San Francisco s Network of Transportation Services in Response to Community Needs International Paratransit Conference October 30, 2014
Overview of San Francisco s Senior and Disabled Population 830,000 residents in San Francisco 17% or 170,000 are 60+ 11% or 91,000 have a disability Majority of older adults and disabled are non-white Higher life expectancy among seniors in San Francisco compared to California
Transportation in San Francisco Eighth largest transit system in United States, by ridership 750,000 weekday fixed route boarding's, approx. 150,000 senior/disabled 13,500 registered Paratransit riders 775,000 annual paratransit trips Multiple social service agencies providing additional services
Recent Trends Shift to at home, independent living Greater need to provide transportation to community services Provide access to the city s social and cultural events and facilities Increasing frail population of older adults Need for transportation for certain daily activities Goal: Provide safe, affordable, and accessible transportation services allow for a continued high quality of life
Network of Transportation Services SF Paratransit SF Access Taxi Services Group Van Peer Escort Pilot Program Non ADA programs Shop-a-Round Van Gogh Paratransit Plus
SF Access Prescheduled, door-to-door transportation on a shared ride van Trips within ¾ of a mile of any MUNI route Agreements with neighboring paratransit agencies to provide trips to and from San Francisco In FY 13-14, about 233,000 trips performed, including 71,000 wheelchair trips to 3,800 active van riders Cost per trip: $33.16 for ambulatory $50.10 for wheelchair
Taxi Services Demand response service provided on general public taxis, including 100 ramp taxis for wheelchair users In FY 13-14, 260,000 trips completed, including 15,000 trips for wheelchair users, to 4,500 active taxi riders Clients pay meter fare through subsided SF Paratransit debit card All taxis in San Francisco are required to participate in SF Paratransit program Average cost per trip: $13.81
Benefit and Challenges Benefits High level of customer satisfaction User choice of taxi company Individual trips (not shared) Cost effective for transit agency Low capital costs and cost per trip Integration of paratransit into an existing industry Challenges May be hard to start new taxi service: generally there are multiple regulatory bodies Service quality challenges Peak time use competition with general public Less control of service Fraud mitigation necessary
SFMTA Group Van Service Prescheduled, door-to-door transportation for groups of individuals going to a single location, such as adult day health center Trips are scheduled and billed to agencies In FY13-14, provided 215,000 trips to about 1,200 SF Paratransit riders attending services with 14 agencies at 17 different locations Average cost per trip: $14.78
Aging and Adult Group Van Services Prescheduled, door-to-door transportation for groups who attend nutrition and other programs sponsored by Department on Aging and Adult Services Funding provided by DAAS Provided 30,000 trips provided to 10 agencies; 7,000 trips to grocery stores Average cost per trip: $18.18
Benefits and Challenges Benefits More efficient scheduling of riders Vans are better utilized for service Set pick up and drop off times provide centers with more knowledge to coordinate Challenges Residence of riders are spread through the city Increased ride times Higher percentage of riders in wheelchairs Higher level of frailty among riders
Shop-a-Round Service Provides transportation to grocery stores for seniors and persons with disabilities Goal: provide transportation and assistance to individuals who live in areas without nearby fresh groceries Launched in October 2010 at four select neighborhoods, since expanded citywide Riders may decide to either van or taxi service In FY 13-14, completed 6,000 trips to about 1,300 riders
Van Gogh Shuttle Provides transportation to groups of seniors and persons with disabilities to cultural and social events and activities Goal: reduce social isolation among seniors and persons with disabilities who are at high risk Launched in 2013 In FY 13-14, provided trips to over 1,300 trips to about 650 riders
Paratransit Plus Provide a limited value taxi debit card ($60 per month) to individuals who do not qualify for ADA paratransit but need extra assistance for certain trips About 125 individuals in program Generally older and more fragile (80+) Selected by analyst based on age and mobility function
Peer Escort Project Growing number of riders require hand-tohand transportation Project Objectives: Improve access to day programs for people with cognitive disabilities. Improve safety and on-board experience of SFMTA paratransit group van riders who have cognitive disabilities (e.g. dementia, developmental disabilities) by providing a peer escort
Project Details Initial pilot of program will target select group van centers with high number of at-risk riders Short term funding through DAAS; applying for federal grant to sustain program Partnership with Family Services Agency Utilize existing Senior Companion Program Will recruit low income seniors and persons with disabilities as escorts with emphasis on those with similar language and cultural backgrounds as riders Provide training, background checks, and stipend for escorts
Looking Forward Continued shift of policy towards prioritizing aging in place Emphasis on ensuring seniors and persons with disabilities have access to transportation and the community at large Meeting service gaps, especially among older adults Increase use of mobility management tools to ensure individuals have knowledge and choose the best and most cost effective transportation choice Collaborating with city agencies and community organizations
Overall Coordination To ensure transportation services provided meet the needs of the community, the SFMTA Accessible Services Program collaborates with: Member of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council Dementia Care Work Group Alzheimer community meetings Strong partnership with Department on Aging and Adult Services Paratransit Coordinating Council Executive Committee includes community-based organization representatives, DAAS, paratransit users, senior and disabled advocates
Contact Information SFMTA Annette Williams Manager Accessible Services Program 415. 701.4444 annette.williams@sfmta.com Kate Toran Deputy Director of Taxis and Accessible Services 415.701.5235 kate.toran@sfmta.com