxi service as an alternative • Not enough advocacy for transportation needs at the local, state, and/or federal level

Other Transportation Issues or Unmet Needs (write in): • No bus shelters • Requirement to cancel demand response pickup two hours in advance • Senior Transportation Connections unavailable on weekends and after 3 p.m. weekdays in Olmsted Falls & Olmsted township • Plenty of vehicles but no funding for trips (Geauga County Transit) • Everyone (seniors, workforce, etc.) needs the trips at the same time–barrier to coordinating

The top 10 ranked specific unmet needs were: • Not enough funding (12.9%) • Buses do not run frequently enough (9%) • Limited transit service during evenings (9%) • Limited transit service during weekends (8.4%) • High cost of public transit (bus or paratransit fare) (6.9%) • Not enough advocacy for transportation needs at the local, state, and/or federal level (6.6%) • No “one-stop” resource or call center for transportation information (4.2%) • Hard to arrange a trip on short notice (4.4%) • Hard to get to bus stops/rapid stations (no sidewalks, crosswalks, or mobility issues) (3.2%) • Health/human service agency does not have money for transportation services (2.9%)

After ranking and validating unmet needs, participants were asked to identify priorities areas on preprinted maps provided by NOACA. Participants were given a set of colored stickers, specific to them. On the stickers were icons that identified an origin and multiple destinations by mode. Each trip was to be identified with an origin and a destination. The designation icons were used to represent the type of transportation the rider would like to take but was problematic or impossible to get to. These origins and destinations pairs were then aggregated and input into ArcGIS for analysis. The maps from the public meetings can be found in Appendix F.

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 72 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Based on the public input from the mapping activity and a technical analysis of the region’s unmet transportation needs, a geographic priority area map was developed. The analysis of transit needs included existing transit services, concentration of targeted populations, employment centers, health services, and major shopping locations. These priority areas will serve as a tool to help target projects where transit-dependent populations are located and/or where services are limited or absent. Below is the activity legend: Figure 2 Map Activity Dot Icon Legend

Home or Trip Origin

Walking or by Wheelchair/Mobility Aid

Bus Transit

Rapid Transit or Train

Paratransit or Human Service Agency Vehicle

Private Vehicle or Taxicab

Bicycle

Key Findings

Service: • Frequency of buses is not adequate o Frequency of bus/rail service has decreased over the years o If commuters miss a bus or rapid, they have to wait up to an hour • There is a lack of evening service o Difficult for those with jobs outside an 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. schedule • There is limited or lack of weekend service • Access to grocery stores, shopping, banking, social activities and outings is limited • Transportation to employment centers outside the downtown core is difficult • Bus service in rural areas is nonexistent • Seniors and low-income groups clash o Seniors take priority, and take longer to get on and off the vehicles; low-income may get to work late

Paratransit Specific:

• Limited paratransit: excessive travel times, long wait times, lack of efficiencies in pickups and routes

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o Mentally handicapped wait longer than an hour for Dial-a-Ride pickup. Sometimes they miss their rides because they have to use the rest room, or they walk away for a minute. o People have to wait two hours in isolated places; some stops have no shelters (need them in bad weather). • Scheduling trips is difficult and cumbersome • Same day arrangements are difficult • More door-through-door service is needed

Cost/Funding:

There is not enough funding to meet transportation needs • Public transit and paratransit costs are too high for some users, especially those on fixed incomes • Private providers are expensive • Wheelchair van is expensive • Not enough advocates for transportation

Timing:

• Schedule changes o Clients must call to cancel their trip two hours ahead of time; if they don’t and it happens three times, they’re suspended for three months. o Transit authority can change the scheduled pickup time without notice o No one calls the client to say the time has changed. • Frequency of service is a problems for workers trying to get to work on-time– connections are slow or not timed to coordinated • Efficiencies of service for pickups • Demand for paratransit and human service vehicles is all at the same time

Coordination: • Unable to cross communities/counties • Lack of coordination between transit agencies o Lack of agencies willing to share vehicles with other human service agencies o Paratransit does not serve all areas

Safety: • Waiting environments may be difficult to access and are not always safe for the elderly and disabled • Sidewalks are not always cleared in the winter • Bus stop locations and amenities o Bus stops can be several blocks away from a person’s home – difficult for elderly or disabled to get to o Some stops lack shelters o Weather can hinder travel to and from bus stops o Lack of bus stops near senior centers

Education: • Potential riders do not know what services are available to them

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o More travel training • More information needs to be available for connecting buses. Alternative routing information needs to be available to commuters, especially while waiting at the bus stops.

Solutions/Potential Solutions: • Encourage more people to attend public meetings related to transportation services o Make advocacy a priority • More educational training services should be made available o Able-bodied seniors or disabled that can use public transit but use paratransit because they do not feel comfortable or safe • Better prioritization of funding • Schools, senior centers and agencies can share transportation o Other agencies can borrow unused vehicles during certain times of the day o Need more information about process of insuring and lending these vehicles • There needs to be different approaches to obtaining funds. Instead of focusing on the existing pie, try to expand the sources of funding • Cities need to work with human services to transport people to the same place o Some proof of regionalization should be given before grant money is given out • Encourage a transportation system that supports all modes (pedestrians, bikes, buses and cars) • Better use of technology to schedule buses, bus connections and paratransit routes

2012 Stakeholder Input and Provider Survey As part of the 2008 Coordinated Plan, an inventory of agencies that provide transportation services was collected. A detailed provider survey was mailed to more than 500 agencies, which resulted in 100 responses. While input received through the stakeholder survey may not be statistically significant, it does offer input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders and transit providers.

During the 2012 outreach a survey was again sent to providers to update the inventory of agencies. The survey was sent to public transit agencies, private transit providers, health/human service agencies, and medical facilities that provide transportation. More than 200 agencies and organizations were sent a link to the survey, to which 53 responded. The information collected is intended to serve as a tool to identify existing transportation resources in the region. Further, the survey acts as a basis for a future regional provider directory that may be searchable by both providers and users to identify service parameters, geographic converge, and client restrictions.

Though much of the survey findings were used in the transportation provider section a brief summary is given below. A listing of survey respondents, a copy of the survey, and additional response detail may be found in Appendix F.

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2012 Survey Information Summary:

Survey Responses (by county): Cuyahoga: 28 Geauga: 8 Lake: 7 Lorain: 15 Medina: 7

Ages Served: 0-18 50% 19-59 60% 60-64 09% 65+ 96%

Respondent Type: Public agencies 35% Nonprofit 49% For-profit 2%

Table 21 Respondents by County Cuyahoga City Department of Community Services Bay Village Jewish Family Service Beachwood Montefiore Beachwood City of Berea Berea Brecksville Department of Human Services Brecksville Chagrin Falls Park Community Center Chagrin Falls Ace Taxi Service, Inc. Cleveland Ernest J. Bohn Golden Age Centers Cleveland Greater Cleveland Volunteers Cleveland Hispanic Senior Center Cleveland Linking Employment Abilities and Potential (LEAP) Cleveland Senior Transportation Connection Cleveland Spanish American Committee Cleveland United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland Cleveland West Side Community House Cleveland Greater Cleveland RTA Cleveland Cleveland Heights Office on Aging Cleveland Heights Jennings Center for Older Adults Garfield Heights City of Independence, Community Services Independence National MS Society – Ohio Buckeye Chapter Independence/ Worthington Lakewood Division of Aging Lakewood PLAN of Northeast Ohio Lyndhurst

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 76 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Southwest General Hospital Middleburg Heights North Olmsted Senior Center North Olmsted City of North Royalton-Office on Aging North Royalton Smallwood activities center & office on aging Parma Parma Heights Senior Center Parma Heights

Geauga County City Geauga Dept. on Aging Chardon Claridon Township East Claridon

Lake County City Lake County Planning and Community Development Painesville LAKETRAN Painesville Ohio Presbyterian Retirement-Breckenridge Village Willoughby RSVP of Lake County Willoughby Auburn Career Center Concord Twp. Village of Waite Hill Waite Hill

Medina County City Alternative Paths Medina Faith in Action Medina Kidney Foundation of Medina County Medina Medina County ADAMH Board Medina Medina County Office for Older Adults Medina Wadsworth Center for Older Adults Wadsworth

Table 22 Type of Organization Human Services 35% Social & Community Services 21% Health & Medical 9% Transportation 16% Government, College or University 19% Table 23 Population Served by Agency Physical disability 89.7% Mental or cognitive disability 61.5% Frailty or limited stamina 84.6% Visual impairment 76.9% Difficulty reading or illiterate 35.9% Low income 94.9% Remote location 41.0% Cannot drive due to religious beliefs (e.g., 7.7% Amish) Non-English or limited English speaker 28.2%

Chapter 4 Assessment of Transportation Needs 77 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

Transportation Limitations for Clients: Figure 3

Non-English or Limited English Speaker 29%

Cannot Drive Due to Religious Beliefs (e.g. 73% Amish)

Remote Location 44%

Low Income 93%

Difficulty Reading or Illiterate 37%

Visual Impairment 76%

Frailty or Limited Stamina 83%

Mental or Cognitive Disability 61%

Physical Disability 88%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Table 24 Trip Frequency by Destination (1 being most frequent) Health/Medical (e.g., single or periodic trips to the doctor or drug store) 1.91 Recurring Health/Medical (e.g., dialysis treatments or other standing 3.11 appointments) Congregate Meals (e.g., lunches at senior center) 5.29 Shopping 5.29 Social Services 5.56 Income Maintenance (e.g., trips to Social Security office) 6.49 Employment (e.g., transportation to jobs, job placement activities) 6.71 Education/Training (e.g., continuing to jobs, job placement activities) 6.73 Recreational/Cultural Activities 6.89 Social (e.g., visiting friends/family) 7.02

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2012 Stakeholder Workshop The 2012 outreach focused on reassessing unmet transportation needs and validating the goals and priorities set forth in the 2008 Plan. To conclude the update process, NOACA held a regional stakeholder workshop in November 2012. More than 500 invitations sent to representatives from human services providers, transit agencies, advocacy groups, and other interested parties; approximately 25 people participated. A list of attendees and notes taken from the workshop can be found in Appendix F. Participants discussed the revised goals and objectives, devised from public meetings, public comments, the stakeholder survey, and transit council input, before being asked to rank the objectives. As a group, the stakeholders were also asked to prioritize and split the objectives into two priority tiers. The ranked objectives and priority tiers would be used in the competitive selection process for projects.

• Reduce transit/specialized transportation cost for riders and providers • Improve frequency of service • Improve weekend service • Improve operational efficiencies at all levels • Improve access to underserved area with transit dependent populations • Improve evening service • Advance awareness to growing unmet transportation funding needs • Improve access to information and travel training for riders and health and human service agencies • Improve last-minute transportation options • Mitigate environmental barriers • Improve cross-county transportation options

Workshop participants also developed possible strategies, projects, or activities to meet the objectives mentioned above. All comments and recommendations from the stakeholder workshop can be found in Appendix F. Chapter 5 lists the goals, objectives and strategies developed as a result of the workshop and input from Transit Council. In addition, participants contributed the following comments: • Paratransit: Some passengers work part time and need transportation. Cost becomes an issue when they have to pay out more than they earn; it is not cost effective. • Paratransit in general needs more resources and service options. • There needs to be some flexibility with paratransit. Local communities should request FTA to be more flexible. • GCRTA needs better coordination with other counties. • More funding for travel training. • Better sharing of information between all agencies and providers.

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Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

5. Strategies for the Future

Goals for the Region The goals for the region were updated and adapted in 2012 since the original Coordinated Plan in 2008, and they have been reaffirmed in the 2015 update. The goals reflect the engagement of transportation providers, clients, and the public. Input from public meetings, NOACA’s Transit Council, a stakeholder survey, and stakeholder workshops were compiled to reaffirm and prioritize objectives as well as strategies to meet those objectives. The four stated goals for specialized transportation for the region were created to encompass the needs identified through public participation and outreach. These goals provide context for the objectives and strategies ranked below.

Objectives

The goals of the Coordinated Plan are supported by objectives that were derived through findings from the public and stakeholder engagement process. The objectives are used as criteria that can be evaluated as part of a project scoring process. The stated objectives are meant to be specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. The 11 objectives were identified as recurring needs through public and stakeholder input and then prioritized into first and second tiers. The tier structure provides guidance for allocating resources to projects that address the most pressing needs. Strategies to meet the stated objectives were derived from the recommendations made during the stakeholder workshop and best practices from across the country. Other strategies may also be used to address the objectives listed.

First-Tier Objectives:

1. Reduce transit/specialized transportation costs for riders and providers

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Develop voucher programs to increase access and participation • Pursue federal/state transportation funding to purchase transit tickets that can be sold at a reduced cost for targeted populations • Promote public-private partnerships • Expand and develop shared services programs and cooperative partnerships between agencies and/or communities, including fuel procurement, insurance, and maintenance • Develop or expand fare subsidy programs for clients of health and human service agencies • Apply for grants through philanthropic, charity, and other organizations to assist with transportation funding • Possibly pursue levies to assist with funding

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Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

2. Improve frequency of service

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Expand services to increase ridership and regularity of routes to specialized populations • Further integrate technology into operations and service (i.e. vehicle location, routing, or scheduling) • Expand service on existing routes • Coordinate or enhance trip planners, resource guides, or rideshare programs • Reduce trip lengths for paratransit riders • Reduce connection times between transit routes

3. Improve weekend service

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Create or expand weekend routes or service to specialized populations • Provide more last-minute, on-demand service for specialized populations • Pursue grants or additional resources to pay for operators and administration staff to expand nonpeak hour services • Pursue vehicle sharing to use vehicles not regularly in service for weekend and evening trips

4. Improve operational efficiencies at all levels

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Create a coordination service network to match providers with users • Develop or expand public-private partnerships to coordinate efforts • Pursue coordination between agencies to eliminate or reduce duplication for more efficient use of resources • Develop vehicle-sharing agreements • Increase ease of referral and access services • Increase coordination among providers

5. Improve access to underserved areas with transit-dependent populations

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Improve partnerships with contracted providers • Offer service beyond the complementary ¾ mile ADA service area • Improve access to medical facilities, employment centers, and activity centers • Establish or coordinate rural to urban transportation services • Increase transportation options

6. Improve evening service

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Improve coordination and visibility of agencies willing to provide services • Develop inventory of underused services • Create specific days/dates for added evening services

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Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

7. Advance awareness to growing unmet transportation funding needs

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Encourage or support community outreach to promote transit funding among stakeholders • Reduce barriers to coordinated services (i.e., geographic, political, and funding partnerships with other agencies and the private sector to promote transit policies and programs) • Support lobbying and advocacy to improve state and federal funding for specialized transportation • Research projected demographic shifts in the region that will impact future transportation needs

Second-Tier Objectives:

8. Improve access to information and travel training for riders and health and human service agencies

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Market travel training programs through information sharing and agency identification • Expand travel training programs throughout the region • Pursue specialized training for providers servicing older adults and those with disabilities • Expand education for drivers on how to handle wheel chairs and proper tie down methods • Improve rider understanding of transportation services and options

9. Improve last minute transportation options

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Simplify or improve reservation methods, including online reservations • Improve accessibility of fixed routes (using audio bus stop information for visually impaired people) • Improve communication of transportation options • Improve communication between providers • Create a one-call system to provide information and service options for entire region

10. Mitigate environmental barriers

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: • Create or improve bus waiting environment improvements to increase safety and/or comfort • Improve access to bus stops (i.e., sidewalks and crosswalks) • Improve feedback and identification of riders’ physical needs • Standardize safety requirements for tie-down positions on vehicles

11. Improve inter-county transportation options

Possible strategies, projects, or activities: Chapter 5 Strategies for the Future 83

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio

• Use private sector providers to meet gaps in public transit service • Public-private coordination of services, including use of taxicab services • Simplify rider interface for accessing multiple systems and connections • Create a development plan with all transit agencies to identify, coordinate, and provide services across all counties • Designate mobility managers in each county to coordinate services • Establish satellites to serve the region through fixed routes or demand services • Establish more centralized and coordinated regional transfer points between transportation modes and providers • Reduce institutional barriers that complicate inter-county trips

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