PLANNING & PROGRAMMING
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Planning & Programming Committee recommends approval of the
1994 Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan, continued participation in the Plan and transmitting the Plan to the FTA.
Planning & Programming Committee - January 13, 1994 December 30, 1993 M MEMO TO: PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE THROUGH : FRANKLIN E. WHITE
Los Angeles County FROM: JUDITH A. WILSON~0 Metropolitan Transportation SUBJECT : 1994 LOS ANGELES COUNTY COORDINATED PARATRANSIT Authority PLAN RECOMMENDATION 8~8 West Seventh Street Suite 300 I) Approve the attached Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan. 7Los Angeles, CA9ooi 2) Approve the continued participation of the MTA in the m3.623.H94 Coordinated Paratransit Plan.
3) Direct staff to transmit this plan to the FTA on behalf of the MTA and the other 36 Los Angeles County fixed route transit operators.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
No alternatives were considered since the Board reviewed this plan, pending public comment at the December meeting. Additionally, the paratransit plan is required by federal law.
IMPACT ON BUDGET AND OBJECTIVES
The FY 1994 budget includes sufficient funds for 1994 plan implementation. The Annual Update is a progress report on the implementation of the coordinated paratransit plan which was approved by both the former LACTC and SCRTD boards. The plan as submitted is consistent with the MTA’s objectives.
Impact on $126 Million ODeratinq Deficit: Approval of this item will not increase the $126 million deficit. Failure to approve could cause the loss or suspension of federal funding therefore increasing the operating deficit.
BACKGROUND
In December, the Board directed staff to conduct a public hearing on the proposed FY 1994 Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan. The public hearing was held on December 21, 1993.
There were no substantive comments received at the public hearing. The comments received by mail were overwhelmingly Plahning and Programming Committee 1994 Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan December 21, 1993 Page 2 positive and in support of the plan. Therefore, there have been no significant changes made to the draft plan the Board received in December. A summary of the public comments received is in the "Public Participation" section of the plan.
In 1991, the LACTC through its subsidiary, the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA), assumed responsibility for planning and implementing the required complementary paratransit service on behalf of the 35 Los Angeles County public fixed route operators (2 new operators have joined the plan since that time). This effort lead to a coordinated service of the local cities and transit operators with the LACTC providing the overlaying service that crosses jurisdictional boundaries to meet the federal mandate. This service is called "METRO ACCESS." The program design, timetable for implementation and proposed phase-in schedule are detailed in the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan which was submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on July 26, 1992.
The ADA regulations also require that an annual update to the plan be submitted to DOT on January 26th of each year detailing the progress made on plan implementation, describing whether the plan "milestones" were met, describing any delay in meeting the milestones, and describing any significant changes in the service implementation plan. For your information, as reported last month, the proposed plan will continue the phased implementation of all METRO ACCESS service on a slightly modified schedule which is in compliance with all federal requirements. A copy of the proposed paratransit plan update is attached.
The 1993 Annual Update was approved by the FTA on July 12, 1993.
PREPARED BY: Donna L. Barrett Program Manager, CTSA LOS ANGEL~.S COUNTY COORDINATED PARATRANS IT PLAN
ANNUAL UPDATE
JANUARY 26, 1994
LOS ANGELES COUNTY CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AGENCY TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION Pg 1
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBMITTING ENTITY AND METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATION . Pg 2 A. Agency Submitting Plan B. Agencies/Cities Participating in Joint Plan C. Metropolitan Planning Organization Certification
II. TIMETABLES AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MILESTONES . . Pg II Table l:Timetable and Progress Report Fo~m 2 :Not applicable Table 2:Revised Timetable (1994-1997) Table 3:Eligibility, Six Service Criteria, and Full Compliance Date
III. DEMAND ESTIMATES Table 4 . . Pg 16
IV. BUDGET, COST AND VEHICLE ESTIMATES . . . Pg 18 Table 5:ADA Paratransit Costs Table 6:Total System Costs Table 7:Accessible Fixed Route Buses Table 8:Paratransit vehicles Owned by Your System
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION . Pg 23
VI. UNRESOLVED ISSUES ...... Pg 78
VIIo OTHER ISSUES . Pg 106
VIII.FIXED ROUTE OPERATOR SERVICE AREA MAPS . . Pg 112 INTRODUCTION
This document is the 1994 Annual Update to the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan which describes how the Los Angeles County Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) proposes to increase the mobility for individuals with disabilities as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The CTSA is required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) submit an annual update each year by January 26th on behalf of the thirty-seven Los Angeles County public fixed route operators.
The 1994 Annual Update follows the format required by FTA and does not provide detailed information about the design or the implementation of the ADA paratransit service which is called METRO ACCESS. We encourage all interested parties to review this Update in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan to fully understand the development and implementation of the program.
The CTSA conducts public hearings and accepts public comments on the draft annual update in December of each year. However, individuals are encouraged to provide the CTSA with input and comments on the METRO ACCESS program at any time during the year so that we may incorporate ideas and make changes to improve the program.
To request a copy of the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan, please call (213) 244-6284, or TDD (213) 244-6908 for hearing impaired. I. IDENTIFICATION OF SUBMITTING ENTITY AND METROPOILITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATION
A. Agency Submitting Plan
Submitted by: Los Angeles County Consolidated Transportation Services Agency 818 W. Seventh Street Los Angeles, CA 90017
Contact Person: Richard DeRock, Administrator
Telephone: (213) 244-6284 (Voice) (213) 244-6908 (TDD) (213) 244-6015 (FAX)
The CTSA is the agency designated to coordinate all public, private and non-profit social service and local transportation services for Los Angeles County.
B. Metropolitan Planning Organization Certification
Agency: Southern California Association of Governments 818 W. Seventh Street, 12th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017
Contact Person: Barry Samsten, Senior Planner Transit Rail Group
Telephone: (213) 236-1800
C. Agencies/cities Participating in Joint Plan
As the coordinating agency for social service and local transportation in Los Angeles County, the CTSA is taking the lead in the development and submittal of a coordinated complementary paratransit plan on behalf of the 37 Los Angeles County fixed route operators. These thirty-seven fixed route agencies have adopted the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan and remain participants in the plan until such time as the city council or governing board of these agencies rescinds their participation.
A list of the agencies/cities participating in the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan follows as well as a list of the fixed route transit systems participating in the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan. Attachment IV contains resolutions of participation from new fixed route providers.
Three cities have plans to implement fixed route systems during 1994; however, since these plans have not been finalized, resolutions of participation have not been passed. These cities include Alhambra, Burbank, and Downey. LIST OF AGENCIES/CITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COORDINATED PARATRANSIT PLAN
i) Antelope Valley Transit Authority a) County of Los Angeles b) city of Palmdale c) City of Lancaster 2) City of Azusa 3) City of Bell Gardens 4) City of Bellflower 5) City of Beverly Hills 6) City of Carson 7) City of Cerritos 8) City of Commerce 9) City of Cudahy I0) City of Culver city II) City of Duarte 12) City of E1 Monte 13) Foothill Transit Joint Powers Authority a) City of Arcadia b) City of Azusa c) City of Baldwin Park d) City of Bradbury e) City of Claremont f) City of Covina g) City of Diamond Bar h) City of Duarte i) City of E1 Monte j) City of Glendora k) City of Industry i) City of Irwindale m) City of La Verne n) County of Los Angeles o) City of Monrovia p) City of Pomona q) City of San Dimas r) City of South E1 Monte s) City of Temple City t) City of Walnut u) City of West Covina 14) City of Gardena 15) City of Glendale 16) City of Inglewood 17) City of Lawndale 18) Long Beach Public Transportation Company 19) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 20) City of Los Angeles 21) County of Los Angeles 22) City of Lynwood 23) City of Montebello 24) City of Monterey Park 25) Municipal Area Express a) City of E1 Segundo b) City of Hermosa Beach c) City of Los Angeles d) County of Los Angeles e) City of Lawndale f) City of Rancho Palos Verdes g) City of Rolling Hills Estates h) City of Torrance 26) City of Norwalk 27) P.V. Transit a) City of Palos Verdes Estates b) City of Rancho Palos Verdes c) City of Rolling Hills Estates 28) City of Pasadena 29) City of Rosemead 30) city of Santa Clarita 31) City of Santa Fe Springs 32) City of Santa Monica 33) City of Torrance 34) City of West Covina 35) City of West Hollywood 36) City of Westlake Village 37) City of Whittier LOS .ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS PARTICIPATING IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COORDINATED PARATRANSIT PLAN
BUS
i) Antelope Valley Transit 2) Azusa Shuttle 3) Bell Gardens Town Trolley 4) Bellflower - The Bus 5) Beverly Hills Parking Shuttle 6) Carson Circuit 7) Cerritos on Wheels 8) Commerce Municipal Bus Lines 9) County of Los Angeles: a) Altadena Shuttle b) Hahn’s Shuttle i0) Cudahy Area Rapid Transit II) Culver City Bus 12) Duarte Transit 13) E1 Monte Trolley Company 14) Foothill Transit 15) Gardena Municipal Bus Lines 16) Glendale Beeline 17) Inglewood I - Line 18) LADOT: a) DASH b) Community Connection c) Commuter Express 19) Lawndale Trolley 20) Long Beach Transit 21) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 22) Lynwood Trolley Company 23) Montebello Bus Lines 24) Monterey Park Spirit 25) Municipal Area Express (commuter) 26) Norwalk Hustle Bus 27) P.V. Transit 28) City of Pasadena 29) Rosemead Shopping Express 30) Santa Clarita Transit 31) Santa Fe Springs Free Tram 32) Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines 33) Torrance Transit 34) West Covina Corridor Shuttle 35) West Hollywood City Line 36) Westlake Village Community Bus 37) Whittier Transit
RAIL i) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro Rail) AntelopeValley Transit Authority City of Azusa g00 S. FreemontAvenue, 11th Floor 740 N. Dalton Avenue Alhambra, CA91803-1331 Azusa,CA 9170,’.)
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213)2,!.,!.-6524
City of Bell Gardens City of Bellflower 6662Loveland Street 16600Civic CenterDrive Bell Gardens,CA 90201 Bellflower, CA90706
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213)2,!.~-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of BeverlyHills City of CulverCib~, 455 N. RexfordDrive 4095 Overland Avenue Room130 P.O. Box 507 Beverly Hills, CA90210 Culver City, CA90232-0507
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213)2~. ~.-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of Carson City of Cerritos Public WorksDept. P.O. Box 3130 701 E. CarsonStreet Cerritos, CA90703 Carson, CA 90745 Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213)2’!. ~.-6524
City of Commerce City of Cudahy 2535 CommerceWay 5220 Santa AnaStreet Commerce, CA 90040 Cudahy,CA 902()1
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213)2~.~.-6524 (213) 244-6524 City of Duarte El MonteTrolley Company 1600 HuntingtonDrive c/o 3525Cleminson Street Duarte, CA91010 El Monte, CA91731
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244~6524
Foothill Transit Zone GardenaMunicipal Bus Lines 100 N. Barranca Avenue Suite 480 15350 S. Van Ness Avenue West Covina, CA 91791-1600 Gardena,CA 90,’.)49-4100
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of Glendale City of Inglewood 633 E. Broadway 111 N. LocustStreet Glendale, CA91206 Inglewood, CA90301
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of Lawndale LongBeach Transit 14717Burin Avenue P.O. Box 731 Lawndale, CA 90260 Long Beach, CA 90801-0731
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation L.A. City Dept. of Public Works City Hall, Room1600 900 S. FremontAvenue, 1 lth Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 Alhambra, CA91803-1331
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524 Los AngelesCounty Metropolitan City of Lynwood TransportationAuthority 11330Bullis Road 818 West7th Street Lynwood, CA 90262 Los Angeles, CA90017 Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
City of Montebello City of MontereyPark 311 S. Greenwood 320 W. NewmarkAvenue Montebello, CA90640 Monterey Park, CA 91754
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
Municipal Area Express NorwalkTransit 20500 MadronaAvenue 12700Norwalk Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503-2684 Norwalk, CA90650
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
P.V. Transit City of Rosemead 30940Hawthorne Blvd. 8848E. Valley Blvd. RanchoPalos Verdes, CA90274 Rosemead, CA 91770
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
SantaClarita Transit Santa Fe Springs Free Tram 25663Avenue Stanford 11710E~ Telegraph Road Santa Clarita, CA91355 Santa Fe Springs, CA90670
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524 City of Santa Monica City of Torrance 1660Seventh Street 220500 MadronaAvenue Santa Monica, CA 90401 Torrance, CA 90503
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244-6524
WestLake Transit City of WestCovina 31824Village Center Road P.O. Box 1440 WestLake Village, CA91361 West Covina, CA 91793
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 24,!-6524
City of WestHollywood City of Whittier 8611 Santa MonicaBlvd. 13230Penn Street West Hollywood, CA 90069 Whittier, CA90602
Richard DeRock Richard DeRock (213) 244-6524 (213) 244~6524 ~ LOSMetroANGELES Access Phase-In COUNTY Areas
"~located Off n"
ERNANDOVALLEY/NORTH COUNTY
...
E II. PROGRESS REPORT ON MILESTONES
The ADA paratransit service in Los Angeles County, called "METRO ACCESS" is to be phased-in throughout the county over the five year period from January 1992 until January 1997. Service began in Area I, the eastern San Gabriel Valley, in January 1992, expanded into the westside of Area 1 in July 1992 and into the eastside of Area 2, the City of Los Angeles, in July 1993. All of these phase- ins were on schedule.
The service scheduled to begin during January 1994 in the westside of Los Angeles, adjacent cities and northern portion of Area 3, Southeast, will be delayed six months until July 1994 due to difficulties encountered in procuring accessible vehicles and soliciting for transportation service providers. This represents a six month delay for the westside of Area 2 and a three month delay for Area 3. The remainder of the phase-in will be on schedule. Certifications will begin at the same time that service begins rather than earlier due to the aforementioned procurement difficulties. See Tables 1 and 2 for milestones.
Each of the areas where METRO ACCESS has begun service are fully compliant with the ADA. As METRO ACCESS service is phased into the remaining areas over the next three years, these, too, will be fully compliant. See Table 3 for "Eligibility, Six Service Criteria, and Full Compliance."
It is important to recognize that ADA paratransit in Los Angeles County is a coordinated effort of the cities and the CTSA. The local cities continue to provide some 3.5 million annual paratransit trips throughout Los Angeles County. METRO ACCESS will fill in the gaps and allow individuals to travel across Los Angeles County and the surrounding counties within the service areas of the Los Angeles County fixed route operators during the days and hours of operation of those services.
ii Table 1 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS Countyof LosAngeles STATE: California
ADA PARATRANSIT PLAN TIMETABLE - PROGRESS REPORT*
1993 1993 UPDATE MILE- 1994 TARGET STONE NEw DATE MET? MILESTONEPROGRESS REPORT - Jan. 1994 DATE? (Y/N) (period January 26, 1993 - January 25, 1994)
7/92 Y Acquire/provide 5 accessible mini-vans for use by the service providers 7/92
7/92 Y Evaluate/certify 1,500 individuals in the San Gabriel Valley 7/92
7/92 Y Begin expansion of service area to include 14 additional cities in West 7/92 San Gabriel Valley and service into downtownLos Angeles
7/93 Y Begin operations in central Los Angeles 7/93
1/94 N Expandservice to 14 cities in the northern part of the Southern Area 7/94 and the five westside cities plus Los Angeles City
Note: Using Form2, provide detailed written explanation on milestone slippage greater than one full year (12 months).
*(Indicate Progress On Milestones That Were To Be Achieved Prior to 1/26/94 And Additional Accomplishments) Table 2 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE:California REVISED ADA PARATRANSIT PLAN TIMETABLE
1994- 1996 TARGET DATE MILESTONES- JANUARY1994 UPDATE
July, 1994 Expandservice area to the remaining cities in the Southeast area, including LongBeach On Target
January, 1995 Begin service in South Bay On Target
July, 1995 Begin service in San FemandoValley On Target
January, 1996 Begin service in North County On Target
January, 1997 Complete countywide ADAcompliance On Target Table3 Page 1 Jan. 1994 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE: California
ELIGIBILITY, SIX SERVICE CRITERIA, AND FULL COMPLIANCE DATE
IN FULL IF NO, EXPECTED COMPLIANCE DATE OF FULL NOW(Ym) COMPLIANCE
COMPLIANCE ITEM
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS
Requestfor certification being acceptedand all aspects of policy (appeals, Y documentation,etc.) established; no later than 1/26/94
Compliancewith companionand personal care attendant requirements Y
Compliancewith visitor requirements 1-97 SIX SERVICECRITERIA
SERVICE AREA Service to all origins and destinations within the defined area Y
Coordinationwith contiguous/overlappingservice areas, if applicable Y Table 3 Page 2 Jan. 1994 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE:California ELIGIBILITY, SIX SERVICE CRITERIA, AND FULL COMPLIANCEDATE
*IN FULL IF NO, EXPECTED COMPLIANCE DATE OF FULL NOW(Y/N) COMPLIANCE
COIVlPLIANCEITEM
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS
12. Compliancewith personal care attendant fare requirement Y
DAYS AND HOURS OF SERVICE 13. Paratransit provided during all days and hours whenfixed route service is in operation Y TRIP PUILPOSES 14. Noreslrietion on types of trippurposes Y
15. Nopdoritization by trip purpose in scheduling Y CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS 16. Norestriction on the numberof trips an individual will be provided Y 17. Nowaiting list for access to service Y
18. Nosubstantial numbersof significantly unfmaelypickups for initial or return trips Y
19. Nosubstantial numbersof trip denials or missed trips Y
20. Nosubstantial numberof trips with excessive trip lengths Y 21. Whenoapaeity is unavailable, subscription trips are less than 50 percent Y DATE TARGETEDIN PLAN FOR FULL COMPLIANCEWITH ALL ADA PARATRANSIT REQUIREMENTS In 1993 Update Submission 1-97 In 1994 Update Submission 1-97
* Yes answersfor full complianceapply to areas whereservice is in operation. III. DEMAND ESTIMATES
16 Table 4 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE: California
ADA PARATRANSIT DEMAND ESTIMATE (in thousands)
Actual Actual Est.* Est. Proj. DEMAND 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
ADA ELIGIBILITY 1. Numberof Persons Certified for ADAParatransit 0 2.995 10.0 15.0 21.6 7.350 1.0
NUMBEROF TRIPS/YEAR (thousands of one-waypassenger trips/hours)
2. ADAParatransit Trips Provided/Year 1,191.5 1,306.6 1,521.5 1,709.0 2,009.0 2,159.0 a) METROACCESS Trips/Year 22.5 134.6 352.5 540.0 840.0 990.0
3. Total Paratransit Trips Provided/Year 3,500.0 3,522.5 3,637.6 3,825.5 4,040.0 4,340.0 4,490.03
4. Total Paratransit RevenueHours/Year (Total ADAand non-ADA)[See.15 definition] 1.085
For 1993, estimate the numberof trips on line 2a that were provided by contract taxi service: 92.2
For 1993, estimate the numberof trips on line 2a that our system purchased (contracted out) rather than provide in-house: 134.6 (include contracted taxi service from line 4 and other service ownedor operated by the contractors)
Using 1990 Census of planning figures, estimate the total numberof all persons (disabled and non-disabled combined)in the ADAparatransit service area 9.8 million
* Since the planmust be finalized I~ior to the end of the calendaryear, ~toals are notavailable. IV. BUDGET, COST AND VEHICLE ESTIMATES
For several reasons, the following tables may not be complete. First, the data required has changed from the prior year and we did not receive notification of this change until after our data surveys were mailed to the operators.
Second, much of the data required is based on the assumption that all operators receive federal funding assistance and, therefore, submit Section 15 reports to the FTA each year. This is untrue in Los Angeles County. Of the thirty-seven operators participating in the plan, fifteen receive federal funding and twenty-two do not. These twenty-two operators are not subject to the federal Uniform System of Accounts, Records and Reporting requirement of the FTA (Section 15) and do not conduct sampling survey or compile statistical information on their systems in the same manner as the federal funding recipients. Therefore, this information is unavailable. The CTSA will work with the operators to increase efforts to collect this information.
18 January 1994 ADA PARATRANSIT Table 5 System name: METROACCESS CAPITAL AND OPERATING BUDGET SUMARY County of Los Angeles State: CA (CALENDAR YEAR BASIS) (projections in thousands of 1993 dollars) 6 YEAR Actual Est. Est. Proj. Proj. Proj. TOTAL 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 92 - 97
NON-METRO ACCESS ADA PARATRANSIT EXPENSES
CAPITAL 800.0 800.0 800.0 800.0 800.0 800.0 4,800.0 OPERATING 13,000.0 13,000.0 13,000.0 13,000.0 13,000.0 13,000.0 78,000.0 SUB-TOTAL NON METRO ACCESS PARATRANSIT EXPENSES 13,800.0 13,800.0 13,800.0 13,800.0 13,800.0 13,800.0 82,800.0
...... ::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
~:~:~:~:~~:~:~~:~~:~ :~ :~ ~~:~::::::::::: ::::::::::::: ::::::: :::::::: ::::::::::::: :::::: :~::~:~:~ ~::...... :...... TOTAL PARATRASN1T EXPENSES (COMBINED ADA AND NON ADA)
4) CAPITAL 2,681.9 2,152.9 4,152.9 4,152.9 4,152.9 3,152.9 20,446.4 5) OPERATING 41,678.4 43,457.9 49,847.9 53,447.9 57,267.9 59,267.9 304,967.9 6) TOTAL PARATRANSIT EXPENSE 44,360.3 45,610.8 54,000.8 57,600.8 61,420.8 62,420.8 325,414.3 in 1991, the paratransit costs for our combinedtransit systems were $39,500. Table 6 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE:California
TOTAL TRANSIT SYSTEM COST ESTIMATES CAPITAL & OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY (projections in thousands of 1993 dollars)
6 Year Actual Est. Est. Proj. Proj. Proj. Total TOTAL TRANSIT SYSTEM COSTS* 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 92 - 97 1. Capital Expenses 1,2o9,50o.o 1,752,30o.o 1,583,7oo.0 2,060,400.0 2,012,50o.0 1,703,9~0.0 10,322,300,0
2. Operating Expenses 836,787.1 917,800.0 997,100.0 1,066,000.0 1,128,000.0 1,257,700.0 6,203,387.1 3. TOTAL SYSTEM COSTS 2,0~,287.1 2,670,100.0 2,580,800.0 3,126,400.0. 3,140,500.0 2,961,600.0 (line 1 + 2) 16,525,687.1
4. ADA PARATRANSIT EXPENSES 16,949.$ 18,240.0 26,590.0 30,190.0 34,010.0 35,010.0 (line 3, Table 5) 160,989.5 5. ADA PARATRANSIT AS .010% PERCENT OF TOTAL COSTS .oo8~ .oo7~ .o1.,~ .0o9% .o1% ,oi% (line 4 divided by line 3)
IN 1991, TOTALSYSTEM COSTS FOR OUR TRANSIT SYSTEMWERE $ not available
Total transit system costs encompassall system costs, not just ADA-relatedcosts. These transit system costs must include: (1) all fixed-mute costs (bus, rail, etc.), plus (2) all pamtransit expenses(ADA and non-ADA). Table 7 Jan. 1994 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS County of Los Angeles STATE:California
ADA ACCESSIBILITY: FIXED-ROUTE BUSES
Actual* Actual** Actual Est.* Est.* Proj.* Proj.* Proj.* BUSES IN ACTIVE FLEET 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
1. Total Numberof Buses 3,288 3,456 2. Buses Without Lifts/Ramps 442 340 3. Buses With Pre-ADA Lifts/Ramps 2,846 3,061 4. Buses With ADALifts/Ramps (meets Part 38 lift specifications) 0 55 5. Percent With Lifts/Ramps (sum of lines 3 and 4, divided by line I) 87% 90%
* Not Available ** Information is available only for operators reporting Section 15 (15 operators)
For 1993, provide an approximate estimate of the numberof boardings where lifts/ramps were deployed on the fixed-route system: Not Available Table 8 Jan. 1994 SYSTEM NAME: METRO ACCESS Countyof Los Angeles STATE:California
PARATRANSIT VEHICLES (OWNED/LEASED BY YOUR SYSTEM
Actual Actual E~. Est. Proj. Proj. TOTAL NUMBERIN ACTIVE FLEET 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 (owned/leased by your system)
1. Paratransit - Vans and Minivans 395 422 523 558 581 587 2. Paratransit - Buses 40 36 60 67 74 76 3. Paratransit - Sedans/Wagons(other than taxis) 45 58 58 58 58 58 LIFT EQUIPPED PARATRANSIT VEHICLES 5. Paratransit - Buses, Vans and Minivans (with lifts/ramps from lines 1 and 343 348 641 683 713 721
* Please include all your dedicated paratransit vehicles (ADAor non,ADAservice combined)that your system owns/leases, even if a contractor operates the service. Do not include accessible vehicles used on the fixed route.
For 1993, provide an approximate estimate of the numberof buses, vans, and minivans, etc., excluding taxis ownedby your contractor that routinely provide paratransit (ADAand non-ADA)for your system: N/A (vehicles)
Prior to ADAparatransit (in 1991 and earlier), our transit system: Other* * [(N) Did not offer paratransit; (I) Offered paratransit which was provided In-house; (P) Offered paratransit which was primarily Purchased demandresponsive service; or (O) Other, please explain
Most of the cities (80) and one transit operator offered paratransit service. It was a combinationof in-house and purchased. Wedo not know the percentage provided by each. V.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Los Angeles County Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA), is firmly committed to increasing the mobility individuals with disabilities by fully implementing the transportation requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Toward that end, the CTSA has endeavored to inform and involve individuals with disabilities in each step of the development and implementation of the Plan and the METRO ACCESS service.
The FTA guidance for the 1994 Annual Update suggests that lists of all outreach and consultation activities, including dates, locations and numbers of participants be included with the update. However, since this guidance was not received until October, 1993, it is not possible to include complete information since the CTSA did not keep track of outreach activities at this level of detail. o Public hearing held December 21, 1993 at 3:30 P.M., 818 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, Union Station Room. o Published legal hearing notices on November 19, 1993 in three major newspapers, The Los Anqeles Times, The Daily News, and The Long Beach Press Telegram.
Published display advertisements during early December 1993 in three local newspapers targeted to reach a diverse ethnic audience: Los Angeles Sentinel, La Opinion, and Korean Times and San Gabriel Valley News. Advertisements were also purchased to run in community newspapers published by the following groups: Rapid Publishing and !Eastern Group Publications.
Aired 9 radio spots during the week of December 12, 1993 on the following radio stations: KNX, KFWD, KFPW.
Mailed approximately 2,000 copies of the Annual Update, along with notices of the hearing, to the following: 1500 interested individuals and agencies including "the former Los Angeles County Transportation Commission’s Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee, the foiler Southern California Rapid Transit District’s citizens Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation, city transit administrators, social service and health care agencies and providers of specialized transportation.
As with all CTSA materials, the Annual Update is available, upon request, in braille, large print and audio tape. Accessible formats are available within the same time period as the regular print version.
23 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
The comments received about the METRO ACCESS services from individuals who understood the purpose of the mandated complementary paratransit service were very positive and complimentary. However, individuals who do not understand that the service is for severely disabled individuals unable to access the fixed route expressed concern because the service is not available to all individuals with disabilities. Following is a synopsis of the comments and staff responses.
Comment The METRO ACCESS evaluation staff is very helpful and friendly and residents of the facility have all had good experiences with the service.
Comment The commentor has a visual and hearing disability and uses public transportation very frequently. He felt it unfair that only mobility impaired individuals can use METRO ACCESS service.
Response The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights act meant to give individuals with disabilities the access to public services and facilities equivalent to that available to individuals without disabilities. The purpose of the transportation provisions of the Act is to allow as many individuals with disabilities as possible access to fixed route transit services iby making the services accessible. The complementary paratransit service is designed for individuals who cannot use fixed route facilities. Therefore, the intention of the ADA is for the commentor to use the fixed route facilities since he is capable of doing so.
Comment The airport and private over the road bus companies should inform passengers with disabilities about transit.
Response The CTSA has no regulatory authority over the airports or private bus operators. When appropriate, "these entities will be advised of the service.
Comment The certification application form was too final. It should be easy for someone to appeal certification decisions directly to the MTA Board both for the denial of an initial application or the rescinding of a standing certification.
When certification is denied, pending appeal, the time period should extend long enough for the person to go to the courthouse. He felt, at the very least, the person should be able to use METRO ACCESS to go to the court, law libraries, and several photocopy stores.
24 Response The certification application form has been and will be changed as staff feels appropriate. The appeals process conforms to the mandates of the ADA. METRO ACCESS can be used to go anywhere within the areas currently being served without regard to trip purpose. However, an individual who has been denied certification and appeals is not entitled to use the se]~ice.
Comment One individual, who is not certified for METRO ACCESS service, thought it should be easier to board and disembark from METRO ACCESS and other transit service. He also expressed concern about verbal and physical abuse by passengers and drivers.
Response The METRO ACCESS service is fully accessible and in compliance with the ADA guidelines. The majority of the equipment of other public transit operators in the county are also accessible.
The plan update contains a policy concerning suspension of service for verbal and physical abuse.
CONSULTATION
Continued meetings of the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) which is comprised of 27 individuals with disabilities and individuals employed by organizations providing services to individuals with disabilities. The committee meets monthly to review and provide input into various policies and procedures affecting the complementary paratransit service and other accessibility issues. The committee participated in the development of the paratransit plan and continues to provide input into plan updates.
After the merger of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD), began joint meetings of the STAC and the former SCRTD Citizens Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation to ensure continued input from individuals with disabilities and agencies which represent them while the new LACMTAappointed a new elderly and disabled advisory committee. These committees have a combined membership of 54 and meet monthly to discuss METRO ACCESS issues and other accessibility issues relating to fixed route and paratransit service. The new METRO ACCESS policies which are described in Section VII, Other Issues, of this document were reviewed and endorsed by these committees. Committee meetings are open to the general public and there is an opportunity for public comment. Meeting notices are sent to an additional 150 interested groups and individuals.
Copies of the STAC and joint meeting agendas are included in this report.
25 The CTSA is in the process of merging the aforementioned committees to form one new committee to represent the elderly and disabled. As was the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee, the new committee is being carefully selected to ensure a balance between types of disabilities, gender, ethnicity and geographic mix.
OUTREACH
The advisory committees are not the sole link to the disabled community. The CTSA staff and METRO ACCESS contractors constantly contact organizations serving or representing the disabled. For example, in March 1993, staff presented information and received comments on the METRO ACCESS service at 134 separate events and activities.
Staff attends conferences sponsored and attended by disabled individuals and their advocates. Staff services on panels and workshops for the disabled, sponsors workshops and holds public hearings throughout the county.
A list of outreach contacts and dates are in Attachment II.
In addition to the individual outreach activities listed in Attachment II, staff participated in the following activities which were longer term:
Los Angeles County Fair West Coat Abilities Expo Los Angeles County Focal Points (senior/disabled resource centers Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging Service Plan Hearing Pasadena Senior/Disabled Advisory Council East San Gabriel Valley/Pomona Valley Regional Center Advisory Council Developmental Disabilities Area Board i0 Self Actualization Workshop
Instituted a newsletter, METRO ACCESS Dispatch, which is distributed quarterly to service users and agencies serving individuals with disabilities.
Continued publication and distribution of the METRO ACCESS brochure (in English and Spanish), fact sheets and a User’s Guide so that certified individuals would understand the METRO ACCESS program and how it works.
Published a Paratransit Handbook which lists hundreds of local public, private and non-profit paratransit providers.
Continued funding of Infoline, a social service and paratransit referral network.
26 Conducted a survey to determine the level of user satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the service,, Overall the service received a "B+."
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