PREPARED BY: JEAN CLARK DATE OF MEETING: 12/18/2023
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN 18-MONTH ONE-SEAT RIDE MEDICAL TRIP PILOT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE PARATRANSIT DIVISION OF SAN PABLO’S COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT BEGINNING IN JANUARY, 2024.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Work Plan Compliance Statement
Develop Transit-Oriented Policies and Strategies is an adopted priority item under the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective May 1, 2023.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
In 2020, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) created a countywide Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan (ATSP). The ATSP identified a strategy called Improve Connectivity Between Paratransit Programs and Eliminate Transfer Trips (Strategy) to allow older adults and people with disabilities to travel throughout the county without having to transfer between paratransit vehicles. Reliable Medical Access Throughout the County to the Regional Medical Center and VA Medical Center in Martinez was also identified as a vital need.
CCTA and West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) met with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Firm to discuss potential programs that would address the Strategy, meet the growing need for medical trips outside the immediate paratransit service area, eliminate transfer trips, and identify potential partners.
A West County one-seat ride pilot program (Pilot) to County Medical Offices and Hospital in Martinez was developed and the City of San Pablo was identified as a partner to execute the pilot program.
The Pilot is targeted at seniors ages 50+ and disabled adults from the 94806 zip code. The shuttle will run three days a week with three round trips per day for a fare of $5 one-way and $1 Means Based Fare (MBF) one-way with attendants riding for free. The Pilot is scheduled to begin in January 2024 and run through June 30, 2025, with a budget of $170,824 using Measure X and Measure J 28b funds.
Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Firm prepared the calculations for the Pilot with CCTA and City input. The City will receive $10,000 in funding for marketing the Pilot and will then bill CCTA for each one way shuttle trip provided. The per-trip reimbursement costs include driver time, driver breaks and dwell times, administrative staff for booking the trip, vehicle maintenance, and a 5% increase in costs starting in 2025.
Annual paratransit applications are due January 2024. Any participant approved for the Paratransit program will be approved for the Pilot as well. Any participant approved for a 2023/24 scholarship through the San Pablo Senior Center will automatically qualify for a fare subsidy for the Pilot.
The Pilot was approved by the Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan Task Force Committee on October 12, 2023, which recommended the total allocation of $170,824 for the Pilot.
On October 27, 2023, WCCTAC approved the allocation of $85,412 in Measure J 28b funds to fund the Pilot. On November 15, 2023, the CCTA Board approved the allocation of $85,412 in Measure X funds to fund the Pilot.
The CCTA will provide program oversight and funding to reimburse the City quarterly. CCTA will determine and communicate data requests and reporting needs and provide technical assistance upon request.
The City will provide transfer-less trips to medical appointments to eligible customers for eighteen (18) months, monitor service performance and demand, adjust service levels, and manage costs. The City will receive and respond to program applications and inquiries, perform outreach, and produce marketing materials to promote the service for all those needing the service. The City will maintain data records and create reports, submit quarterly invoices for payment and participate in meetings and check-ins with CCTA.
COMMUNITY SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
On December 5, 2023, this item was taken before the Community Services Standing Committee (Cruz/Pineda) for its review and the Committee unanimously recommended moving forward to City Council to approve the implementation of an 18-month one-seat ride medical trip pilot program administered by the Paratransit Division of San Pablo’s Community Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Pilot is being funded by Measure X and Measure J 28b funds, there is no fiscal impact on the City of San Pablo’s General Fund.
Attachments:
Att A - Resolution
Att B - WCCTAC Resolution 23-09
Att C - CCTA Resolution 23-40-G