ACCESS Transportation Systems and Port Authority of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA Where coordination makes mobility possible!

ACCESS Transportation Systems, Pittsburgh, PA Sponsored by Port Authority of Allegheny County ACCESS serves as broker 1.9 million rides provided annually in the coordinated system Over 125 sponsoring agencies Service provided by 8 private companies – from 12 locations, non-profit and for profit Providing service since 1979

Lead Partner Port Authority serves as lead partner Commitment to mobility of all citizens Paratransit integral part of family of local transit services Administrative oversight of ACCESS Sponsors ADA and Shared Ride (senior) services

Each sponsor is a customer ACCESS offers sponsors a menu of services including: Sponsor decides eligibility of people and trips Sponsor requires cost sharing, if any Invoicing as requested, accountability Sponsor may request special accommodations For clients For service design Sponsors pay their fair share – including portion of administrative cost

Area Agency on Aging First agency to buy into coordination Gave up its fleet of 50 vehicles Providing 540,000 rides per year Transportation supports all AAA services Senior Centers Adult Day Health Home and community based waiver programs Senior Companions / Senior Employment Health care and medical appointments

Area Agency on Aging Challenge - Develop productive, responsive service sponsor can afford Leverage lottery (PennDOT) funds Cost sharing 225,000 rides annually to support senior center activities

Pennsylvania’s Shared Ride Program Lottery funds subsidize paratransit and fixed route for those aged 65 and over – administered by PennDOT Eligible programs may act as third party sponsors – over 100 participate locally Public transportation vs. human service Maintaining service efficiency provides cost recovery through fares

Providing the kind of service seniors want Door to door Driver assistance Affordable County-wide – 7 days per week, 365 days per year, 6 AM-midnight No trip purpose priorities Partners: PennDOT Port Authority / ACCESS

Neighborhood based service – Elder Express Community circulator Links to transit stops senior center, shopping and activity centers Small co-pay Partners: United Jewish Federation Foundation Ladies Hospital Aid Society Jewish Community Center PennDOT Port Authority/ACCESS

Community Based Human Service Helping smaller agencies afford to provide a ride Marginal costs of empty seats Off peak service Pregrouping Local service Partners Focus on Renewal Positive Parenting / Healthy Start Port Authority / ACCESS

Non Traditional Sponsors Churches Permitted to leverage lottery funds Subscription service Partners PennDOT Port Authority/ACCESS First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood Deliverance Baptist Church

Coordinate Resources Service Delivery Public/private provider cooperation For profit and non-profit providers Dedicated vehicles and taxis Community gives back in kind Travel Instruction Staff Training Facilities

Travel Instruction Quality, professional instruction purchased through cooperative arrangement Partners: City of Pittsburgh Board of Education Port Authority of Allegheny County / ACCESS

Flexibility Providing level of service customers need Managing multiple sponsor eligibility Cost sharing Special requests Customizing invoices and reporting Service Design Advance reservation Same day service Community Circulators

Adult Day Health Frail Seniors Consumers require supervision Door through door, hand to hand assistance Partners Area Agency on Aging PDA Waiver Program Easter Seals Adult Day Care

Service Modifications Customers who benefit from routine Same driver Same route Same passengers In return - negotiate agency service Partners: Port Authority/ACCESS Allegheny County DHS Mercy Behavioral

Yes, We Can! Challenge assumptions Funding sources – blending funds Traditional service delivery – more than one way Institutional barriers Everyone can ride together Develop creative responses Person centered Customer driven Eliminate excuses We don’t do that... We’ve always done it this way... Create service efficiencies

Family Friendly Solutions Car seats remain in vehicle Parents get ride home or to bus stop Agency provides: Car Seats, Staff Monitor, Driver Training Partners: Medical Assistance Transportation, Allegheny County DHS, Mathilda Theiss Health Center, Port Authority/ACCESS

Finding solutions Immediate response, accessible vehicles Domestic violence Protective Service Same day service Cost effective 5310 funds used to acquire accessible taxis Partners Port Authority / ACCESS Pittsburgh Action Against Rape Yellow Cab PennDOT Pennsylvania PUC

Matching the person to the mode Making the best use of all available modes Mobility Management ADA service, job access, MATP Feeder to fixed route

Remote Work Locations Feeder to Fixed Route Partners: Airport Corridor Transportation Association Port Authority of Allegheny County ACCESS JARC funding

Sharing innovations Managing the growth of Medical Assistance Transportation Applying ADA eligibility process to MATP - Least expensive, most appropriate mode Functional assessments conducted by PT/OT staff Provide convenient distribution of transit fare instruments, trip planning Annual savings $500,000 57% of new MATP applicants found able to use bus Partners: MATP, Allegheny County DHS, Port Authority/ACCESS, Easter Seal Society, Traveler’s Aid