HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 83-088 R E S O L U T I O N
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the Policies and Procedures for the Special Transit Services
Program attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof , are
hereby approved and adopted.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this
t he �,Q,;` day of �WA4,e,& , 19_A .
Mayor -
o
P R O P O S E D
i
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
FOR THE
SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES PROGRAM
BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT
1982
SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES PROGRAM
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES
The Special Transit Services (STS) program serves citizens with
mobility impairments who are usually unable to use fixed route transit
services. The program adds realistic meaning to the words
"accessibility" and "mobility" for handicapped individuals. The demand
responsive system increases work, educational, medical and social
opportunities for Beaumont citizens.
The door-through-door service is operated by the City's Beaumont
Municipal Transit (BMT). Special responsibilities have been assigned to
transit personnel in order to provide quality service. A Special
Transit Services Coordinator has been designated to ensure that a high
level of service is provided in an efficient manner. Other transit
personnel process applications and receive reservations for quick and
convenient service. STS passengers are assisted by drivers that are
trained in the areas of first aid, -CPR and sensitivity. All STS vehicles
are equipped with wheelchair lifts and are maintained in a safe and clean
condition.
ELIGIBILITY
All Beaumont residents who, because of disabilities are unable to
use the regular transit system, are eligible for the special
transportation services program. A handicapped person, as defined under
Section 16 (b) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended,
is "any individual who, by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital
malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, is
unable, without special facilities or special planning or design, to
utilize mass transportation facilities as effectively as persons who are
not so affected."
Persons eligible for the Special Transit Services include the
following:
* Transit Restricted - Non-ambulatory persons who, for all
practical purposes, are confined to wheelchairs;
* Transit Limited - Semi-ambulatory persons who, although
handicapped to some extent, can walk with difficulty; generally
included are persons who use crutches, orthopedic canes, walkers
and require special lifts, ramps, other equipment or personal
aides; persons with acute heart or respiratory ailments; or those
who are visually impaired (legally blind). Persons must be unable
to effectively use regular transit.
Because special attention and care must be given in the movement of
invalids (persons who are disabled and are virtually confined to a bed),
this service can best be rendered by private ambulance companies.
Special Transit Services is not an ambulance service. Ambulatory persons
who can walk without serious difficulty should be capable of using fixed
route transit or other public transportation services.
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APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
General Service - An application must be completed in order to
establish individual needs and services desired. Application forms
(Exhibit I) are available from Beaumont Municipal Transit as well as from
specific local and state agencies. All applications should be returned
to:
Beaumont Municipal Transit
550 Milam
r
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attention: Special Transit Services
Applications will be processed for approval within a maximum of five (5)
working days. Those eligible for Special Transit Services are provided a
Rider Identification Card (Exhibit II). A $1.00 fee to cover the cost of
an identification card should accompany the application. This card
includes an identification number that shoulc be used when telephoning
for service. Applicant's eligibility (identification card) is normally
valid for five (5) years. . In specific cases, eligibility may remain in
effect for a length of time specified by the individual's physician
and/or authorized by the STS Coordinator.
Visitors - Mobility impaired visitors to the city may also apply for
service. A temporary pass, which is valid for fifteen (15) days, is
issued at no charge. All eligibility and operating regulations also
apply to visitors. ,
Advanced Reservation Services - Those applicants, who desire service
on a regular basis may use the System's Advanced Reservation Services.
This service is available for work, school, medical, and similar
recurring trips. To qualify, the applicant must need service at least
three (3) times a week and the day and time of pick—up must remain
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constant. Applications for this service (Exhibit III) are available from
the STS Coordinator.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Special Transit Services operate from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on
Mondays thru Saturdays.
Passengers may be enroute to their destinations after termination time,
but new trips will not be scheduled after 5:00 p.m.
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Services will not be provided on the following observed holidays:
New Years Day Labor Day
Memorial Day Thanksgiving
Fourth of July Christmas
PRIORITY FOR SERVICE
A priority system for service assures transportation to individuals
with the greatest need. This priority is based on the degree of
disability and the type of trip. Within the priority listing below,
trips will be scheduled on a "first-come-first-served" basis.
A. Advanced reservation service trips;
B. Any trip by a Transit Restricted person;
C. Medical, work and educational trips by Transit Limited persons; i
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and
D. All other trips by Transit Limited persons.
UTILIZATION OF SERVICE
Scheduling - Eligible riders may obtain service by contacting
Special Transit Services at 838-0617, at least one day in advance of the
desired date. Trip reservations are accepted between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
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Trip requests are accepted when passengers have exact time and
addresses for each origin and destination. Scheduled trips ensure a
passenger's desired trip time and enable STS to increase vehicle
utilization through shared rides. An STS vehicle should arrive within
thirty (30) minutes of the time requested by the passenger. The operator
may not wait more than five (5) minutes beyond the scheduled pick-up time
for passengers.
A call-back system is used in the event that a person's pick-up time
must be rescheduled. If the passenger leaves a telephone number, the
person will be notified if the vehicle is anticipated to arrive later
than forty-five (45) minutes from the scheduled pick-up time.
Changes in Scheduled Trips - Passengers desiring to cancel a
scheduled trip or to change a destination or pick-up time should inform
the STS Scheduler at least one (1) hour prior to the originally scheduled
pick-up time. Repeated failure to inform STS of cancellations may
exclude the passenger from future service.
Fare Structure - The following fare structure is used in the Special
Transit Services Program:
A. Eligible mobility impaired riders - $1.00 per one-way trip.
B. One medical attendant - free.
C. Other passenger(s) accompanying mobility impaired rider (on
space available basis).
• Adult (age 19 & up) $2.00 per one-way trip.
• Youth (age 6-18 years) $1.00 per one-way trip.
• Children (age 5 & under) Free.
D. Eligible mobility impaired rider monthly pass - $30.00
E. Charter Rate - $20.00/hr., three hour minimum.
?e_4 .j_4 V 5
Exact fare will be required when boarding. Van operators will not
be able to make change since fares are deposited in locked fare boxes and
operators do not have keys. Ticket books can be purchased from Beaumont
Municipal Transit.
OPERATING POLICIES
The Special Transit Services Program is an individualized public
transit service in which the cooperation of each person is essential for
the service to be efficient for all passengers. Operational guidelines
may be established by the Director of Urban Transportation for both STS
passengers and transit personnel. These guidelines will be provided to
each eligible rider.
APPEAL PROCEDURE
If an applicant wishes to appeal any administrative decision of the
STS Coordinator or express a complaint about the STS Program, the
following steps may be taken:
A. A letter to the STS Coordinator requesting an appeal or
describing the complaint within ten (10) working days of the
occurrence, will initiate action. The STS Coordinator responds
to the appeal or complaint within five (5) working days of
receipt of the letter.
B. If the individual is not satisfied, then a letter may be sent to
the Transit Manager within ten (10) working days of the
Coordinator's final response. The Transit Manager responds to
the appeal or complaint within five (5) working days of receipt
of the letter.
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C. If the individual is not satisfied, a letter may be sent to the
Director of Urban Transportation within ten (10) days of the
Transit Manager's final response. The Director of Urban
Transportation responds to the complaint or appeal within five
(S) working days of the receipt of the letter.
This appeal procedure is not applicable to policy or other matters
which rest -with the City Council.
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E X H I B I T S
(EXHIBIT 1)
Beaumont Municipal Transit
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TRANSIT SE•RVIC17S PROGRAM!
If you have difficulties that usually prevent you from effectively using regular
route transit for trips such as work, school, medical, or other trips, you maybe eligible
for the Special Transit Services Program. The information requested in this application
and in the doctor's certification is confidential; any release of data is for transit
planning purposes only and, in such cases, the person's name will not be used. Please
answer the questions below in order to enable us to assist you in your transportation
needs.
APPLICANT PERSONAL INFORMATION (Please type or print):
Name:
Last (First) (Middle Initial)
Address:
(Street, R.R.)
(City F, State) (Zip Code)
Telephone No: Birthdate:
Please give the name and telephone number of someone other than yourself who will
be contacting us to request service or that we may contact if the need arises:
Name: Telephone No:
If you will be using the Special Transit Services Program for medical, work, school,
or similar recurring trips, please indicate that you would like an application for
Advanced Reservation Service. For example, if you have to be at work by 8:00 a.n.
Monday through Friday, you may apply for Advanced Reservation Service.
We will schedule your trip on a regular basis, thus eliminating the need for you
to call in every day in advance.
Please send me an application for Advanced Reservation Service, pending the
approval of this application.
AC IaIOWLEDGEMEN'T
I hereby make application for Special Transit Services and agree to abide by the
provisions of the STS program. I further agree to immediately notify the Beaumont
Municipal Transit office of any changes in disability status and understand that this
may effect my eligibility to use the service. I also understand that failure to make
a trip after scheduling and not canceling or notifying the office at lease one (1) hour
in advance may be grounds for revoking my application and the right to participate in
the program. In making this application, I agree to release the information on the
back of this form to Beaumont Municipal Transit for the purpose of verifying program
eligibility.
Signature of Applicant Date
OFFICE USE ONLY
TYPE OF DISABILITY: TRANSIT RESTRICTED TRANSIT LIMITED
Application Received. Date
Reviewed by Approved Denied
Date
Comments:
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EXHIBIT I Cont.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
For
Special Transit Services Program
NOTICE TO MEDICAL DOCTOR: (Please check the mobility impairment (s) which applies
to this individual.)
Medical Condition
1) Invalid
A. Persons who are virtually confined to bed.
2) Non-Ambulatory
A. Persons who are generally confined to wheelchairs.
3) Semi-Ambulatory
A. Individuals who walk with difficulty, including individuals using a
long leg brace, a walker or crutches.
B. Individuals who suffer arthritis which causes a functional motor
deficit in any major limbs (arms and/or legs).
C. Individuals who suffer amputation, anatomical deformity, or loss of:
Limbs, hands, feet (unless well compensated by prosthesis) or spine,
neck and pelvic area.
D. Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) causing the individual to have
difficulty in walking or standing due to paralysis.
E. Pulmonary ills. Individuals suffering respiratory impairment (dyspnea).
F. Sight disabilities. Eligibility is limited to only the legall blind.
G. Other disabilities which inpair a person's mobility. Please specify.
The applicant requires the following:
Wheelchair Walker Crutches Cane Attendant
The applicant will be allowed to bring one attendant on each trip as long as the Beaumont
Municipal Transit office is notified when the service is requested.
Please record any emergency medical information of which the van operator should be aware
or comments relative to the above checked disability. Regular medication that the applicant
is taking must also be listed below.
I certify that is:
(Name of Applicant
permanently mobility impaired (at least five years) or
temporarily mobility impaired (anticipated to be disabled until
as noted in the above medical conditions for the Special Transit Services.
H.D.
Signature of Physician Date
Name: Title
Address:
(Street, P. 0. Box, R.R.)
(City L State ) (Zip Code
Telephone No.
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-
EXHI-BIT TI
RIDER IDENTIFICATION CARDS
BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT
SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES PROGRAM
TR '
NAME : Those riders who are non-ambulatory
will be issued a card with the prefix f
ADDRESS: "TR" and a four digit number.
TELEPHONE:
EXPIRATION DATE:
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i
FRONT
BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT
SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES PROGRAM Those riders who are semi-ambulatory
will be issued a card with the prefix
TL A "TL" and a four digit number.
NAME : Non-ambulatory or semi-ambulatory
passengers requiring an aide will
ADDRESS: receive an I. D. car coded with
'►A'r.
TELEPHONE: an
EXPIRATION DATE:
FRONT
Cards will have the following
All requests for service are accepted characteristics:
Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. 1. Size of a drivers license;
and 5:00 p.m. One day advanced notice 2. No photograph,
is required. To request service or 3. Valid for a time depending
for information, call 838-0617. on disability.
BACg
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(EXHIBIT III)
Beaumont Municipal Trans,}t
SPECIAL TRANSIT SI: OCES PROGRAM
Advanced Reservation Service
APPLICANT PERSONAL INFORMATION (Please type or print):
NAME:
(Last) (First) (Middle Initial)
Address:
(Street, P. 0. Box, R,R.)
(City G State) (Zip Code)
Telephone No: Social Security No.
Please give the name and telephone number of someone other than yourself
who may be contacting us to request service for you or that we may contact
if the need arises:
Name
(Telephone Number)
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
Please check your needs and fill in the appropriate blanks below:
Trip 1: I will need service on Mon Tues Wed Thurs
Fri , Sat , Bi-Weekly . My required arrival time is
and my approximate departure time for the
return trip will—be I need to be taken to
located at
(Facility Address)
Trip 2: I will need service on Mon Tues Wed Thurs ,
Fri , Sat , Bi-Weekly My required arrival time is
and my approximate departure time for the
return trip will be I need to be taken to
• (Facility Name) located at
(Facility Address)
CONTACT INFORMATION:
I agree that I will notify the BMT office at least one (1) hour in
advance, if for any -reason I cannot make the trip. I understand that
repeated failure (three times in 30 days) to cancel trips within the
agreed time could be grounds for revoking my privilege to participate
in the Advanced Reservation Service and/or the STS Program.
Signature of Applicant Date
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