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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 92-023 t Y s RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the City Manager be, and he is hereby authorized, to approve and adopt an ADA Paratransit Plan developed for the Beaumont Municipal Transit System attached hereto as Exhibit A" and made a part hereof for all purposes. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this theVg,,,day of 1992. - Mayor - CITY OF BEAUMfloNT BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT SYSTF<v! SPECIAL TRANSIT SERVICES PROGRAM A PLAN FOR D'IPL SITING THE CMPLEiNARY PARATRANSIT SERVICE REC-UIIRMIIV'I'S OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. JANUARY 1992 q2-;3 "EXHI_BIT A" `fable of Contents Section Paae I. Purpose of the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l II. General Information ' . • • . • ' • • ' . . ' ' ' • • • . . • . • . • • 2 III. Description of Fixed Route Service ' ' • . • • ' • ' ' • ' • ' • • . 3 Population Served/Service Area, ' • ' ' • • ' • • • ' • • . • • • 3 Route Structure . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Days/Hours of Service . . . . ' • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 BusHeadways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FareStructure • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Vehicle Fleet in Service • ' ' ' • ' • • • • ' ' . • • • . . . . . . . 4 Accessibility of Vehicles/Routes • • • • • • ' ' • • • • • • • • • a Route Map/Schedule• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a IV. Description of Existing Paratransit Service • ' • • • . • • • • . . ' • • 5 Eligibility. Requirements• • • ' • ' • • • • • • ' • • • • . • • ' . . . 5 Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Type of Service/Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • 7 ResponseTime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 FareStructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 TripPurpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .Hours/Days of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fleet Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Capacity Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ridership Information . . • . • . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Operational Information . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • 9 Other Service Providers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Appeal/Complaint Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 V. Description of the Proposed Camplementary Paratransit Service • . . . . . 10 Estimateof Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Analysis of Differences Between Current/Required Service. . . . . . . . 15 Description of How Proposed Service Will Meet Each of the Six Service Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Transportation of ADA Eligible Passengers Requesting Pick-up/ Drop-Off Points Outside New Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 TrainingFor Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Maintenance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Administrative Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Tentative Timetable of Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 VI. Description of Proposed Eligibility F)termination Process • • • . . • . 26 Availability of Application Materials and Information in Accessible Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Description of the Determination Process . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Timetable for Processing Applications• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Visitor Policy/Reciprocal and Presumptive Eligibility . . . • . • . . 26 Documentation Provided to ADA Paratransit Eligible Persons • • . • . . 27 Administrative Appeals/Complaint Process • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 VII. Descripton of the Public Participation Process Used to Develop the Pla-I . 29 VIII. Efforts to Coordinate Service with Other Public Entities• • . . . . . . . 31 IX. Certifications, Resolutions, and Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 City Council Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Transit Advisory Committee Recommendation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 MPO Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Certification of Existing Paratransit Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 t List of Exhibits Page A. Fixed Route Bus Map and Schedules • • • • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 B. Application Form for Special Transit Services (STS) Program • • • • . . . B-1 C. STS Passenger Identification Card • • • . • • • . . . . . . . . . . C-1 D. BMT STS Policies and Procedures Booklet • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . • D-1 E. BMT STS Information Brochure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �-1 F. Application for STS Advanced Reservation Service • • • • • • • . • . . . . . F-1 G. STS Trip Purpose - FY 1991 vs. FY 1986 • • • • • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1 H. Annual STS Ridership - FY 1984 to FY 1991 • • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . H-1 I. STS Passengers by Time of Day • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 J. Comparison of STS Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses- FY 1987 1987 to FY 1991 • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-1 K. List of Other Specialized Transportation Providers • . • • • • . • . . . . . K-1 L. Proposed Application for Certification of ADA Paratransit Eligibility Form And Application for Advanced Reservation Service • • • • • L-1 M. Map of Proposed STS Service Area • • • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . M-1 N. Sample Acceptance Letter for ADA Eligibility • • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . N-1 O. Proposed STS Passenger Identification Card • • • • • • . • . . . . . . 0-1 P. Sample Denial Letter for ADA Eligibility • • • . • • . . . . . . . . P-1 Q. Tentative Schedule for ADA Paratransit Plan Submission • • . • . . • . . g1 R. Cover Letter and-Survey Form Mailed to Other Disabled Transportation Providers and Social Service Agencies • • • . • . . . . . . R-1 S. Mailing List for Survey - . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1 T. Sample Flyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1 U. List of Local Media Contacted and Copy of Press Release • • • . • • • • . . U-1 V. First and Second Public Hearing Notices ' ' . • • • • • . • • • . • . V-1 W. List of Attendees - First Public Hearing ' ' ' • • • • . • . . . • • • W-1 X. Significant Issues Raised at Second Public Hearing ' ' • • • • • • • • . • • X-1 SECTION I - PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM The U.S Department of Trarns��ortation, Urban Mass Transportation Administration (=A) issued regulations in 1987, implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These regulations (49 CFR, Part 27) required that the City of Beaumont establish a program for providing transportation service for the disabled. The required program had to establish and meet specific standards for providing service for the disabled as described in the regulations. In addition, the program had to be developed in consultation with disabled persons, groups reresenting disabled persons, transportation and social service organizations, and the metropolitan planning organization. At that time, the City of Beaumont operated a demand-responsive transportation system for the disabled. Known as Special Transit Services (STS) , this program began operation in July 1983. The program provided door-through-door transportation for persons who throughout the City of Beaumont were physically unable to use the fixed route transit system for the general public. The new program, published in June of 1987, was approved by UMTA and put into operation. Only minor modifications to the existing STS Program were necessary in order to meet the Federal requirements. With the recent passage of the Americans with Disablities Act (ADA) of 1990, many aspects of the public disability policy established under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 were changed. Specifically in the area of transportation, public entities providing general public transportation no longer have the option of making their fixed route systems accessible or providing separate paratransit service for persons with disabliities, such as the STS Program. Access to fixed route systems is required, and under the ADA, paratransit is not a substitute for fixed route service, but rather a required supplemental service. ADA also establishes accessablity standards for vehicles and facilities. ADA did not replace Section 504. The general requirement under Section 504 that entities not discriminate against persons with disabilities as a condition of eligibility for Federal funding still exists. The two laws are now interrelated. Compliance with the provisions of ADA is a condition of compliance with Section 504. A plan for providing complementary paratransit service must be submitted to UMrA by January 26, 1992. Full compliance with all aspects of the requirements is required as soon as possible, but no later than January 26, 1997. What follows is a description of the program, the public participation process, used in developing the program, and a list of specific milestones planned during the phase-in period of the new program. 1 SECFION II - GENEIA.L INFORMATION The Beaumont Municipal Transit System (BMT) is publicly owned by the City of Beaumont, Texas. It is operated under a management agreement with CCL Management, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida. The following names, addresses, telephone numbers, and FAX numbers are provided.: City of Beaumont Department of Public Works ATIN: Mr. Tom Warner, Director P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Office Telephone (409) 880-3725 FAX Telephone (409) 880-3712 Beaumont Municipal Transit System ATIN: Mr. William J. Munson, General Manager 550 Milam Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Office Telephone (409) 835-7895 FAX Telephone (409) 832-3609 2 I S 'CTIOLI III - rTSCRIPTIaT OF FIXED ROUTE SERVICE Population Served/Service Area - The City of Beaumont encompasses approximately 74 square miles within it's City Limits. According to 1990 U.S. Census Bureau data, the population of Beaumont is 114, 323. If the basic service area is considered to be a corridor 3/4 of a mile to either side of existing fixed service routes, then the current fixed route service area would cover approximately 38 square miles. In this service area, it is estimated that 70% of Beaumont's total population resides. This calculates to be a population of 80,026 which is served by the current fixed bus routes. Route Structure - The Beaumont Municipal Transit System operates on a time transfer configuration with a Central Transfer Point located in the heart of downtown. Routes are structured in a radial pattern and begin/end at the Central Transfer Point. A total of nine routes are operated. Of these routes, four service areas north of downtown (Magnolia, Parkdale, Laurel, and Pine) , four service areas south of downtown (Refinery, South Par.{, South Eleventh, and College) , and one route serves the far west side of town (Calder) . Eight of the nine routes are paired (Magnolia-Refinery, Parkdale-South Park, Calder- College, and Pine-Laurel) while the South Eleventh route operates independently. Days/Hours of Service - Fixed route bus service is operated Mondays through Fridays, 6:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the hours of operation are 7:30 a.m, until 6:30 p.m. BMT does not provide service on Sundays or on the holidays of New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanks- giving Day, and Christmas. Bus Headways - Weekday headways are 30 minutes on the Magnolia, Refinery, Parkdale, South Park, Calder, and College routes while the Pine, Laurel, and South Eleventh routes have 60 minute headways. Saturday headways are 23 minutes on the Parkdale and South Park routes, 45 minutes on the Magnolia, Refinery, Calder, and College routes, and 60 minutes on the Pine, Laurel, and South Eleventh routes. Fare Structure - Current fare structure for fixed route service is as follows: Cash Fares Monthly Pass Fares Adults. . . . .. . .. . . .. . . . ... . . .. . .50T Adult. . . .. . ... . .. .$18.00 Senior Citizens (65 or older) . .... .15(� Senior Citizen. . . .$ 7.00 Disabled (with EMT ID. ) . .. . . . ... .. .15( Disabled.. . . . . . . . .$ 7.00 Youth (ages 6 through 18) ... . .. . . ..20(r Youth. .. . . . . . . .. . .$ 7.00 Children (under 6 with adult fare) .FREE Transfers. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .10( Senior Citizen/Disabled Transfer. . .FREE 3 i� Vehicle Fleet in Service - BMT maintains a fleet of_ 16 fired route transit coaches. A total of 11 coaches are operated during weekdays and 9 coaches are in service on Saturdays. The following number of buses are operated on the routes listed: WEEKDAY SATURDAY Route Number of Buses Route Number of Buses Magnolia/Refinery 3 Magnolia/Refinery 2 Parkdale/South Park 3 Parkdale/South Park 3 Calder/College 3 Calder/College 2 Pine/Laurel 1 Pine/Laurel 1 South Eleventh 1 South Eleventh 1 TOTAL 11 TOTAL 9 The fixed route fleet consists of the following types of vehicles: Number Year Model Type Length/Width 11 1989 TMC RTS 06 35 /96" 5 1991 TMC RTS 06 35 '/96" Accessibility of Vehicles/Routes - Only the above five 1991 RTS coaches are accessible. They have rear door wheel chair lifts. Part 38 -.Accessibility Specifications requires that to be considered accessible, each fixed route bus must have two wheelchair tie down positions and the lifts be equipped with handrails. 'These five buses only have one wheel chair tie down position and are not equipped with handrails. Therefore, they do not comply with Part 38. These five buses are operated on the routes listed below: WEEKDAY Route Number of Buses (Accessible) Total Number of Buses Accessibility Magnolia/Refinery 1 3 33% Parkdale/South Park 1 3 33% Calder/College 1 3 33% Pine/Laurel 1 1 100% South Eleventh 1 1 100% SYSTEM TOTAL 5 11 45% SATURDAY Route Number of Buses (Accessible) Total Number of Buses Accessibility Magnolia/Refinery 1 2 50% Parkdale/South Park 1 3 33% Calder/College 1 2 50% Pine/Laurel 1 1 100% South Eleventh 1 1 100% SYSTEM TOTAL 5 9 56% Route Map/Schedule - Attached at Exhibit A is a current route map and schedule for the Beaumont Municipal Transit System's fixed route bus service. 4 ® 6 IV. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PAF.ATRANSIT SITRVICES Eligibility Requirements - All persons who, by reason of disability, are physically unable to use Beaumont Municipal Transit's regular fixed route transit ser,-ice are eligible to use the Special Transit Service. Persons eligible for Special Transit Services (STS) include the following: • Non-ambulatory persons who, for all practical purposes, are confined to wheelchairs. • Semi-ambulatory persons who, although disabled to some extent, can walk with difficulty. Generally, included are persons who use crutches, orthorpedic canes, walkers, and/or require special lifts, ramps, equipment, or personal aids. • Persons with acute heart or respiratory ailments and those who are visually impaired (legally blind) if their condition renders them physically un- able to effectively utilize the fixed route transit services. • Other individuals who because of a long or short term disability are unable to physically use the fixed route transit system as determined by a physician. Persons requiring emergency medical transportation or who require constant medical care or treatment are not eligible for STS. This service can best be rendered by private ambulance commies. To determine eligibility, an application for STS is completed by both the disabled person and the physician (Exhibit B) . A physician indicates on the application the nature of the disability and certifies that the individual is unable to physically use the fixed route transit service. The physician's certification is the primary means for determining eligibility. Applications are processed for approval within a maximum of five working days. Eligibility is valid a length of time as specified by the individual's physician and/or as authorized by the STS Coordinator not to exceed five years. Mobility impaired visitors to the City of Beaumont may also apply for service. A temporary pass, which is valid for fifteen days, is issued. Temporary passes can be renewed upon request. All eligibility and operating regulations apply to visitors. However, the physicians certification may be waived if the STS Coordinator determines that the visitor is physically unable to use the fixed route transit service. Non-eligible persons may also accompany eligible disabled passengers. If the physician indicates on the application form that an attendant is needed, one person may travel with the eligible passenger free of charge. Other non-eligible persons may accompany an eligible passenger on a space available basis. A fare is required fran these passengers. 5 ii ry Once eligibility is approved, the applicant is notified in writing. They are issued an STS Identification Card (Exhibit C) and also provided. a "BMT Special Transit Services Policies and Procedures" Booklet (Exhibit D) . Applicants are charged $1.00 for the STS Identification. Card. Personnel - The following Beaumont Municipal Transit employees are involved in the administration and operation of the Special Transit Services Program: o Van Operators - Responsible for the operation of the STS Vans and for providing service directly to the disabled passengers. All operators are trained in the proper use of wheelchair lift equipment, the transport of passengers in wheelchairs, securement procedures, emergency and accident procedures and passenger relations. They all have received special sensitivity training in dealing with the special needs of disabled passengers. o Special Transit Services Scheduler - Responsible for scheduling transportation services for disabled passengers. The STS Scheduler assists the disabled in completing the application form, scheduling trips, answering questions, and providing information regarding the STS Program. The STS Scheduler has received sensitivity training, and is able to operate TDD ocmunicatons equipment. o Special Transit Service Coordinator - Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program. The Coordinator approves applications for service, investigates passenger complaints, and ensures that the service is provided in accordance with the requirements of the program. The Coordinator is also responsible for training the STS Van Operators and the STS Scheduler. o General Manager - Responsible for ensuring that the City's Policies and Procedures for the Special Transit Services Program are ocmplied with fully and effectively. The General Manager is responsible for the actions of all Beaumont Transit employees. Public Information. - Information concerning the STS Program is made available to the disabled comunity through published materials such as the Policies and Procedures Booklet (Exhibit D) , the STS Brochure (Exhibit E) , and by telephone. The STS Brochure, which briefly describes the program and how to apply, is available at locations throughout the City where schedules for the fixed route bus service are distributed. In addition, these brochures are made available to organizations who provide services to the disabled in the community. All newly certified STS eligible passengers are given an STS Policies and Procedures Booklet upon approval of the application. The telephone number for requesting information and/or scheduling rides on the STS Program is published on all the above listed literature, in public telephone books, and is dissiminated. throughout the community. Four telephone lines are currently available for scheduling or requesting information. 6 TYpe of Service/Service Area - Service is provided on a demand-responsive basis to all eligible disabled persons to and from any origin or destination within the City Limits of Beaumont. Response Time - Service is scheduled the day before it is required. Trip reouests are accepted when passengers have an e,cact time and address for each origin and destination. Scheduled trips ensure a passenger's desired trip time and enable the City to increase vehicle utilization through shared rides. Vehicles arrive within 30 minutes of the time(s) scheduled by the passenger. Vehicles do not wait more than 5 minutes beyond the scheduled pick-up time for passengers. Return trips may also be scheduled on a "will-call" basis. Eligible passengers scheduling a return trip on a "will-call" basis are required to contact the STS Scheduler when they wish to be picked up. A vehicle will then be dispatched as soon as possible. However, passengers with scheduled pick-up times receive priority over "will call" passengers. Passengers desiring to cancel a scheduled trip or to change a destination or pick-up time are required to inform the STS Scheduler at least one hour prior to the originally scheduled pick-up time. Scheduling begins at 8:00 a.m. and is closed at 5:00 p.m. on the day before service is required. To ensure that service is provided "on-time", operators are required to radio all pick-up and drop-off times in to the STS Scheduler. On-time performance is monitored daily by the STS Coordinator so that corrective action can be taken as needed. Fare Structure - The fare structure for the STS Program is outlined belo:a: Eligible Disabled Persons: Cash Fare (one-way trip) $ 1.00 ibnthly Pass (unlimited rides) $30.00 Ticket Books (10 one-way trips) $10.00 Attendent Required by Physician: FREE Other Passengers Accompanying Disabled Passengers: Adult (Age 19 and over, one-way trip) $ 1.50 Youth (Age 6 through 18, one-way trip) $ 1.00 Children (Age 5 and under) FREE Application Fee (to cover cost of STS I.D. Card)$ 1.00 7 Trip Purpose - Eligible disabled passengers are provided transportation on a "first-come-first-served" basis regardless of trip purpose. However, eligible passengers, who desire service on a regular basis may apply for use of the Program's Advance Reservation Service. This service is available for work, school, medical, and similar recurring trips. To qualify, the passenger must need service at least 3 times a week and the day and time of pick-up must remain constant. Advanced reservation trips are limited to 500 of the current- capacity so that passengers who do not require transportation on a regular basis have an opportunity to use the Special Transit Service. A sample Advance: Reservation Form is attached as Exhibit F. For planning purposes, ridership information from FY 1991 was collected and a passenger trip purpose chart was developed (Exhibit G) . This chart indicates what the transportation needs are of Beaumont's disabled community. Hours and Days of Service - Transportation for disabled passengers is provided on weekdays during the same hours as the fixed route bus service, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, STS service is also provided from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. , while fixed route service is only provided from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Special Transit Service does not operate on Sundays and on New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Fleet Information - BMT maintains a fleet of four paratransit vans. Three vans are operated each weekday and two vans are operated on Saturdays. All four vans are lift-equipped and can accommodate both ambulatory and non-ambulatory passengers. Information on the four vans is provided below: Number Year Make/Model Capacity 1 1983 Wayne Transette 8 seats and (Chevrolet) 2 wheelchair positions 3 1989 Metrotrans Classic 10 seats and (Ford) 3 wheelchair positions Capacity Constraints - Capacity constraints do exist within the current STS Program. Usually, all available slots are filled quickly after scheduling begins each morning. Some passengers are denied rides almost every day because all vans are filled to capacity on a regular basis. The number and percentage of trips that are refused are unknown at this time since data has never been kept. A plan and methodology for determining these numbers is discussed thoroughly in Section V. Ridership Information - The following information represents data collected for the operating period of FY 1991: o Number of Individuals Currently Certified in the STS Program 628 o Number of Annual One-Way Passenger Trips 14,983 o Average One-Way Passenger Trips Per Month 1,249 o Annual Breakdown of Passengers by Method of Fare Payment 8 , Cash Passengers 8,096 Tickets 279 Passes 6,608 The chart at Exhibit H shows the steady increase in STS ridership since inception of the program. Exhibit I is a chart which shows the number of STS passengers transported during different times of the day. This indicates the re�_K periods STS transportation is needed. Operational Information - The following operational information is also from the FY 1991 operating period: Total Annual Operating Expenses for BMT $ 1 ,756,35= Total Annual Operating Expenses for the STS Program $ 204,610 Paratransit Portion of Total Annual Operating Expenses 11.6° Annual Scheduled STS Mileage 119,351 Revenue Passengers Per Mile 126 Cost Per Mile S 1.71 Annual STS Fares Collected 15,542 Average Fare Per Passenger S 1.04 Net Cost Per Mile 1.58 Annual Hours Operated 7,600 Cost Per Hour $ 26.92 Cost Per Trip $ 13.66 Exhibit J is a chart comparing the operating expenses of the STS Program to the total operating expenses of the IIT System for the past five years. Other Service Providers - A list of other specialized transportation providers in Beaumont is located at Exhibit K. Appeal/Complaint Procedure - If an applicant for service or an eligible disabled person wishes to appeal any administrative decision of the STS Coordinator or express a complaint about the program, the following steps are taken: 1. A letter to the STS Coordinator requesting an appeal or describing the complaint within ten working days of the occurrence will initiate action. The STS Coordinator will respond to the appeal within five working days of receipt of the letter. 2. If the individual is not satisfied, then a letter may be sent to the General Manager within ten working days of the STS Coordinator's final response. The General Manager will respond to the appeal or complaint within five working days of receipt of the letter. 3. If the individual is not satisfied, a letter may be sent to the the Director of Public Works within ten days of the General Manager's final response. The Director of Public Works will respond to the complaint within five working days of the receipt of the letter. 4. This appeal procedure is not applicable to policy or other matters which rest with the Beaumont City Council. 9 SECTION V - DESCRIPTIO?j of IiIS PROPOSED COMP=YENTARY PARA MN: SIT SERVICE Estimate of Demand - Under ADA, eligibility standards have significantly changed to include mentally incapacitated individuals and those who are triable to reach boarding locations or destinations due to specific impairment related conditions. It is unknown what effect these new eligibiltty criteria .rill have on demand except that a dramatic increase in the number of individuals eligible for paratransit transportation is anticipated. Exactly how many of this newly eligible group of disabled individuals will seek certification into the STS Program and request transportation is not known at this time. The capacity of the existing STS vehicle fleet is not enough to meet current demands. No records have been kept in the past of how many passengers have been denied transportation because of the lack of capacity. These figures would probably not be accurate anyway. It can be assumed that many of the certified individuals in the STS Program have given up trying to schedule transportation because of regular denials of trip requests due to opacity limitations. The most significant effect on demand is the requirement that there i•7ill .be no limits on service availablity due to capacity constraints. This requires that any eligible individual who requests transportation must be accopmnodated within one hour of the reqested time. Once eligible individuals are aware of this requirement, especially the organizations which serve these eligible clients, it is anticipated that demand will increase dramatically. Another factor affecting future demand will be the new definition of service area. Currently, the STS Program services eligible passengers having pick-up and drop-off points within the City Limits of Beaumont. Under the new plan, service area is defined as a corridor 3/4 of a mile to either side of the existing fixed bus service routes including the core area. The core area includes the areas completely surrounded by .and contained within the corridors. This significantly reduces the service area of the STS Program. Eligible passengers must be picked. up and dropped off within this newly defined service area. Many people now serviced by the STS Program live outside of the new service area. Living outside of the service area does not necessarily make an individual ineligible for the new service. However, since most passengers are picked up at their places of residence to be transported to dialysis, medical appointments, work, and other various destinations, it is doubtful that many eligible passengers living outside of the service area would be able to utilize the service or would find it to be practical. It can be theorized that opening up paratransit eligiblity to a much broader segment of the disabled community, redefining the service area, and requiring that there be no service limitations because of capacity, will all have a significant effect on demand. Not only will the STS program have to provide service to those eligible individuals who now sometimes are denied transportation because of lack of capacity, but will have to service all of the individuals who will beccrne eligible under the new eligibility criteria. 10 8 q The purchase of additional vehicles, the hiring of additional drivers and maintenance personnel, and the allocation of additional operation ;ponies are all very real possibilities which the City of Beaumont and nmr ',gill l--)e facinq in order to accommodate an increased demand. l It makes little sense to blindly purchase additional vehicles or hire additional personnel without having hard factual data to base the expenditure of funds upon. In order to obtain accurate data on demand, the City of Beaumont and BMT plan to educate the disabled community and the social service organizations within the area on ADA eligibility requirements for paratransit service. This will be accomplished through public hearings, distribution of flyers, news releases, telephone informational services, and other various communications channels. All ADA paratransit eligible individuals who are not already certified for the STS Program, and who wish to utilize it's transportation services, will be strongly encouraged to apply. They will also be encouraged to call in to request service anytime they would normally need it, even though current capacity constraints will not allow every individual to be satisfied. This process will begin on January 26, 1992 and continue for a six month period. During the six months, ridership data will be kept to include the number of denials due to capacity. The new STS Application for Certification of ADA Paratransit Eligibility Form (Exhibit L) will he used for eligibility determination for all new applicants. All currently certified STS passengers will be required to fill out the new form. This six month period will also be a testing period for the new application form in order to see if enough information is requested to easily determine eligibility. Also, during the six month period, a survey of social service organizations and the disabled community will be conducted to help in estimating demand. Time constraints have not allowed the preparation of a survey form or determination of a mechanism to conduct the survey, but this will be accomplished during the initial six month period and the results reported. At the end of the six month period, an estimate of demand will be calculated based on the data received and needed modifications to the application form will be made. Although the City of Beaumont and BMI' plan to gather eligibility and demand data as described in the process above, several quick methods can be used to estimate what percentage of the population is ADA eligible. The first method is to use the 1978 National Survey of Transportation for Handicapped People. Although not exactly related to the categories of ADA paratransit eligibility, it suggested that approximately 2.5% of the total population could not use fixed route transportation at all or only with great difficulty. Using this as a guideline, the population of Beaumont is multiplied by 2.5% to obtain an ADA eligible population as follows: Population of 114,323 X .025 = 2,858 ADA Eligible Population A recent comprehensive survey of New York City by KETRON, Inc. estimated that 2.2% of the total population is eligible for paratransit service. The criteria used did not exactly reflect the new ADA criteria, but the types of functional disabilities used were similar. If the population of Beaumont is multiplied by 2.2%, an ADA eligible population is obtained as follows: 11 Population of 114,323 X .022 = 2,515 ADA Eligible Population Janes F. Hickling Managment Consultants, as part of the "Prelirlinary Regulatory Impact Analysis of Transportation Accessibility Requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act", calculated the following estimates: 1. Persons physical ly unable to board, ride, 0.07 or disembark from an accessible bus 2. Persons unable to use the system due to 0.99% mental or visual impairments 3. Persons unable to reach boarding locations 3.420 or destinations due to specific related conditions 4. Persons who c,-:L-mot use vehicles without lifts 0.7% to 1.0° or other accommodations (difference between estimates of the KE.'TRaq and National Survey of Transportation for Handicapped People) Adding these numbers, a total ADA eligible population is estimated to be between 2.18% and 2.480. Multiplying the population of Beaumont by these percentages yields an estimate of between 2,492 and 2,835 ADA eligible persons as follows: Population of 114,323 X .0218 = 2,492 ADA Eligible Population Population of 114,323 X .0248 = 2,835 ADA Eligible Population Using 1980 U.S. Census Bureau data, the following percentage of the Texas population reported being public transportation disabled: Age Total Population Percentage Population Transit Disabled 16-64 9,034,363 1.71 154,487 65 and over 1,312,171 16.25 213,227 TOTAL 10,346,534 3.56 367,714 Combining the two age groups, Texas residents reported that 3.56% of then were public transit disabled. Applying this 3.56% factor to the local population of Beaumont, the following estimate of ADA eligible individuals is obtained: Population of 114,323 X .356 = 4,070 ADA Eligible Population The above four methods estimate that the ADA eligible population of Beaumont ranges from a low of 2,492 to a high of 4,070. This does not necessarily represent demand because many eligible persons will not utilize public transportation. 12 Several methods of estimating what demand will "De from the estimates. numbers of ADA eligible individuals follow: The first method is to use historical ridership data of the cur en STS Program. The current number of individuals certified into the STS Program is 628. Dividing 628 into 14,983 (the total number of STS one-%. ay passenger 'trips for FY 1991) yields an average of 23.85 trips per eligible person per year. On a monthly basis, this equates to 1.99 trips per eligible person. 14,983 Annual Trips = 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Year 12 months 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passe r/Year = 1.99 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Month 12 months If between 2,492 and 4,070 will now be eligible under ADA criteria, then each of these numbers is multiplied by the average number of yearly and monthly trips per eligible person to obtain what demand might be: 2,492 ADA Eligible. Population (Lav) X 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Year = 59,434 Annual Trip Demands 2,492 ADA Eligible Population (Low) X 1.99 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Month = 4,959 Monthly Trip Demands 4,070 ADA Eligible Population (High) X 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Year = 97,069 Annual Trip Demands 4,070 ADA Eligible Population (High) X 1.99 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Month = 8,099 Monthly Trip Demands This calculation yields an anticipated demand of from between 59,434 and 97,069 passengers annually. Monthly, it ranges from 4,959 to 8,099. This represents an anticipated increase in demand of between 4 to 6.5 times what current capacity accomodates. This calculation is most probably on the high end because it assumes that all ADA eligible individuals will certify into the STS Program. Realistically, only a portion of the ADA eligible population will eventually certify into the program. A more realistic approach would be to calculate what percentage of the total ADA eligible population would actually certify into the STS Program and then use that number to compute demand. ADA eligible population is estimated to be between 2.12 % to 3.56% of the total population. It is estimated that between 0.7% and 1.0% can use public transportation equipped with lifts. This represents the percentage that is eligible to ride under the current STS Program. If the percentages of currently eligible individuals is divided into the percentages of estimated ADA eligible individuals, then the following is obtained: 13 F a 2.12% ADA Eligible = 3.03 Times _increase in Eligible Passengers (Low) 0.70% Currently Eligible 3.56% ADA Eligible = 3.56 Times Increase in Eligible Passengers (High) 100% Currently Eligible Applying these numbers to the actual number of certified individuals currently on the STS Program, then an estimate of from between 1,903 and 2,236 ADA eligible passengers would actually certify into the STS Program under the new eligibility criteria: 628 Passengers Currently Certified X 3.03 = 1903 Passengers (Low) Who A?ould Certify 628 Passengers Currently Certified X 3.56 = 2,236 Passengers (High) 6tiho Would Certify Using this range, and multiplying by the current average number of yearly trips, 23.85 per eligible passenger, the following range of annual trips is calculated: 1,903 Potential Eligible Passengers X 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Year = 45,387 Annual Trip Demands (Low) 2,236 Potential Eligible Passengers X 23.85 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Year = 53,329 Annual Trip Demands (High) Multiplying the same numbers by 1.99, the current average number of monthly trips per passenger, the following anticipated range of monthly trip demands is derived: 1,903 Potential Eligible Passengers X 1.99 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Month = 3,787 Monthly Trip Demands (Low) 2,236 Potential Eligible Passengers X 1.99 Trips/Eligible Passenger/Month = 4,450 Monthly Trip Demands (High) Therefore, trip demands would be anticipated to increase from between 3 to 3.5 times what current capacity will transport. The City of Beaumont and BW have proposed the six month data collection period in order to verify that an increase in demand of the above magnitude actually will occur. An estimate of demand based on actual data should prove to be more accurate than the methods previously outlined. This is a critical step in determining the amount of capital and operating monies needed to purchase and operate additional vehicles. 14 I Analysis of Differences Between Current/Required Service - The following section describes the major differences between the existing STS service and what is required under the new complementary paratransit service. DIFFERENCE 1 : Eligibility for the current service is only for the physically mobility impaired and the visually impaired. The new service opens up eligibility to the mentally incapacitated and to those individuals because of their impairment-related conditia^_s are not able to travel to a boarding location or from a disembarking location on the fixed bus routes. This drastically increases the paratransit eligible population and will place a much greater demand upon the system for transportation requests. DIFFERENCE 2: The new service must contain presumptive and reciprocal eligibility for visitors. The current service allows mobility impaired visitors to Beaumont to apply for service through the normal certification process unless the STS Coordinator can visually determine the visitor is unable to utilize the fixed route service. In such cases, the certification process may be waived. The visitor is then issued a fifteen day temporary pass which can be renewed upon regiest. The new service requires acceptance of a visitor's certification of ADA eligibility from another transit system as valid eligibility for the STS Program. It also requires that if a visitor has no proof of eligibility in another system, but claims to hold such certification, it must be presumed that he/she does. Service must be provided to these visitors for twenty-one days on a presumption of eligibility basis. After twenty-one days, all visitors may be required to apply through the normal certification process, but service has to be provided during the certification process. If a visitor has no proof of eligibility in another system, proof may be required that the individual is not a resident of Beaumont. If the service request is based upon a hidden impairment (e.g. , a cardiac condition), medical documentation may also be required. This change should have no significant effect on current operations. DIFFUZENCE 3: The current service allows a personal care attendant to ride free with the eligible passenger. The need for an attendant is verified by the passenger's physician at the time of eligibility certification. Guests may accompany the passenger only on a space available basis and are charged $1.00 to $1.50, depending on their age. The new service has the same rule for personal care attendants, but requires the eligible passenger may travel with one guest if he/she desires. Additional guests may accompany on a space available basis. Guests will be charged the same fare as the passenger. The new service, by requiring a guaranteed trip for one guest with each eligible passenger, could have a significant impact on capacity. Potentially up to 50% of available capacity could be occupied by non-ADA eligible passengers who are guests. DIFFERENCE 4 The service area of the current STS Program is defined as being within the City Limits of Beaumont. Eligible passengers must have their pick-up and drop-off points in this area. The new service defines service area as a corridor centered on the fixed bus routes and extending 3/4 of a mile to either side. 15 Corridors can be extended up to 1 112 miles if so desired. Any areas cort�Dletely surrounded by the above defined corridors are considered core areas and are also part of the service area. To be eligible for service, the passenger's pick-up and drop-off points must fall within these corridors and core areas. This will have several effects on current service. First, some of the cLirrently eligible passengers will not qualify for STS service because their pick-up points (residences) are outside of the newly defined service area. Secondly, scheduling will became a much more involved and time consuming process because each time a person calls, their requested pick-up and drop-off points must be checked on a map to ensure they fall within the defined service area. DIFFERENCE 5: Scheduling for the current service is conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the day before service is requested. Scheduling for Saturdays and Mondays is accomplished on Fridays. The new service requires the same day before scheduling, but stipulates that even on days the administrative offices are normally closed, such as Saturdays and Sundays, arrangements must be made to accept reservations on those days if service is provided the following day. In BMT's case, arrangea-ments would have to be made to accept trip requests on Sundays between 8:00 a.m, and 5:00 p.m. for Mondays. No service is provided on Sundays, so there would be no requirement to accept requests on Saturdays. This rule also implies that . if a holiday falls on a weekday and service is provided the following day, trip requests would also have to be accepted in the office from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on the holiday. Answering machines or answering services are allowed to be used to meet this requirement. However, as long as capacity constraints exist in the system, answering machines would not be very practical. If ten Passengers requested the same pick-up time, but all were at different locations, and current capacity only allowed five of them to be pick up, an answering machine could not notify the remaining five passengers that no more slots were available at their requested time. The five passengers that could not be accommodated would assume they were going to be picked up at their requested time. In addition, the pick-up schedules for the STS operators are prepared the day before service is required and handed out to them at 5:45 a.m, the following morning. This creates a need for an STS Scheduler to be on duty during Sundays and weekday holidays in order to schedule over the telphone and physically prepare the written schedule for the operator. Even if an STS Scheduler came in earlier than normal on Mondays and on days after weekday holidays to prepare the written schedule by taking the trip requests off of the answering machine, it would not be very practical to call individuals who had to be denied rides sometime prior to 5:45 a.m. in the morning. DIFFERENCE 6 New service regulations require that clients be able to schedule trips up to fourteen days in advance. Until capacity constraints are eliminated, or decreased to a minimal degree, requests made this far in advance will limit BMT's ability to meet needs that are more immediate. Demand on a day before basis will most Probably increase significantly under the new eligibility criteria. Also, the scheduling process will be much more complex and time consuming if STS Schedulers have to utilize fourteen different spreadsheets each day. 16 DIFFERENCE 7: Current service allows for the denial of service if capacity is full. Under the new service, there can be no denial of trips to passengers because of capacity constraints. Not only does &BFI' have to take any eligible person on the day they request, but must pick them up within an hour of their regaested time. Changes beyond an hour may be negotiated with the passenger, but he/she must agree with the changed time. `Phis particular change perhaps has the most significant impact on the orations of the STS Program. Current capacity is not enough to handle all requests from only mobility impaired individuals. The new eligibility criteria is anticipated to create a mach greater demand for transportation. DIFFERENCE 8. The new regulations define a "cormlon wheelchair" as one which does not exceed 30 inches in width, 48 inches in length measured two inches above the ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied. They can be two, three, or four-wheeled. Electric scooters and other non-traditional designs that fit within the above standards are included. If the eligible passenger has a wheelchair which does not conform to the above standards, service can be refused. Service can not be refused on the grounds that a mobility aid can not be secured if it conforms to the measurements above. DIFFERENCE 9 Current service allows for these individuals who utilize the STS service three or more times a week with their pick-up locations/times remaining constant, to be placed on Advance Reservation Service. This means they are placed permanently on the schedule and do not have to call in each day when they need a ride. BMT limits Advance Reservations, also known as subscription service, to a maximum, of 50% of capacity. This allows the other half of capacity to be utilized by call-in passengers. The new service does not require subscription service but allows it as long as it does not absorb more than 50% of capacity the subsciption service is not required, certain restrictions may.be as to trip purpose, caps on the number of trips, and other forms of capacity constraints. Subscription service saves time for STS Schedulers and is much more convenient for regular passengers. However, as long as capacity constraints exist, it does cause many call-in passengers to be denied trips that they may have received if everyone was required to call everytime service was denied. DIFF ,'2ENCE 10: Current service requires that individuals being transported in pedestal type electric scooters be transferred to a regular passenger seat in the vehicle and not travel in the scooter. This is cone because of the safety factor. Pedestals could snap or break if subjected the shifting of the individual's weight from the vehicle turning or stopping quickly. The new regulations state that passengers may be asked to transfer, but can not be required to do so. 17 DIFF"r -INCE 11 : If BlAr feels that a passenger is causing problet?is because of their behavior, an attendant can he required before transportation service is resLuHed. Tf he behavior continues, or if the safety of the other a3ssengers and driver is at risk, that individual can be denied service. Under the new regulations, attendants can not be required, only the need suggested. Also, for "violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct", service can be refused. Service can be suspended temporarily for individuals de,.)onstrating a continuous pattern of :Hissing scheduled trips or failing to cancel trips without a specified amount of advance notice. Both for denial of service and temporary suspension, an appeals process must be available to the individual concerned. For denial of service, the individual need not be provided service during the appeals process unless a decisions is not reacher) within 30 days. If this is the case, presumptive eligibility applies until a final ruling is made. For temporary suspension of service, the suspension must net begin until the appeals process is completed. In any case, the period permitted for a denied applicant to file an appeal can not be less than 60 days. DIFFFERENCE 12: The new service requires both voice and TDD telephone -access for scheduling and information. All materials to include application forms, brochures, bulletins and handbooks, must be available in accessible forrw_ts to include large print, audio tape, and. braille. These formats must be provided to individuals upon request. BMT currently awns a TDD device but the design of the current phone system does not allow practical use. Another separate phone line will most probably need to be installed with a special number which is publicized for TDD clients only. All materials can be made available in the above listed formats. The printing of material in braille seems to present the largest problem. P.n investigation into what local sources if any axe available to print braille and/or the feasiblity of purchasing.a braille printing machine will need .to be conducted. DIFFEPT 1'10E 13 The new service regulations require that an annual update to the paratransit plan be prepared and submitted by January 26 of each year to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. DIFFERRE"10E 14 Each entity suhnitting a plan must conduct a survey to identify all pa_ratransit or specialized transL�ortation services for ADA eligible individuals in the area. This includes services provided by individuals; other public entities; private, for-profit companies; and private, non-profit organizations. A survey was mailed to 60 local social service organizations and transportation providers. The results of the survey are discussed in Section VIII, Efforts to Coordinate the Provisions of Ccmplernentary Paratransit Services. 18 DIFFERENCE 15: The new regulations require that the complementary paratransit plan be developed and implemented in close cooperation and consultation with disabled persons and local disability groups and organizations. There is a requirement for TDublic participation in the development of the plan and for the establishment of an ongoing public participation process. Outreach efforts must be made to the public. The opportunity for public comment must be provided before the finalized plan is submitted. At least one public hearing is required. And finally, if the implementation period for the plan exceeds one year, then special public hearings are required. Compliance with these requirements is discussed in Section VII, Description of the Public Participation Process Used to Develop the Plan. 19 �� � --- BUS ROUTES, LEGEND - �+ ROUTE 1: MAGNOLIA ROUTE 2: PARKDALE - '\ - ROUTE 3: CALDER ROUTE 4: SOUTH ELEVENTH- \ \ ROUTE 5: PINE c-- :� ROUTE a: REFINERY ......... ROUTE T• SOUTH PARK ROUTE 8: COLLEGE 1 \ ROUTE 9: LAUREL ,� A -- ,: � c c._. -lam 2 PAR ALE k J - 1 C 1� NE �\\ SCALE: _ m _ tr --v . .. �� ` EiIENSH" -�� �• � j6 REFI E \\ - a cow ou ?/ w i EXHIBIT i Beaumont Municipal Transit 550 Milam Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 409/835-7895 January 8, 1992 Mr. John Q. Public 998 Transit Blvd. Beaumont, Texas 77706 Dear Mr. Public: Thank you for your recent application for the use of the Beaumont Municipal Transit's Special Transit Service Service (STS) . L9e are happy to inform you that your application has been approved and we are looking fon,rard to providing you the service. Enclosed is your STS Identification Card with your individual STS Passenger ID number at the top left corner. This card certifies you as ADA paratransit eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504- of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This card can be used in order to verify your eligibility in any other public transit system should you visit a different location outside the Beaumont area. Also enclosed is the STS Policies and Procedures Booklet which outlines the STS Program. Please read it thoroughly. To schedule a ride, please call 835-7895 the day before service is required. Requests are accepted beginning at 8:00 a.m, in the morning until 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. If you have any questions about the program, or desire additional information, please contact me at 835-7895. Sincerely, Albert N. Eby STS Coordinator EXHIBIT N N-1 EXHIBIT 0 BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT,: SPECIAL TRA T CES PROGR2A-M NAME ADDRES CITY STATE 7TP TELEPHO EIlGIB ND EXPIRATION DATE , 4� TRAVEL WITH PCA? YES NO � The individual named on the reverse side this card is eligible for paratransit j under the Americans with Disabilities y� Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the ':' Rehabilitation Act of �+t,� -r,'t,'�iSIGNAT[JItE GENERAL-�AG + - BEAUMONT MUIIICIPAL:TRAk SIT. j s BEAUMONT.17E3LASqq .;;'5�'TE FOR SERVICE OR INFORMATION CALL 835-7895 0-1 ,AMP Beaumont Munid I Transit ansit 550 Mifam Street Beaumont, Texas 7770! 409/835-7895 December 6, 1991 Mrs. Jane P. Doe 1130 Bus Stop Lane Beaumont, Texas 77701 Dear Mrs. Doe: Thank you for your recent application for certification into the Beaumont Munci,..al Transit's Special Transit Service (STS) . Unfortunately, your application has been denied for the following reason/reasons: If you feel that you still are eligible for certification into the STS Program, you have the right to appeal this decision. The first step in the appeals process is to submit a letter to the STS Coordinator, Beaumont Municipal Transit, 550 Milam, Beaumont, Texas 77701, within sixty (60) working days after receipt of this letter. Fully describe why you believe you are ADA paratransit eligible under the eligibility criteria in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The STS Coordinator is required to respond to your appeal within five working days of receipt. If his decision is still unacceptable, the next step in the appeal process will be explained to you in his response. Even if you do not qualify for the STS Program, you may still be eligible for a Disabled Identification Card for the fixed route bus service entitling you to a reduced fare. Please fill out the enclosed application and return it with a $1.00 processing fee. You will be notified and your casd mailed to you if approved. If you have any questions about the STS Appeals Process, or require any other information about BMI', please don't hesitate to call me at 835-7895. Sincerely, Albert N. Eby STS Coordinator EXHIBIT EXHIBIT 1 I' N '1T SYSUT2 71E AMIDRICANS WT77J DISAT31-T,TTTFS ACT (ADA) OF 19,0n Tentative Schedule for- T, A Plan Sulxni_ssion 1991 : December Transit Advisory Committee Meeting (TAC) to discuss overview of ADA and impact on current operations. December 18-20 Mail questionnaires to local providers of transportation for persons with disabilities and other social service organizations. Included are invitations to attend public hearings. December 23 Press releases distributed to local media to include radio stations and television stations announcing public hearings and encouraging public participation. December 23-27 Post notices of public hearings on buses and vans. Distribute flyers announcing public hearings to passengers on vans. 1992 January 1-2 Announcement published in the local newspaper for first public hearing. January 3 Public hearing conducted at Beaumont City Council Chambers, City Hall, 801 Main Street, at 1 :30 p.m. Questionnaires due to BMT. January 4-12 Preparation of draft plan. January 13 Draft plan published. January 14 Draft plan submitted to City Council for workshop session Draft plan also submitted to Southeast Texas Regional Planning Ccnmission (MPO)for approval. Presentation made to the Mayor's Committee on Bmployment of the Disabled. January 15 TAC meeting to approve plan. January 17 Publish announcement of second public hearing in local newspaper. January 21 City Council approval on plan in conjuction with second public hearing. January 22-23 Final corrections/changes made to plan. January 24 Plan submitted to UMTA. Q-1 ,lt � Beaumont Muni i al Transit bp Iflital Milam Street EXHIBIT R Beaumont, Texas 77701 4091835-7895 DATE: November 17, 1991 SUBJECT: ADA Paratransit Plan ` O: Social Service Organizations and Transportation Providers For the Disabled FRCM: William J. Munson, General Manager, EINiT The Beaumont Municipal Transit System (BIT) is currently in the process of developing an ADA Paratransit Plan in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to be submitted to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration no later than January 26, 1992. To assist in the development of the plan, BMT is hereby soliciting input from people with disabilities, social service organizations, transportation providers for the disabled, and the community at large. As part of the plan development process, we are required to survey our area for existing transportation services. To this end, we have developed the attached Existing Transportation Services Survey Form, We would appreciate it if you could take just a few minutes to complete the attached form. Even if your agency does not provide transportation services, we would like You to complete the portion of the survey which deals with transportation needs of your clients specifically or Beaumont citizens with disabilities in general. Please return the completed form no later than Friday, January 3, 1992. Also, on January 3, 1992, at 1:30 p.m. in the Beaumont city Council Chambers, located at 801 Main Street, a public hearing will be conducted to inform the public of the new regulations and to solicit input for development of the plan. Individual citizens as well as representatives from local social service organizations and transportation providers for the disabled are invited to attend. Our goal is to develop a transportation plan which will effectively meet the needs of persons with disabilities in our community, your input into that process will be extremely valuable. Thank you in advance for your time and effort in completing this form. William L.I. Munson General Manager R-1 i� �t�1�TT ��{{lITN^,G/� rr r 1lLV LJ I. What is your primary type of leis inks, 2• Ltilzat type, if any, of transportation service(s) does you agency provide? (if none, please skip to Question #12. ) 3. How many vehicles do you use in your transportation services? 4. How many of these vehicles have wheelchair lifts? S. How many people will your vehicles seat? Ambulatory Wheelchair 6• What is your transportation service area? City Limits of Beaumont _ Jefferson County Other-Explain 7• Is your transportation service for: General Public Persons with Disabilities _ Your Agency's Clients Only _ Other-Explain 8. Do you charge fares for your transportation service(s)? Yes No R-2 y. If you ansJr.-,re(i y��s to Qjestion lour 'dare structure? 10. Is there an income criteria for persons asi your transportation service(s)? Yes No 11. During what hours and days do you provide transportation service(s)? 12. What types of special equipment (i.e. , telecommunications displav device, braille machine, etc, ) does your agency have access to: 13. What do you consider the biggest unmet transportation need of your clients specifically or with Beaumont citizens with disabilities in general? 14. What would you like to see the Beaumont Transit System do to improve its transportation services for your clients specifically or for Beaumont citizens with disabilities in general? R-3 i 15. tV17at opportunity, if any, do you believe exists for v ur agency or coC„anv_ to coon, i_nate with the Beaumont Transit system to -Dro,,,j" � - - better transportation services for your clients saecificaily or Beaumont citizens in general? Contact Person Address Telephone # Please return to our office no later than Friday, January 3, 1992. Thank You for assistance in completing this survey form. R-4 EXHIBIT S MAILING LIST FOR SURVEY OF OTHER DISABLED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS American Heart Association American Red. Cross-Beaumont Area Agency on Aging 2360 Eastex Freeway 706 Magnolia 3501 Turtle Creek Drive Beaumont, Texas 77703 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Nederland, Texas 77627 Alzheimer's Disease Association Baptist Hospital of SE Texas Beaumont Association for Best Year's Center P.O. Drawer 1591 Senior Citizens. 780 S. 4th Street Beaumont, Texas 77704 4340 Westridge Lane Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77706 Beaumont Council for Retarded Reaumont e Associates Children � oc es Beaumont Living Center 3129 College 3755 Corley P.O. Box 3744 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77704 American Cancer Society Beaumont Medical-Surgical Beaumont Neurological Hospi w' 3560 Delaware Hospital P.O. Box 96 P.O. Box 5144 P.O. Box 5817 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Beaumont, Texas 77726-5144 Beaumont, Texas 77706 Beaumont Senior Citizens Beaumont State Center for Best Years Senior Adult Housing, Inc. Human Development Activity Center 4340 Westridge Lane P.O. Box 3846 780 S. 4th Street Beaumont, Texas 77706 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Canterbury Villa Cerebral Palsy Foundation Clairmont P.O. Box 749 855 S. 8th Street 1020 S. 23rd Beaumont, Texas 77707 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77707 College Street Nursing Center Life Resource 4150 College Fairway Houses, Inc. MHMR of Southeast Texas 1078 McFaddin Beaumont, Texas 77707 2750 S. 8th Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77701 S-1 Family Services Association Golr�F�ii ,�'ri �,ie I of Coo; ,, ,,,,� hoes-Parkdale 447 Orleans 102 R au[nont, 'D?zas 77701. i'r?r���rn<)?:`., a-aS 77707> >_]iil :!� Ie0 c��d Texas 77 Ila[nilton Nursing Horne Hotel Hr�, u;r�>nt i!cii'sing .Authority-Ci-v 2660 Brickyard 625 Orleans Pnaulr.ont Beaumont, Texas 77703 I3� umor,t s 7770 I�ua 1312 eauncnt, Texas 777/0-' Jefferson County Health Jefferson County Veterans Land. Manor, Inc. and Welfare Service OfFice P.O. Box 3508 1295 Pearl 1149 Pearl PQaumont, Texas 7770' Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, `texas 77701 Lindbergh Health Care Center March of Dimes-Beaumont Mental Health Association 795 Lindbergh Drive 2263 North Street of Jefferson county Beaumont, Texas 77707 Beaumont, Texas 77701=1552 447 Orleans, Suite 1118 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Muscular Dystrophy Association My Wish, Inc. Nutrition & Services fcr 1495 N. 7th Street P.O. Box 785 2575 Wilson Beaumont, Texas 77702 Beaumont, Texas 77631-0785 Beaumont, Texas 77703 Quality Care, Inc. Region V Education Service Ridgewood 85 Interstate 10 North ##207 Center 2520 Interstate 10 East' Beaumont, 'Texas 77707 2295 Delaware Street Beaumont, Texas 77703 Beaumont, Texas 77703-4299 Rischer & caTp<any Southeast Texas Council for Sabine Oaks Home 3305 Avenue A the Hearing Impaired 1945 Pennsylvania Beaumont, Texas 77705 P.O. Box 1748 Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Salvation Army-Beaumont Schlesinger Geriatric Center Shaffer Hearing & Speech Cen_:e, P.O. Box 3702 P.O. Box 1990 2625 Laurel Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Beaumont, Texas 77702 St. Elizabeth Hospital Stat Care/Beaumont Family Stewart's Halfway House P.O. Box 5405 Practice 1395 Avenue D Beaumont, Texas 77706 490 Interstate 10 North Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77702 Texas Ca-zmission for the Blind Texas Department of Human Texas Department of Health, 3515 Fannin, Suite 103 Services Long Term Care Beaumont, Texas 77701 285 Liberty 4605 Concord Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beau,-ront, Texas 77703 Texas Rehabilition Cormission Texas Society to Prevent Veteran's Administration 5550 Eastex Freeway, Suite D Blindness 3385 Fannin Beaumont, Texas 77708 3129 College Beaumont, Texas 77701 Beaumont, Texas 77701 S-2 Golden Triangle Dialysis Ca''munity Biot.ronics I<idney Cent��_ 3232 Col:,lge 36£30 �s>7 i�.,,,. 268�o C<�1�, '„ `TLxas 77701 ✓.-'�'UCF'��l �i": -�; /!!1 a —r Southeast Texas Rehabilitation Seville Agar :ne•r,ts Raintree Tower A�rtlTe:`'-' I Hospital 4325 Crow Roa 3030 French Road 3340 Plaza 10 Blvd. Beaumont Tle:x rs 77706 x�au:Tx�nt, Texas 77706 Beaumont, Texas 77707 s-3 EXHIBIT T ARE YOU ADA Am 192MV&I A% Ampolqft PARATr=t' MAN IT ELIGI Wall tjLE ? HOW DOES THE NEW LAW AFFECT AT/ ME *? Ou Ttvo public hearings on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be held at the following location and times: Cite Council Chambers Ci_v Fall, 801 Main St. City Council Chambers January 3, 1992 City Hall, 801 Main St. 1:30 p.m. January 21, 1992 1:30 p.m. The first meeting will be to familiarize the public, other disabled Providers, and social service organizations with the transportation new laci and how it will impact the Beaumont requirements of the to t stem. It will also give the above gut grout's opportunity Plan' The participate in the development process of a new paratransit second meeting will be held after publication of the plan and will allow comments to be made before ap -Id fi_nal su proval by the Beaumont City Council b fission to the Urban mass Transportation Administration. If YOU are unable to attend these meetings, written tents may be mailed to: William J. Munson, General Eger Beaumont Nhuzicipal Transit System 550 Milam°Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 For additional information call 835-7895. T-1 i LIST OF LOCAL Televison Stations K,JAC Channel 4 - Port Arthur KBMT Channel 6 - Beaumont KFDM Channel 12 - Beaumont Radio Stations KAYD/KAYC KKMY KLVI KTXB KWIC KYKR Newspaper Beaumont Enterprise EXHIBIT U U-1 ii s r PRESS RF.LEILSH DATE: December 23, 1991 SUBJECT: ADA Paratransit Plan TO: Local News Media FRS4: William J. Munson, General Manager, BMT The Beaumont Municipal Transit Systaml (BMT) is currently in the process of preparing a new paratransit plan in order to comply wif1 the A-nericans with with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed recently by Congress. Paratransit service is currently being provided to disabled/elderly citizens of Beaumont through the Special Transit Service (STS) Program. The ADA requires that a new plan be developed and submitted to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration no later than January 26, 1992. It also requires that input be solicited from the public, social service organizations, and other providers of disabled transportation to give them an opportunity to participate in the development of the new plan. In order to accomplish this, two public hearings will be conducted on the subject at the below listed locations/times: City Council Chambers City Council Chambers City Hall, 801 Main St. City Hall, 801 Main St. January 3, 1992 January 21, 1992 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. The first public hearing will be primarily for educating the public on the requirements of ADA and to accept caments/recommendations by any individual or organization. The second public hearing will be conducted after publication of the plan in order to accept oaoments. Information on the pLLblic hearings on the impact of ADA on the operation of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System's STS Program may be obtained by calling the EMT office at 835-7895. U-2 Ii Are You AD.A, Paratransit Eligible? How Can BMT Better Serve You? Notice of ADA Paratransit Plan Meeting The Beaumont Municipal Transit System (BMT) will develop an ADA Paratransit Plan in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - to be submitted to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration no later than January 26, 1992. To assist in the development of the plan, BMT is hereby soliciting input from people with disabilities, social service organizations, transportation providers for the disabled, and the community at large. Eligibility criteria and general requirements under the ADA will be discussed. A public hearing will be held: Friday, January 3, 1992 1:30 p.m. Beaumont City Council Chambers City Hall, 801 Main Street Transportation for the disabled can be arranged by calling the BMT office at 835-7895. An interpreter will be available to sign for the deaf. Persons who are unable to attend this meeting, but who would like information on the plan development process should call the BMT office at 835-7895. Written comments may be forwarded to: William J. Munson, General Manager ..�. i Beaumont Municipal Transit System j 550 Milani Street j Beaumont, Texas 77701 Bffif 7W EXHIBIT V V-1 Are You ADA Paratrausit Eligible? j How Can BMT Better Serve You? Notice of Paratransit Plan Meeting The Beaumont Municipal Transit System (BMT) will develop an ADA Paratransit Plan in compliance with the Americans Nvith Disabilities Act to be submitted to the Urban Mass Transportation Administration no later than January 26, 1992. To assist in the development of the plan, BMT is hereby soliciting input from people with disabilities, social service organizations, transportation providers for the disabled, and the community at large. Copies of the proposed plan are available from the BMT office located at 550 Milam. Comments on the plan Nvill be accepted at a public hearing to be held: Tuesday, January 21, 1992 1:30 p.m. Beaumont City Council Chambers City Hall, 801 Main Street. Transportation for the disabled can be arranged by calling the BMT office at 835-7895. An interpreter will be available to sign for the deaf. Persons who are unable to attend this meeting, but who would like information on the plan development process should call the BMT office at 835-7895. Written comments may be forwarded to: William J. Munson, General Manager Beaumont Municipal Transit System 550 Milam Street 1 Beaumont, Texas 77701 I V-2 i Name Agency Address Sharon Covy Cerebal Palsey Center 855 S. 8th Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Cindy Spangler Beaumont State Center 655 S. 8th Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Dale Buehrle Project HIRE 655 S. 8th Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Jim Cline Transportation City Hall Todd Freeland Mayor's Committee for Rt. 7, Box 241, Employment of Disabled Beaumont, Texas 77713 Margaret Harrison City of Beaumont P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, Texas 77704 Samuel L. Bean NAACP and Mayor's 5835 Honeysuckle Committee Beaumont, Texas 77706 Mamie Ellis 855 Madison Beaumont, Texas 7.7705 R.C. Andrews 7630 San Carlos Beaumont, Texas 77708 H.A. Baxter PVA/Mayor's CTmittee 1995 Kingsley Beaumont, Texas 77705 Kay Broussard Beaumont Interpreter for 5480 Bettes the Deaf Beaumont, Texas 77706 W-1 Description of How Pro22sed Paratransit Service Will Meet Each of the Six Service Criteria - The six service criteria are providing complementary Paratransit service in the same service area as the fixed route system; having a comparable response time to fixed route service; having comparable fares; having comparable days and hours of service; meeting requests for any trip p=pose; and, not limiting service availability due to capacity constraints. The City proposes to define the service area of the STS Program to be a corridor 3/4 mile to either side of existing fixed bus service routes to include those core areas that are completely enclosed by this corridor. This definition =m. lies with what is required under the new ADA regulations and is considered to be the area serviced by the fixed route bus service. Exhibit M depicts this proposed service area. All pick-ups and drop-offs of eligible STS passengers would have to be in this defined area. It may be noted that the regulation does state that the corridors may be extended to 1 1/2 miles to either side of existing fixed bus routes through the public participation process. With higher demand, which will no doubt increase with the broader eligibility criteria, the City feels that the 3/4 mile definition is the most practical and feasible. Service could be continued within the existing service area of the City Limits of Beaumont, but if the City ever decides to submit a Statement of Undue Financial Burden, any costs associated with providing service outside the required area of 3/4 of a mile could not be included. Although no plans exist at this time to submit such a waiver, the City reserves the right to do so if -future financial constraints prevent compliance within the five year period. Response time will continue to be "next day service". Requests for trips will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the initial six month data collecting period, as described under the section titled Demand Estimate, experLmentation will be conducted with a telephone answering machine, call-forwarding, and other methods to accept requests for rides on days the BMT office is closed prior to service being provided the next day. If it is found that one of tees methods work satisfactorily, then it will be permanently implemented no later than October 1, 1992. If it is found that none of these methods works satisfactorily, then a proposal will be submitted to the City for the funds to hire an additional employee for the FY 1993 budget year beginning October 1, 1992. The fourteen day advance trip request requirement will not be implemented, until capacity constraints are eliminated or reach a minimal point. This will be evaluated on a yearly basis to determine if implementation is feasible. Investigation into the purchase of computer software to assist in scheduling will be explored in the initial six month period. Pick-up times will be scheduled at the time passengers request when at all possible. The goal of scheduling will be to provide service within one hour of the requested time as required under the provision of comparable response time. Realistically, until capacity constraints are eliminated, this will not be possible for all requested trips. The current one-way fare for STS service is exactly twice the full fare on the fixed route service. The new regulation allows the Paratransit fare to be no more than twice the full fare for a comparable trip made on the fixed route service by a non-disabled person. Technically, if a transfer would be involved in riding the fixed route service, the fare would be $.60, thus allowing $1.20 20 to be charged for the same trip on the STS service. The City proposes that the one-way fare on STS remain $1 .00. Any future fare increases on the fixed route service could generate increases in the STS fare based on the twice full fare concept. The regulation does allow full-cost rates or other higher rates of reimbursement when transporting clients of human service agencies. This is nor- proposed at the current time but is suggested as an option if financial constraints become a problem. The current STS service transports many clients of local human service agencies. All requests for transportation, regardless of trip purpose, are currently scheduled as capacity allows. This practice will continue. it is proposed that the current practice of subscription service, known as Advance Reservation Service, also continue. No more than 50% of total available capacity will be used for the subscription service. The use of the Advance Reservation Service will be evaluated on a yearly basis as to its effect on the overall system. The hours and days of service for the current STS service are exactly the same as the ones for the fixed route service with the exception of Saturdays. Weekday fixed route and STS service are provided from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday STS service is provided from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. also, while fixed route service only operates from 7:30 a.m, to 6:30 p.m. It is proposed that they remain as they are and if for any reason in the future, fixed route hours/days are expanded, then STS service hours/days will be expanded accordingly. Capacity constraints currently exist in the STS Program. Trip denials are frequently on a daily basis. With the anticipated increase in demand brought on by the broader eligibilty criteria, trip denials will probably increase even more if capacity remains at current levels. Obviously, the only solution will be to eventually purchase more vehicles, hire more operators, and expand the STS Program to a degree that capacity constraints are eliminated. The City proposes to conduct the previously described six month data collection period. Using that data, demand will be calculated and plans developed to accommodate the load. Depending upon what the costs will be to purchase and operate the needed. number of additional vehicles, some or all of them could be purchased under the .FY 1993 budget. Most probably, -vehicle purchases will be spread out over a period of several years. The Beaumont City Council will be presented with the results of the six month data collection period along with a recommendation on how many vehicles to purchase and what the associated costs will be to operate the additional vehicles. This will be accomplished prior to October 1 , 1992. Capacity constraint will continue to be evaluated on a yearly basis with recommendations made to the City Council as needed. Therefore, this plan contains no specific numbers of vehicles to be purchased, nor does it contain dates planned to purchase the vehicles. This information will be provided in detail on the plan update due on January 26, 1993. Beaumont Transit is already three months into the current fiscal year and allocation of any additional capital or operating funds prior to the next fiscal year is highly unrealistic. 21 Transportation of ADA Eligible Passenqers Requesting Pick-Up or Drop-off Points Outside the Service Area - The Transit Advisory Committee recommended irrplpm.enti :�- a system to continue transporting ADA eligible individuals on a space available basis who request pick-up or drop-off points outside the newly defined service area. The City proposes that after the initial six month data collection -�riod is concluded, individuals falling into this category will be able to schedule= rides between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. the day before service is needed. if slots are available, these individuals will be given rides. The pick-up/drop-off poin-s will have to be within the City Limits of Beaumont. This procedure will give the current clients of the STS Program who now use the service for pick-ups at their residences, which are located out of the new service area, an opporL- ity to receive transportation. This will not be implemented until the new service area is enforced in October of 1992. Training for Operators - Section 37.173 of the new regulations require that each "public or private entity which operates a fixed route or demand responsive system shall ensure that personnel are trained to proficiency, as appropriate to their duties, so that they operate vehicles and equipment safely and properly and treat individuals with disabilities who use the service in a respectful and courteous way, with appropriate attention to the difference among individuals with disablities. " All operators receive mandatory training in Passenger Relations, Emergency and Accident Handling Procedures, and Bus ?,4aneuvering and Defensive Driving. In addition, those operators driving the STS vans and fixed route accessible buses receive special sensitivity training known as Passenger Assistance Techniques. In this course they learn to identify the various types of disabilities, the use and functions of the many types of mobility aids, and the special needs of individuals with specific disabilities or using a certain kind of mobility aid. The course also teaches the proper transport of persons in wheelchairs, tie-down and securement procedures, passenger transfer procedures, and how to assist the disabled with walkers, braces, prosthesis devices, and other types of aids. All drivers receive training on the proper operation of lifts to include the use of lifts in the manual mode if pacer is lost. BMT maintains certified instructors for each of the above listed training courses on it's staff. Training is an on-going process with regular update sessions and special programs presented by outside organizations. In the past, these special trainings have included the Operation Lifesaver Program taught by a representative from the railroad industry, Awareness Training of the Blind taught by a representative from the CcMission on the Blind, Fire Prevention and Safety taught by the Beaumont Fire Department, and Substance Abuse Training by Baptist Hospital. The training program at BMr will continue to be structured in a manner as to provide proficient, safety-minded, professional, and courteous operators. Maintenance Pr am - BMT has a rigorous maintenance program designed to ensure that safe and reliable vehicles are operated on the street. Maintenance employees all receive extensive training in the operations, repair, and trouble shooting of access-related features including lifts , securement systems, signage, and ccm-ananications systems. Factory representatives from the manufacturers of the various vehicles and vehicle components train the BMT mechanics on-site with, classroom and hands-on instruction. Initial training is supplemented on a regular basis. In addition, maintenance personnel receive the same special training programs mentioned above for operators. 22 l i A preventive maintenance program is in place which requires thorough inspections of each vehicle at regular intervals. Operators are required to perform a daily operational check of their assigned vehicle prior to leaving the garage. They test and check securement devices and the operation of lifts. Any defects are reported to the maintenance department by the operator. These defects are correct on the spot or as soon as possible. Priority, is given to the repair of accessibly vehicles. Needed repair parts are ordered and shipped by next day air express if not able to be procurred locally. B14T is committed to continue the aggressive maintenance program currently in place. Administrative Staff - The administrative staff of BMF to include the STS Coordinator, Dispatcher, and STS Schedulers will be thoroughly trained in all aspects of the new ADA paratransit regulations. The revised operating procedures and modifications to the existing service will be taught. The administrative staff has received sensitivity training to understand the limited capacities and special needs of disabled individuals. Regular up-dates to their training will be conducted. In addition, the staff members will be trained in the proper use of the TDD telephone device, answering machines, and any other devices which will be put in use to implement the new scheduling system. Tentative Timetable of Milestones - The following tentatively planned timetable of milestones is scheduled to he implemented during the first year. As discussed earlier, recommendations to secure additional vehicles and personnel will not be made to the City until after the completion of the °six month data collection period. Therefore, it is unrealistic to include any planned phase-in milestones past the one year mark. Capital and operating expenses for the next five years can not be projected until a plan is recommended and approved for the funding of additional vehicles, equipment, and personnel. The first annual plan update due January 26, 1993 will contain the remaining four year Lmolementation timetable and a projection of capital and operating budgets needed to fund it. 23 T—N ATIVE TIMETABLE Or MILESTONES January 26, 1992: • Implement ADA elegibility determination process using new application fern, ID card, and advanced reservation application form for new applicants. • Begin six month data collection period to detern4.ne demand, • Lnplement reciprocal and presumptive eligibility guidelines. • Implement required guest policy. • Begin recertification process for current clients using new eligibility standares and new documentation. • Implement new appeals process. • Implement personal care attendant policy. • Implement new denial of service/temporary suspension policy. • Begin making STS documentation available in accessible formats as soon as possible. March 1992• • Completed purchase of telephone answering machine. • Begin experimentation with answering machine, answering service, or other methods of scheduling on days the office is closed. • Completed installation of separate telephone line for TDD device. • Publish and distribute TDD number. • Investigate purchasing cemputer scheduling software. • Begin analysis of fixed route service to include improving accessiblity of vehicles and bus stop locations. April 1992: o Conduct survey of disabled ccrlwmity and organizations which serve the disabled in order to help estimate demand. 24 I May 1992: o Deadline for having all STS do=entation in accessible fcrnats. July 1992: • Analyze data collected during previous six month period. to derive demand. • Prepare report to City Council on results of six month study period and make recommendations for compliance with capacity constraints. • Consult with public, 'LAC, Mayor's Committee, MPO, and other agencies on results of study period. • Analyze results of experimentation with various methods used to schedule on days the office is closed and make recommendations on which method to implement. • Make recommendations on improving accessibility of fixed route system. • Submission of FY 1993 Budget with service improvements as approved by City Council. August 1992: o Begin scheduling using 3/4 mile corridor for defining service area. o Notify all current clients of new service area and cessation of service to those who will not be eligible. October 1992• o Implement a permenant system for scheduling during days office is closed. o Implement a space available system for ADA' eligible persons with pick-ups/drop- off points outside the defined service area. November-December 1992: o Prepare annual plan update. o Conduct public hearing and continue ongoing public participation process. 25 SECTION VI - DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ELIGIBILITY DEI'ERDUNATION PROCESS Availability of Application Materials and Information in Accessible For rnats- BMI will have available the STS Application of in of AAA Paratransit Eligibility Form in large print, audio tape, arid braille. be made to have the application form in these three formatsAas soon efforts will after January 26, 1992, but no later than May 1 1992. ,ls Possible STS Policies and Procedures Booklet (Exhibit D) �and the Special o by this date, the Brochure (Exhibit E) will have been revised to reflect the changes indices in this plan. These two documents will be available in large print, audio tape, and braille formats. The revised STS Application for Certification of ADA Para- transit Eligibility Form (Exhibit L) will be available in regular format for use beginning January 26, 1992. Description of the Determination Process - To determine eligibility, Application for certification of ADA Paratransitt Eligibiliy Form must be completed by both the applicant and physician or other authorized health care professional. The physician or authorized health care professional must answer the estins regarding the applicants disability and verify that the disabilit questions use of the fixed route bus service. The physician's (or other authorizedthealth care professional) verification will be the primary means for determining eligibility. Once the form is submitted, it will be reviewed by the STS Coordinator. The STS Coordinator will approve or deny the application. If approved, the applicant will be notified in writing of his/her acceptance into the STS Program acceptance letter is attached at Exhibit N. Along with the acceptance.letter,ple the newly certified passenger will be sent a BMI' Special Transit Services Policies and Procedures Booklet which outlines the program, and also an STS Passenger Identification Card which certifies the passenger is ADA and is enrolled in the program (Exhibit O e $1.00 fee eligible the ID Card. ) • There will be $1.00 fee for processing If the application is denied, the applicant will also be notified in writing of the decision and what his/her first step in appeals process would be if they should choose to do so. Timetable for Processing Applications - Applications will be processed for approval wlth�,-r an of ten days from time of receipt. Eligibility will be valid for a five year period unless a shorter period is deemed appropriate due to a temporary disability. Individuals with temporary eligibility status for a period of time as disabilities will be given physican or authorized health care pacified by the applicant's ifying Coordinator. professional and/or approved by the STS S Visitor Poli /Reci rocal and Pres tive Eli ibilit - Reciprocal and presumptive eligibility will apply to those visitors to Beaumont seeking to use the STS service. Any visitor who can produce documentation from another transit (ID card, letter, etc. ) which certifies them as being ADA system will be allowed to use the STS service for up to 21 days. At the initial eligible presentation of the visitor's certification documentation, they will be asked how long they will require service. If it will be for more will be given an STS application form and be r than 21 dugs, they normal certification required to Process through the for only up to 21 days sun�unless ethey turn a completedreciprocal pplications form. 26 l If a visitor claims to be ADA paratransit eligible, but can produce no documentation from another transit system, then he/she will be presumed eligible for service up to a 21 day period. Proof will be required that the individual is not a local resident, and if the impairment is hidden (e.a. , a cardiac condition) medical documentation will be required to validate eligibility. Again, at the initial time of service request, the indivival will be asked for how long service is required. If for longer than 21 days, they will be given an STS application form and be required to process through the normal certification. procedures. Documentation Provided to Persons Determined to be ADA Paratransit Eligible- An STS Passenger Identification Care (Exhibit O) will be issued to every applicant who is approved for the STS Program and determinined to be ADA paratransit eligible. The front side of the card will list the eligible individual's name and address, the need for a personal care attendant, any conditions or limitations on eligibility, and an individually issued STS passenger number. The back of the card will have a statement certifying the card holder's eligibility, the signature of the authorized BMT representative, name and location of the transit system, and the telephone number of the STS Coordinator. The card will be green in color and laminated for durability and protection. Administrative Appeals/Complaint Process - Any individual who applies for STS service and is denied eligibility, or for any reason wishes to express a complaint about the program, may take the following steps: ` 1. A letter to the STS Coordinator requesting an appeal or describing the complaint within sixty (60) days of the occurrence, will initiate action. The STS Coordinator will respond to the appeal within five (5) working days of receipt of the letter. 2. If the individual is not satisfied, then a letter may be sent to the BMI' General Manager within ten (10) working days of the STS Coordinator's final response. The General Manager will respond to the appeal or complaint within five (5) working days of receipt of the letter. 3. If the individual is not satisfied, a letter may be sent to the City of Beaumont's Director of Public Works within ten (10) days of the General Manager's final response. The Director of Public Works will respond to the complaint within five (5) working days of the receipt of the letter. His decision is final. This appeal procedure is not applicable to policy or other matters which rest with the Beaumont City Council. Although a written intent to appeal is required, the appealing individual has the right to appear in person during any or all of the appeals process steps, and to have any necessary support, such as a sign language interpreter. 27 ii No service will be provided from the time of denial until the appeals process is completed, unless the appeals hearing (from the time of the initial written intent until the final decision is rendered) takes more than thirty (30) days. In this case, presumptive eligibility applies from the thirty-first day until a final decision is rendered. Certain circumstances, other than denial of the initial eligibility application, will cause a passenger to be denied STS service. A passenger whose behavior threatens or has threatened the safety of paratransit operators, paratransit staff, or other paratransit passengers will be denied service. Whether or not the service denial will be only a suspension for a specified length of time, or permenant loss, will depend on the nature of the behavior. Passengers who fail to cancel their scheduled trips at least one hour prior to their scheduled pick-up time three or more times in a 30 day period, and/or who miss their scheduled pickups three or more times in a 30 day period, will be issued a two week temporary suspension of service. Denials for both missing or failing to cancel scheduled trips, and for violent or threatening behavior, may be appealed through the above process. Temporary suspensions for individuals missing their scheduled pick-ups may not be administered until the appeals process is completed. 28 i� SECTION VII - DESCP,IPTION OF T11E PUBLIC I-PARTICIPATION PRCCESS USED TO DEVELOP THE PLAN The public participation process was started on December 4, 1991 by << etinr ;-pith the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) . The TAC is a seven me_�er commnittee appointed by the Beaumont City Council that meets on a regular basis and deals with with transit policy matters. Copies of the ADA Paratransit Handbook had been mailed earlier to all members giving them an opportunity to read the new requirements for complex ntary paratransit service. A discussion was held on the changes that would be needed to the current system in order to comply with the new regulations. The only major c=ent from the TAC members was that the service area, as defined under the new regulations, would deny service to passengers currently being serviced by the STS Program, particulars: those in the nortlTaest and far west sections of Beaumont. They seemed to feel that some type of system to allow for the space available transporter tion of these individu�1s should be included in the plan. As required, a survey of existing paratransit or specialized transportation services for ADA paratransit eligible individuals in the area was conducted. The cover letter and survey form used is attached as Exhibit R. These were mailed to disabled transportation providers, social service agencies, and hospitals in the Beaumont area on Decemoer 18, 1991. A mailing list is attached as Exhibit S. Out of 'the sixty mailings, only twenty-three responses were received as of January 9, 1992. From these responses, the list at Exhibit K was compiled. The cover letter mailed out with the survey form invited representatives from those agencies and organizations to attend the public hearing held on January 3, 1992. The week of December 23-27, 1991, flyers were posted on all revenue vehicles and handed out to passengers riding the STS vehicles announcing public hearings to be held on January 3 and 21, 1992. Exhibit T is a sample flyer. A press release was sent to local television stations, radio stations, and the local newspaper. A copy of the press release and list of media organizations notified is included at Exhibit U. A notice was published in the Beaumont Enterprise on January 1 and 2, 1992, announcinc the first public hearing. Exhibit V is a copy of the public hearing notice used. The initial public hearing was held in the Beaumont City Council Chambers, 801 Main Street, at 1:30 p.m. on January 3, 1992. Eleven individuals along with representatives from two television stations and two radio stations attended. A list of attendees is included as Exhibit W. The primary purpose of the initial meeting was to educate the disabled public and the agencies which serve these disabled individuals on the paratransit requirements under ADA. Many questions were asked about the new regulations. The opportunity for any of the attendees to make comments on the development of the plan was allowed at the end of the meeting. No one chose to came forward and specifically comment on the paratransit plan. One ecmTent was made in reference to the fixed route system regarding the accessibility of bus stops. 29 ii He was concerned about the new law which states that barriers -hich do not allow wheelchair bound individuals to physically travel to a bus stop (e.g. , curb cuts) do not by themselves make the person ADA eligible. He asked consideration in raking fixed route bus stops in Beaumont accessible to wheelchairs. The question of accessibility to the Parkdale Mall fixed route bus stop was also discussed. Due to time constraints in order to meet the submission deadlines of this plan, the following described portion of the public participation process will be accomplished after publication of the draft plan. Therefore, what follows are the events which are planned to occur prior to the submission of the final plan. The draft plan will be published by January 13, 1992 and will be made available for public inspection. On January 14, 1992, the Beaumont City Council will be given • copy of the draft plan to review in a workshop session. Also, on the same day, • copy will be submitted to the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (MPO) for review and approval.. Additionally, the Beaumont Mayor's Committee on Employment for the Disabled will be given a presentation on the draft plan. The Transit Advisory Committee will meet on January 15, 1992 to approve the draft plan. A notice of the second public hearing will be published in the Beaumont Enterprise on January 17, 1992. The hearing will be held at the regular session of the Beaumont City Council on January 21, 1992 at 1:30 p.m. The public will be given the opportunity to make final comments on the draft plan to the City Council. The Council will direct any changes to be made if needed. The finalized copy of the plan will IDe submitted to =A no later than January 26, 1992. Any significant issues raised at the hearing during the public comment period, along with a discussion of how they were resolved; will be attached to the final plan as Exhibit X. Compliance with the new regulations will take BMT more than one year to accomplish. Prior to each annual update to the plan, a special public hearing will be conducted to allow the disabled public and disability groups to remain involved with the planning, implementation, assessment, and revision of paratransit service plans. The Transit Advisory Cammittee, Mayor's Committee on Employment of the Disabled, Beaumont City Council, and MPO, along with local human service organizations, will continually be updated on progress and be involved in the on-going consultative process. Public hearings will be conducted more often than annually if major milestones will be implemented. 30 ii SECTION VIII - EF'FORT'S TO COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF THE COMPLIMF"v'TARY PAR.ATRANSIT SERVICE WITH CjjjI :R PUBLIC ENTITIES IN THE AREA As listed at Exhibit K, only seven other providers of specialized transportation for the disabled exist in the Beaumont area. All of these providers, ',ehich are private, county, or state organizations, transport only their 0,,an clients. In the case of one, eligibility is open to the general public, but the service arovides transportation for the indigent to John Sealy Hospital in Galveston only. None of these agencies offer any opportunity to coordinate paratransit services with BMT. The Area Agency on Aging, part of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, is in the process of setting up a Section 18 Rural Transportation Program for a several county wide area. This is not in place currently, but still probably would not provide much of an opportunity if any for coordinating paratransit service in BMT's service area. This rural system would be transporting individuals from areas outside the BMT service area into Beaumont or other urbanized area BMP will keep the channels open between itself and the Area Agency on the Aging. Any opportunities which may arise once this rural system is in operation will certainly be considered. 31 ii SECTION IX - CERTIFICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND RECO,"rv=ATIONS The following certifications, resolutions, and recommendations are attached as required for the submission of the ADA Paratransit Plan. 32 RESQUMON ALMIORIZING THE PLAN This is to certify that the members of the Beaumont Citv Council approve, a:; adopted, at a meeting on January 21, 1992, the attached ALA pa.ratransi` o1�-_n. (signature) Ray A. Rilev (name of authorizes individual) City Mariager, City of Beaumont (title) (date) 33 ii TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE R MDATION FOR ADA PLAN APROVAL This is to certify that the members of the Beaumont Transit Advisory Committee unanimously adopted and recommended for approval to the .Beaumont City Council the attached ADA paratransit plan. The plan, known as the Beaumont rl nicipal Transit Special Transit Services Program, was approved for recommendation at a meeting January 15, 1992. (signature) Dr. Bert Dubose (name of authorized individual) Chairman, Transit Advisory Committee (title) January 15, 1992 (date) 34 i! MPO CEER=C ATIC N OF PARATRANSIT PLAN The Southeast Texas Regional Planning Camission hereby certifies that it has reviewed the ADA paratransit plan prepared by the City of Reaumont/Beaumont Municipal Transit as required under 49 CFR 37.139(h) and finds it to be in conformance with the transportation plan developed under 49 CFR part 613 and 23 CFR part 450 (the UMTA/FHWA joint planning regulation) . This certification is valid for one year. (signature) (name of authorized official) (title) (date) 35 ii EXISTING PARATRANSIT SERVICE SURVEY This is to certify that the City of Beaumont/Beaumont Municipal Transit has conducted a survey of existing paratransit services as required by 49 CFR 37.137 (a) . (signature) Ray A. Riley (name of authorized official) City Manager, City of Beaumont (title) (date) 36 EXHIBITS TO ADA PARATRANSIT PLAN SYS= ROUTE MAP AND SCHEDULES I I � � I I I I � I i 1 2 i 1 i I � , Page P�-3 Page A-4 I I , I I ; L I , ----------------------i-------------------------� I I 9 I i I I 3 4 I , Page A-S i Page A-6 I I I , 1 I I I I I i I I I s s -----------------------� Pages A-3 through A-6 are quarter sections of the complete route map. All nine routes are included and the sections fit together as shown above. EXH IBIT A ._�_ �. - _ . -...... .. _ ... . . . A-1 r t•7:' 4 i st"y ,, w3 � • .. • � �;- �.—. s�••�••.+�'�•'�•~.�,i�"•��tlM _`cam w i. X� � • • tea.•"-_'f t �y � '�-� 3_ �i ray y L-it MA AV CH mig _ • � -.•T.xs�ggqqqq _- g� r R� G 0 Y 2 m W Z ti MAIDA c yc O,fl O , w d�c TARGET NORTH W 2 PARKDALE AUTO PARK > LUCAS o PARKDAL a P MALI a WI .1 A F Z z FOLSOM GQ� w Lu�uj ARTHUR w w ` N V I Z y O F r DELAWARE `C'L DELAWARE �J y ti vI d N rOCC a AD GLAors J G GI AYLYNN A E El Ys SHOPPING o r CENTER _ > , w �o g WESTGATE " 3 CALDER A w cr ~ o A U OAIST EER'Y S Q, �' LAUREL Z6 N GP�Q� W t SO w O i 1 = W O - /� c CA o R a GATEWAY �* SOUS SH ELEVEN A. "' CENTER 'i APA4 1 ROUTE LEGEND Rout(: 1 Magnolia �.. Route 2: Parkdale Route 3: Calder Route 4: South Eleventh Route 5: Pine Route 6: Refinery ®® Route 7: South Park �` ®® College Route 8: ..ge Route 9: Laurel SYMBOLS ` -4 Direction of Travel oil Intermittent Service ` 1 School .5 + Medical Facility IF 0 Time Point LUCAS LUCAS O >r r ¢ TRINIDAD WI LASA 5 PINE �. f °iP o f J F W HALE �w ARTHURw v 3 -K n LEIGHT DELAWARE F�G,, Z TOCC� L !r •10 EAST GLADYS GLAOYS ,ac t N GAYLYNN I A E ' SHOPPING CENTER >` Z j Lill. = N _ ; W = Ir W W _ N t CA LIBERTY - C/ ly !� LAUREL '4l S Z SOU HALL J W CE GATEWAY 4 SOUTH 8 INP SHOPPIN CENTER El.L.:OtENT MMETT A-4 'A Y 01 1 III ow I I FI DELAWARE I F!f` E n n � Fti � OEL AWARE Y � Toc(:o � L J GLi DYS i GLADYkS J 0 GAYLYNN A �EY SHOPPING SCENTER t. 0 3 WESTGATE CALDER n N p Z � 4 LLI 0 A a P DAISY LIBERTY 0 x ° LAURE 3 P GP III o W E � = J O _ W �aCD R o U < GATEWAY 4 S01 w S HOPPIN ELEVE CENTER STAGG OLLEGE MILAM Mil c. w W = o Y c� Z K) Z J N U- J _ TS v = N .. _.per... ".�,�'�".wii4� � � �i.. �. .!-:��.�, _ (7 > N CALDER 3o N �: WASHINGTON m a 0 a w ¢ w Access to ; W W w _¢ a 3 z u- s� BROADWAY a Downtown Area ' HILTON o W — W UJ Z ci a0 ` U r U • Transfer Points ( HOT O ST. JAM S LIBE EXECUTIVE 2 LAUREL A E :.-.. s: TRANSFER '�' �' 9�2 N - FACILITY Q p�\� • CITY v jP 0 9: Laurel 00a o HALL f 5: Pine 99t• •cry r. 1: Magnolia 6: Refinery Otis �� 0, 7: South Park 2: Parklale y0 `r0 9�yi s � 4: S"11th XA _ 6: Caller l S �Q[� P C 3: College �+�`���• 1.0 • L A-5 1 i ti � I UF_U,wt'l!E o / A 2 L � \yY f I H i0 EAST 1 I GLADYS GLADYS N GAYLYNN A2E III SHOPPING c� Q CENTER w _ 3 w 2 I F z •' —-'V w lL -•:�Y'—�� ~ CA ' LIBERTY C?} =a LAURELdIIIIIIIIIIIII SOUw - HALL w J w CEDy 4 SOUTH a ` GATEWAY ''�' � �=7177-��— S CENTER ! EMMETT CL STAGG A >CL SPAM- z T "1- O qLF ' 'S� ROCK ¢ O E L Ti > MOBIL C, @ �. u REFINERY MILAM ' 4 w w SRERMAN 1 J O < a � 3HINGTON = WASHINGTON w z W IN, )► 10 Z ui a ¢O A STADt mG x E w ST. JAM S A r SCENPE v_ o A a aa� , HEBERT a a v A LAVACA a .t etttttt�� c'l o s } AH �F SARAH $ A LAMAR t ® A s UNIVERSIT`1' �c \ 8 W.VIRGIMA co V 7 SOU PARK C�OUVgL .( FLORIDA CITY LIMITS l69 ss 28 1 CITY LIMITS V O' A-6 ii HOW TO USE THE BMT HOW TO RIDE BMT BUSES ROUTE & SCHEDULE GUIDE Once you know what bus to meet and where and To use the BMT Route and Schedule Guide, just when to meet it,you're ready to ride. Wait by the bus determine where you are located (origin)on the sys- stop sign along the route until you see your bus. You tem map, then find where you want to go (destina- can identify your bus by reading the number and tion). Look at the BMT bus routes near where you are name of the bus route on the sign above the driver's and near where you want to go and select one that windshield. Wave to the bus driver to indicate you serves both your origin and destination.To determine want him to stop for you. As you board the bus drop what time the bus will arrive at your point of origin your exact fare into the farebox or show the driver along your route, find the color-coded schedule for your monthly pass. Our bus drivers do not carry that route.Look at the timepoints across the top of the change, so please have your exact fare when board- schedule.To judge the time that the bus will come to ing. If you need a transfer to complete your trip, ask a stop near you, check the times for the timepoints the driver for one. Take a seat and enjoy your trip, just before and after your stop. Follow the same pro- when you are ready to get off the bus, pull the bell cedure to figure out what time you will arrive at your cord above the window about one block before your destination. If you need further assistance in using destination. When the bus stops, please exit by the the Route and Schedule Guide, call the BMT infor- rear door, if possible. mation number: 835-7895 HOW TO A 1 MAGNOLIA USE THIS 8 c 0 otrraoUND 4oDiLnt:o�wn SCHEDULE From Downtown Uwa a I �a H �oenr a Mdgnolit MagnpMa ii M�... 6. 1--6:12/. 6:30 1 6:48 1 7:00 6:30 6: i 7M. 7:18 1 7:30 7U0 12 7:30 1 7:48 8:oo 7:30 7:42 I 8-00 8:18 8:30 8:00 8:12 8:30 1 8:48 900 8:30 I 8:42 9:00 1. 9:18 9:30 A—Shows how to identity proper bus. This illustra- tion shows the bus Headsign. B—Shows the direction of the trip.Trips away from downtown are on the left side and toward downtown are on the right side. C— Time Points marked by • on map and are col- ored to match the route schedule. Columns above list the times buses are scheduled to leave that stop. Note time points to estimate arrival time at your stop. Time points are for reference and DO NOT represent the only places that the bus will stop. Buses stop only at locations designated by bus stop signs. O — Read across left to right to plan your trip. For instance, board at Laurel and Magnolia at 8:00 to arrive at Helbig and Maida at 8:30. k A-7 ii O MAGNOLIA 6 REFINERY MONDAY THRU FRIDAY MONDAY THRU FRIDAY OUTBOUND INBOUND r OUTBOUND INBOUND From Downtown To Downtown From Downtown_ ! To Downtown j Laurel & Leight& Helbig & Leight& Liberty & Liberty & Buford& Grove & Buford& Laurel & i Magnolia 1 Magnolia Maida Magnolia Magnolia Magnolia�Sab ne Pass, Doucette Sabine Pass Magnolia — — — — — 6:00 6:08 6:1 _ _ 5 6:22 6:30 6:30 6:38 6:45 6:52 7:00 j 6:00 6:12 I 6:30 6:48 7:00 7:00 7:08 7:15 ! 7:22 7:30 6:30 6:42 7:00 7:18 7:30 7:30 7:38 7:45 7:52 8:00 7:00 i 7:12 7:30 7:48 8:00 8:00 8:08 8:15 8:22 8:30 7:30 7:42 8:00 8:18 8:30 8:30 8:38 i 8:45 8:52 9:00 8:00 8:12 8:30 8:48 9:C0 9:00 9:08 9:15 9:22 9.30 8:30 8:42 9:00 9:18 9:3J 9:30 9:38 9:45 9:52 10:00 9:00 9:12 9:30 9:48 10:00 10:00 10:08 ! 10:15 10:22 1 10:30 9:30 9:42 10:00 10:18 10:30 10:30 10:38 10:45 ! 10:52 11:00 10:00 10:12 10:30 10:48 11:00 11:00 I 11:08 11:15 11:22 11:30 10:30 10:42 11:00 11:18 11:30 11:30 11:38 11:45 11:52 12:00 11:00 11:12 11:30 11:48 12:00 1 12:00 12:08 12:15 12:22 12:30 l 11:30 11:42 12:00 12:18 12:30 12:30 ! 12:38 12:45 12:52 1:00 12:00 12:12 12:30 12:48 1:00 1:00 1:08 1:15 1:22 1:30 I 12:30 12:42 1:00 1:18 1:30 1:30 1:38 1:45 1:52 2:00 1:00 1:12 1:30 1:48 2:00 2:00 ! 2:08 2:15 I 2:22 2:30 j 1:30 ! 1:42 2:00 2:18 2:30 2:30 2:38 2:45 2:52 3:00 2:00 2:12 2:30 2:48 3:00 3:00 3:08 3:15 3:22 3:30 2:30 2:42 3:00 3:18 3:30 3:30 3:38 3:45 3:52 4:00 3:00 3:12 3:30 3:48 4:00 : 4:00 4:08 4:15 j 4:22 4:30 3:30 3:42 4:00 4:18 4:30 4:30 4:38 4:45 I 4:52 1 5:00 4:00 4:12 4:30 4:48 5:00 5:00 5:08 5:15 5:22 5:30 4:30 4:42 5:00 5:18 5:30 5:30 5:38 ! 5:45' 5:52 6:00" 5:00 5:12 5:30' 5:48' 6:00 - 5:30 5:42 6:00' 6:18' 6:30 A-8 i SATURDAY SATURDAY 7.30 . 7:38 7:55 8:05 8:15 7:30 7:43 7:55 8:02 8:15 8:15 8:23 i R:40 I o.5n i n•nn V. J.VV 8:15 8:28 8:40 8:47 ( 9:00 9:00 9:08 9:25 9:35 9:45 9:00 9:13 9:25 9:32 9:45 9:45 9:53 10:10 10:20 10:30 9:45 9:58 10:10 10:17 . 10:30 10:30 10:38 10:55 11:05 11:15 10:30. 10:43 10:55 11:02 11:15 11:15 11:23 11:40 11:50 12:00 11:15 11:28 11:40 11:47 12:00 12:00 12:08 12:25 12:35 12:45 12:00 12:13 12:25 12:32 12:45 12:45 12:53 1:10 1:20 1:30 12:45 12:58 1:10 1:17 1:30 1:30 1:38 1:55 2:05 2:15 1:30 1:43 1:55 2:02 2:15 2:15 2:23 2:40 2:50 3:00 2:15 2:28 2:40 2:47 3:00 3:00 3:08 3:25 3:35 3:45 3:00 3:13 3:25 3:32 3:45 3:45 3:53 4:10 4:20 4:30 3:45 3:58 4:10 4:17 4:30 4:30 4:38 4:55 5:05 5:30 4:30 4:43 5:10 5:17 5:30 5:30 5:38 5:55' 6:05 6:15" 5:30 5:43 5:55 6:02` 6:15' - - - - - ' Run Terminates Downtown *Run Terminates Downtown ♦Route deviation this trip only. A-9 �2 PARKDALE SOUTH PARK MONDAY THRU FRIDAY MONDAY THRU FRIDAY OUTBOUND INBOUND ;r OUTBOUND —F 1NE30UND � - _ From Downtown To Downtown_ From Downtown To Downtown Laurel a Concord e Concord rn&& j Parkdal Liberty 3 Libertv &1 Park 8 Virginia B,Washrn g ton) Laurel & Magnolia Delaware Mall Delaware 1 Magnolia', Magnolia jWashington Callaghan) 3 Ave- C Magnolia 1 6:15 6:25 I 6:35 6:44 7:00 6:00 6:12 6:23 6:33 1 6:45 6:45 j 6:55 7:05 7:14 7:30 i 6:30 j 6:42 j 6:53 7:03 7:15 7:15 7:25 j 7:35 7:44 j 8:00 7:00 j 7:12 7:23 7:33 7:45 j 7:45 j 7:55 8:05 8:14 8:30 I 7:30 7:42 7:53 8:03 8:15 ' 8:15 j 8:25 8:35 8:44 9:00 8:00 8:12 8:23 8:33 j 8:45 8:45 j 8:55 I 9:05 9:14 9:30 8:30 ! 8:42 8:53 9:03 9:15 9:15 9:25 9:35 9:44 10:00 9:00 ! 9:12 9:23 9:33 9:45 9:45 9:55 10:05 10:14 10:30 9:30 1 9:42 9:53 1 10:03 10:15 1 10:15 1 10:25 10:35 10:44 11:00 10:00 10:12 10:23 10:33 10:45 I 10:45 1 10:55 11:05 11:14 11:30 10:30 ! 10:42 10:53 11:03 1 11:15 11:15 11:25 11:35 11:44 12:00 11:00 11:12 11:23 11:33 11:45 11:45 11:55 12:05 12:14 12:30 1 11:30 11:42 11:53 12:03 12:15 ! 12:15 12:25 12:35 '12:44 1:00 12:00 12:12 12:23 12:33 12:45 12:45 12:55 1:05 1:14 1:30 12:30 ! 12:42 12:53 1:03 1:15 1:15 1:25 1 1:35 1:44 2:00 1 1:00 1:12 1:23 1 1:33 1:45 1:45 1:55 ' 2:05 2:14 2:30 1:30 1:42 1:53 1 2:03 2:15 2:15 2:25 2:35 2:44 3:00 2:00 2:12 2:23 2:33 2:45 2:45 2:55 3:05 3:14 3:30 2:30 2:42 2:53 3:03 3:15 3:15 3:25 3:35 3:44 4:00 3:00 ; 3:12 3:23 3:33 3:45 3:45 3:55 4:05 4:14 4:30 3:30 3:42 3:53 4:03 4:15 ' 4:15 4:25 4:35 4:44 5:00 400 4:12 4:23 4:33 4:45 4:45 4:55 5:05 5:14 5:30 4:30 I 4:42 5:05 5:18 5:30 5:30 5:40 5:55 6:04* 6:20-*- 5:00 5:12 5:23` 1 5:33` 5:45' 1 5:30 5:42 5:53` 6:03` A-10 SATURDAY SATURDAY - -7 - - I - 7:30 t 7:40 7:50 7:59 8:15 7:30 7:42 j 7:53 8:03 8:15 1 8:15 8:25 8:35 8:44 9:00 8:15 8:27 8:38 8:48 9:00 9:00 9:10 9:20 9:29 ! 9:45 9:00 9:12 9:23 9:33 9:45 9:45 9:55 10:05 10:14 10:30 9:45 9:57 10:08 10:18 10:30 10:30 10:40 10:50 10:59 11:15 10:30 10:42 10:53 11:03 11:15 1 11:15 11:25 11:35 11:44 12:00 11:15 11:27 11:38 11:48 12:00 12:00 12:10 12:20 12:29 12:45 12:00 12:12 12:23 12:33 12:45 12:45 12:55 1:05 1:14 1:30 , 12:45 12:57 1:08 1:18 1:30 ; 1:30 1:40 1:50 1:59 2:15 j 1:30 1:42 1:53 2:03 2:15 # 2:15 2:25 2:35 2:44 3:00 2:15 2:27 2:38 2:48 1 3:00 4 3:00 3:10 3:20 3:29 3:45 3:00 3:12 3:23 3:33 3:45 17, 3:45 3:55 4:05 4:14 4:30 3:45 3:57 4:08 4:18 4:30 4:30 4:40 4:50 4:59 5:30' 4:30 4:42 5:08 5:18 5:30 5:30 5:40 5:50* 5:59* 6:15* 5:30 1 5:42 5:53* 6:03* 6:151 - - .- - _ Run Terminates Downtown .*Run Terminates Downtown A-11 ii O3 CALDER �$ COLLEGE MONDAY THRU FRIDAY MONDAY_ THRU FRIDAY OUTBOUND INBOUND OUTBOUND INBOUND From Downtown To Downtown From Downtown To Downtown Laurel G 23rd& Dowlen& 23rd& Liberty& Liberty& College& Sarah& College&& Laurel& Magnolia Calder Gladys Calder Magnolia Magnolia I Amarillo 4th Amarillo Magnolia — 6:15 6 3 6.35 6:45 7:00 6:00 6:13 6:25 1 6:32 6:45 6:45 6:53 7:05 7:15 7:30 6:30 6:43 6:55 7:02 7:15 7:15 7:23 7:35 7:45 8:00 7:00 7:13 7:25 1 7:32 i 7:45 7:45 7:53 8:05 8:15 8:30 7:30 7:43 j 7:55 8:02 8:15 8:15 8:23 8:35 8:45 9:00 8:00 8:13 8:25 8.32 8:45 8:45 8:53 9:05 9:15 9:30 8:30 8:43 8:55 9:02 9:15 9:15 9:23• 9: i 35 9:45 10:00 9:00 9:13 9:25 9:32 9:45 9:45 9:53 10:05 10:15 10:30 9.30 1, 9:43 P10:55 9:55 10:02 10:15 10:15 10:23 , 10:35 10:45 i 11:00 10:00 10:13 0:25 10:32 10:45 10:45 10:53 11:05 11:15 11:30 10:30 10:43 11:02 11:15 11:15 11:23 11:35 11:45 12:00 11:00 11:13 11:25 11:32 11:45 11:45 11:53 I 12:05 12:15 12:30 11:30 11:43 11:55 1 12:02 12:15 12:15 12:23 12:35 12:45 1:00 12:00 12:13 12:25 12:32 12:45 12:45 12:53 1:05 1:15 1:30 12:30 12:43 12:55 1:02 1:15 1:15 1:23 1:35 1:45 2:00 1:00 1:13 1:25 1:32 1:45 j 1:45 1:53 2:05 2:15 2:30 1:30 1:43 1:55 2:02 2:15 2:15 2:23 2:35 2:45 3:00 2:00 2:13 2:25 2:32 2:45 2:45 2:53 3:05 3:15 3:30 2:30 2:43 2:55 3:02 3:15 3:15 3:23 3:35 3:45 4:00 3:00 3:13 3:25 3:32 3:45 3:45 3:53 4:05 4:15 4:30 3:30 3:43 3:55 4:02 4:15 4:15 4:23 4:35 4:45 5:15 4:00 4:13 1 4:25 4:32 4:45 4:45 4:53 5:05 5:15 5:30 4:30 4:43 5:10 5:17 5:30 5:30 1 5:38 5:55' 6:05' 6:15' 5:15 5:28 5:41' 5:48 6:00' — — — — — 5:30 5:43 5:55' 6:02' 6:15' — — — — — A-12 111 SATURDAY SATURDAY 7:45 1 7:53 1 8:00 j 8:07 8:15 7:30 7:42 1 8:00 8:18 8:30 'j 8:30 8:38 8:45 8:52 9:00 8:15 8:27 8:45 9:03 9:15 9:15 9:23 9:30 9:37 9:45 9:00 9:12 9:30 9:48 10:00 10:00 j 10:08 10:15 10:22 i 10:30 9:45 9:57 10:15 10:33 j 19:4451 10:45 10:53 11:00 11:07 11:15 J 10:30 10:42 11:00 11:18 t 11:30 11:30 11:38 11:45 11:52 12:00 11:15 11:27 1.1:45 12:03 12:15 12:15 12:23 12:30 12:37 j 12:45 12:00 12:12 12:30 12:48 1:00 1:00 1:08 1:15 1:22 1:30 12:45 12:57 1:15 1:33 1:45 1:45 1:53 2:00 2:07 2:15 j 1:30 1:42 2:00 2:18 2:30 2:30 2:38 2:45 2:52 j 3:00 I 2:15 2:27 2:45 3:03 3:15 3:15 3:23 3:30 3:37 3:45 j 3:00 3:12 3:30 3:48 4:00 4:00 4:08 4:15 4:22 4:30 3:45 3:57 4:15 4:33 4:45 4:45 4:53 5:00 5:07 5:30 4:30 4:42 5:00 5:18 5:30 5:30 5:38 5:45 5:52 6:00' 5:30 5:42 1 6:00" 6:18' 6:30' - - - - - Run Terminates Downtown Run Terminates Downtown A-13 SOUTH ELEVENTH MONDAY THRU SATURDAY OUTBOUND INBOUND From Downtown To Downtown Laurel & Stagg& Fatima& Stagg& Laurel & Magnolia 8th Sarah 8th I Magnolia •X6:30 X6:45 X7:00 X7:15 X7:30 • 7:30 7:45 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:30 8:45 9:00 9:15 9:30 9:30 9:45 10:00 10:15 10:30 10:30 10:45 11:00 11:15 11:30 11:30 11:45 12:00 12:15 12:30 12:30 12:45 1:00 1:15 1:30 1:30 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 i 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 3:30 • 3:30 3:45 4:00 4:15 4:30 • 4:30 4:45 5:00 5:15 5:30 5.30 5:45 :W- 6:15' 6:30 • Run Terminates Downtown X Monday through Friday only *Route deviation this trip only. A-14 ii O PINE �9 LAUREL MONDAY THRU SATURDAY MONDAY THRU SATURDAY OUTBOUND INBOUND 44 OUTBOUND i INBOUND From Downtown To Downtown i From Downtown To Downtown Laurel & Live Oak& Coleman& Live Oak& Laurel&` Laurel & Calder& Toccoa& 7th & Laurel & Magnolia Magnolia Pine Magnolia Magnolia Magnolia 11th 11th Calder Magnolia x 6:00 x 6:08 x 6:15 _x6:22 x 6:30' x 6:30 x 6:38 x6:45 x 6:53 x 7:00 x 7:00 x 7:08 x 7:15 x 7:22 x 7:301 7:30 7:38 • 7:45 7:53 8:00 8:00 8:08 8:15 8:22 8:30 8:30 8:38 8:45 8:53 9:00 9:00 9:08 9:15 9:22 9:3011 9: 0 9:38 9:45 9:53 1 10:00 10:00 10:08 10:15 10:22 10:30' 10:30 10:38 10:45 10:53 1 11:00 11:00 11:08 11:15 11:22 11:30 11:30 11:38 11:45 11:53 12:00 12:00 12:08 12:15 12:22 12:30 12:30 12:38 12:45 12:53 1:00 1:00 1:08 1:15 1:22 1:30 1:30 1:38 1:45 1:53 2:00 2:00 2:08 2:15 2:22 2:30 2:30 2:38 2:45 2:53 3:00 3:00 3:08 3:15 3:22 3:30 3:30 3:38 3:45 3:53 4i00 4:00 4:08 4:15 4:22 4:30 4:30 4:38 4:45 4:53 5:00 5:00 5:08 5:15 5:22 5:30 5:30 5:38 5:45 5:53 6:00 6:00 6:08 6:15* 6:22* 6:30 — — — — _ X Monday through Friday only . • Run Terminates Downtown X Monday through Friday only A-15 i 835-7895 INFORMATIONWhen you need information about bus schedules, routes, special services, and fares, call the BMT information number: 8357895 Monday thru Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tell the information specialist where you are, where you want to go, and what time you wish to arrive. They'll supply the route and schedule information you need. ASH FARES° 4 MONTHLY PASSESr a.*•����� 4''i mil' . 70 ._.. -. ,: Adults ;500 Adultf y. . . . . . . .$18.00 Senior Citizens(65 years cr older � Senior Citizens $7.00 and,,persons with medicare card r 15q; Handicapped vnth BMA" D 150 Nandi " • 70 Yotthages" 6thru?iY8 wth' - , n yF,0g BMT-orrsctiool].D.) , Yout F 700 `Childrenunder *with Transfers y 10¢ -� ` allow Unlimited rides each:J= Elderly/Handicapped Transfers -. month '(D required to purchase_Senior Citizen, PLEASE HAVE EXACT FARE# EADY. = Nandi and` th cappe d,' You BUS OPERATORS DO NC CARRY CHANGE ` Pass, , IDENTIFICATION CARDS for qualified handicapped persons may be purchased at the BMT offices, 550 Milam Street. For information regarding requirements call 8357895, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. MONTHLY PASSES may be purchased at the following location,_ Beaumont Municipal Transit 550 Milam Street Central Collections or Transportation Department Beaumont City Hall, 801 Main Street TRANSFERS are issued to provide continuous service between two points not served by a single route. Transfers are valid for 30 minutes on weekdays and for 45 minutes on Saturday. Transfers are issued only for a one-way continuous journey and are not valid for a return trip. Transfers are accepted at all bus stops in the downtown area, at the central transfer point located at Weiss Park, and where routes cross or share the same bus stop. A-16 li ;•. . . i,i �;,,, , ,. L'.1, ,_ „ , ,,, i „ ,,:ILL:, c�_�i�'L't r (UU r'J,` E 1 CULT I L IHi,I USUP,LLY i'i-L7L N 1 YOU Fi Ut! LF FECI l VELY Us!,:c POUTL= TRANSIT FOR TRIPS SUCH AS b1G'� ., ;CI1���E, MEDIU;L, OR OTHER TRIPS, THE .t�,� �� IU;TIO'J h;JD 1N TI,i ,Y��1G ;�� CE;TI ICI,Ti5N 15 CO�NFI DENT 1 'L; Dill i, I ) FOR TRANS I T PU,Nt l I f i'- POSES O'dLY /-11D, 11"A SUCH CASES, 1iE F"tr�U,''`S Ii,'!SE :.ILL NOT BE USED. PLEASE (,tJSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW IN Et1,-LLE US TU ASSIST YOU IN YOUR ?RAtISPORTATION NEEDS, ' AL F 0Rf A T IT 'I �LAST�— �FIRST� (MIDDLE INITIAL) (STREET OR P— R.. (CITY AND STATE) ,ZIP CODE M TELEPHONE NUMBER: BIRTH DATE: PLEASE GIVE THE NAME AND TELEPHONE NUi-'DER OF SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF ;:HO WILL BE CONTACTING US TO REQUEST SERVICE IN YOUR NAME OR THAT WE MAY CONTACT IF THE NEED ARISES: NAME: TELEPHONE NUMBER: 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,M, 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, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ----------------------------- 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 CANCELLING 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, DATE: SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — OFFICE USE ONLY TYPE OF DISABILITY: TRANSIT RESTRICTED TRANSIT LIMITED DATE APPLICATION RECEIVED: APPROVED DATE: _ BY: DENIED TITLE: COMMENTS: form number : STS 1002 1B-1 ii I (i fi � IAI- TP, A Il IT ; ERVICE `; IEDICA + DI I .; 2) raoN-Artul;I:,��r A. PERSONS WHO APE GENERALLY CCI;F I HED TO •)HEELCHA I RS, 3) SEMI-N BULATORY A. INDIVIDUALS WHO l•JALK 'WITH DIFFICULTY, iNCLUDII�G 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, C. INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER AMPUTATION, ANATOMICAL DEFORP1ITY, OR LOSS OF LIMBS, UNLESS WELL COMPENSATED BY PROSTHESIS. D. CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT CAUSING THE INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN WALKING OR STANDING DUE TO PARALYSIS. E. PULMONARY ILLS. INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING RESPIRATORY IMPAIRMENTS SUCH AS DYSPNEA, F. SIGHT DISABILITIES. ELIGIBILITY IS LIMITED•TO THE LEGALLY BLIND, G. OTHER DISABILITIES WHICH IMPAIR A PERSON'S MOBILITY, PLEASE SPECIFY: THE APPLICANT REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING: WHEELCHAIR CRUTCHES ATTENDANT WALKER CANE OTHER & TYPE 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 LIST ANY EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS RELATIVE TO THE DISABILITY, INCLUDING REGULAR MEDICATION, WHICH MIGHT ASSIST EMERGENCY PERSONEL IF THE NEED ARRISES. I CERTIFY THAT IS: NAME OF APPLICANT, PERMANENTLY MOBILITY IMPAIRED SAT LEAST FIVE YEARS) TEMPORARILY MOBILITY IMPAIRED: ANTICIPATED DATE: M.D. DATE NAME: TELEPHONE NLWIBER: ADDRESS: STREET, P.O. BOX, OR R.R. CITY AND STATE B-2 ZIP CODE EXHIBIT C RIDER IDENTIFICATION CARDS TR BEAUMONT UNI-GP4L TRANSIT SPECIAL T SIT SERVIC PROGRAM T NAME ADDRESS I I TELEPHONE —J—J DCPIAATtON DATE FRONT Those riders who are non-ambulatory will be issued a card with the prefix "TR" and a four digit number. All requests for service are accepted Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m.and 5:00 p.m. One day advanced notice is required. To request service or for information, call 835-789& BACK Cards will have the following characteristics: 1. Size of a drivers license: 2. No photograph: 3. Valid for a time depending on disability. C-1 t- r` f T gf t s � 1 t "• t - r1��1,�1[��¢��Rt�.�s i. ti•rli!�-T(cE:'i•,:��,i:,•( • �3 1111.1• j C I•�S I -}`> �'�• • • •.35!111."1L1.;,._u•41 i. .77 iifi,.....fi'N}•T J� r,•� ) rf..f r /f's •r �M 'S" C,:'-' Of .�/ �3 y 1 rR.nA '�'rr ` '+M'1.�, +1 >i y�.�•+?J/Jy;� ir�j`-�( '� r ..,_J fi` �M�,yiM.'rr+°1�Niv(•Ffm M•;r `. Y �. 1 t •I ` r 1 �� .. r r +'r r F FI�.i :•ilr � vµ`r .;r.• s v4r' tr • ,- 1 i i i SEA•UTAONT. TEXAS ii 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 tran- sit services. The program adds realistic meaning to the words "acces- sibility" 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 Tran- sit Services Coordinator has been designated to ensure that a high level of service is provided in an efficient manner. Other transit per- sonnel process applications and receive reservations for quick and convenient service. STS passengers are assisted by drivers that are trained in Passenger Assistance Techniques. All STS vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts and are maintained in a safe and clean condition. D-2 ELIGIBILITY All Beaumont residents who, because of a handicap, are unable to physically use the regular transit system, are e4;1hle for the special transportation services program. Persons eligible for the Special Transit Services include the following: • Non-ambulatory persons who, for all practical purposes, are con- fined to wheelchairs; • 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: or • Other individuals who, because of a long or short term disability, are unable to physically use the fixed route transit system as deter- mined by a physician. Persons requiring emergency medical transportation, constant medical care or treatment, or who are virtually confined to bed, are not eligible for Special Transit Services. This service can best be ren- dered by private ambulance companies. APPLICATION FOR SERVICE An application must be completed in order to determine eligibility and to establish individual needs and services desired. To determine eligibility, an application for Special Transit Services must be com- pleted by both the handicapped person and a physician. A physician must indicate on the application the nature of the handicap and cer- tify that the individual is unable to physically use the regular fixed route transit service. The physician's certification shall be the primary means for determining eligibility. Application forms are available from $eaumont Municipal Transit as well as from specific local and state agencies. All applications should be returned to: Beaumont Municipal Transit 5 50 Milam Beaumont, Texas 77701 Attention: Special Transit Services D-3 u a.,rs lit, 1191 0 %,pplic"Itiow will 1x. E)r'x_�_ s� ed five (5) working (Jays '1'ho�se eligible four provided a Rider Identification Card. A S 1 .00 fee to cover the cost of an identification card should accompany the application. This card includes an identificati011 number that should phoning for service. Applicant's eligibility (identification will. remain in effect for a length of time specified by the individual's physi- cian and/or authorized by the STS Coordinator. 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. Howe,.,,er, the physician's certification may be waived if the STS coordinator determines that the visitor is physically unable to use the regu- lar transit system. Non-eligible persons may also accom- pany pany an eligible handica Peed person. If the physician indicates on the application form that an attendant is needed, one per- son may travel with the eligible passenger free of charge. Other non- handicapped persons may accompany an eligible passenger on a space available basis. A fare is required from these passengers. 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. Services will not be provided on the following observed holidays: New Years Day Labor Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Fourth of July Christmas SERVICE AREA Special Transit Service is provided to and from any origin or destina- tion within the City of Beaumont. D-4 6i =lull: Wia SCHEDULING SERVICE Transportation fc;r (°ligii�;r � i;j be provided on a "First-come-first-served" basis regardles� Of trif; purpose. Trips my he scheduled ,�,) fo ll;)�ys Call-In System — EligiUc, riders njay obtain ervi�_ by contacting Special Transit Services at 835-7895 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 and between 8:00 a.m. and 1 :00 p.m_ on Saturdays. Trip requests are accepted when passengers have exact time and addresses for each origin and desination. Scheduled trips ensure a passenger's desired trip time and enable STS to increase vehicle utili- zation 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. Return trips may also be scheduled on a "will-call"" basis. Eligible persons scheduling a return trip on a "will-call" basis will be required to contact the STS Scheduler when they wish to be picked up. A vehi- cle will then be dispatched as soon as possible. However, passengers with scheduled pick-up times will receive priority over '"will-call". pas- sengers. 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. Passengers desiring to cancel a scheduled trip or to change a des- tination 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. Advanced Reservation Services — Those applicants, who desire service on a regular basis may use the System's Advanced Reserva- tion 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 constant. Applications for this service are available from the STS Coordinator. Advanced reservation trips may be limited so that passengers that do not require transportation on a regular basis have an opportunity to use the Snec-ial Transit Service. D-5 USE OF FIXED ROUTE. TRANSIT SYSTEM T 'vim The City will not, on the basis of handicap, j deny to any handicapped person th opportun- ity to use the City's system of mass -Iransporta- Lion for the general p i 3 g public, if that person �s capable of using the system. In addition, the I( ' City will not otherwise discriminate against handicapped persons in connection with the provision of its transportation service for the general public. FARES Eligible Handicapped Persons: Cash Fare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S1.00 7r, Monthly Pass (unlimited rides) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530.00/Month Ticket Books (book of 10 each good for one trip) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510.00;Book Attendant Required by Physician: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -I REF. Other Passengers Accompanying Handicapped Persons: I; Adult (age 19 and over) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.50/Thp Youth (age 6 through 18) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ I.00ITrip Children (age S and under) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FREE Application Fee (to cover cost of I.D. Card) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.00 OPERATING POLICIES The Special Transit Services Program is an individual 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 Public Works for both STS pas- sengers and transit personnel. These guidelines will be provided to each eligible rider. D-6 III fX'^Xt ✓ j-iearing or Speech fmpaired Passengers — Thy, -)pedal Tl ansit Servi( r(­, system is equipped with TTD communications equipment for use 5y per- sons with hearing or Speech impairments. Such pas- I seneers may conta< , _�;,F�cia( Transit Seri at 835-7895 for information and/or to schedule a trip. 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 describ- ing 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 71ransit Manager within ten ( 10) working days of the Coordinator's final response. The Transit Manager responds to the appeal or complaint within five 15) working days of receipt of the letter. C. If the individual is not satisfied, a letter may be sent to the Director of Public Works within ten ( 10) days of the 'IYansit Manager's final response. The Director of Public Works responds to the complaint or appeal within five (5) 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. D-7 Please Note: Holiday Schedule I. Special7tansit Services is not an emergency BMT does not provide service ambulance service, on the following holidays 2. Drivers will assist you from your door into (or day observed as holiday) '—""—'—"SPECIAL, the van and from the van into your destina- New Years Day tion and will secure your standard wheel- Memorial, Day TRANSIT S-ERWICES, chair once on the van. If you require addi- 4th of July tional assistance, you must provide your Labor Day own attendant. Thanksgiving Day 3. Divers cannot make change.You must have Christmas Day the exact fare. If you are uncertain what your fare will be, ask the STS. dispatcher to tell you when you call to request a van. >< Ticket hooks may also be purchased. M4. PLEASE plan your time carefully and be PROMPT! OTHERS have scheduled trips and will provide you the same courtesy. If you do not have an exact time for your re- turn trip when you make your appoint- ment, you may call the BMT office at the conclusion of your business and the first available van will be dispatched to you. '4k'%W^4W Mull S.T.S. Hours Of Operation K. provided by -14 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL TRANSIT BEAUMON`(' MUNICIPAL TRANSIT SYSTEM, Monday ~ Saturday 550 Milam Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 BW 838-0617 SM .. :'.�:• �"l�,f•�w�',, .�, '`. ",� ��` {�T"'1�'!_` �� � 1,, 4x r•> �` rye i What Is S.T.S. How Does STS. Work? S.T.S. Fare Information: Special Transit Service is for persons who • Eligible passengers must call one day in ELIGIBLE RID[--RS— S 1.00 per one-way [ill cannot use regular BMT buses. Vans spe- cially equipped with wheelchair lifts and Required Attenci,ult — FREE restraints for standard wheelchairs provide • 16 travel on a regul�Ir basis, call 838-0017 with C-i dvance note,-- dc,oi-to-door service. E,wll van can accom- to receives,u) applic�ltion for advanced ser- moclate both wheelchair and semi- vice reservations. Advance reservations Other passengeris) accon-ipanvino eii ,lmbulatory passengers. are taken on a space available basis. rider (on space a�.ailable basis) \ STS will operate Monday through Satur- Adult (a e I a over) day from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 RM. The service S.T.S. is designed for scheduled use and is g NOT intended as an emergency ambr,_ — S 1.50 per one-way tf p area is limited to within the city limits of Youth (age 6 - 18 .�ears) Beaumont. dance service. — STS provides transportation for eligible S 1.00 per one-way trip Child )age 5 & �in�ier) — FRI:I persons to and from their homes, work, �11001 shoppinlo. doctors' offic=es, and other ELIGIBLE iZIDER \10NT1IL.l' PAS,-) cati(Als for unlimited rig{(", 0 01 n,ontl� Who's Eligible for S.T.S.? When You Call For A Please State: Persons eligible for S.T.S. are those con- STS. Van, -- — — - f ned to .vheelchairs, or otherwise unable to I. Your name S.T.S. Information use regular BMT buses because of perma- 2. Your STS. ID number And Scheduling Hours rent or temporary disabilities. To obtain a 3. Where you want to be picked up 5 ertification form call BMT at 838-0617 and 4. Where you want to go and the purp )S(e ()I 1ne will be mailed to you your trip 838flW0% 617 Bill OUt your portion. have your doctor 5. When you must be there and when you ,mplete the medical certificate, and send it plan to return 8:00 ��. 1Y1. - 5:00 P.M. (�. Whether or not yeti will be �lc�c on�panied t i uci to I;;\1T BNIT will c�,nt,]ct y��u upon your Mon( lay - f(-Iday certification and assist you in obtaining an by an attendant, or ether persons and j lentification card. A fee of S 1-00 is charged for the STS. iden- SatU Cloy 8:00 a.Ill. - 1 -00 p.fll. ication card. — - -- g i i I� � V ilk fl �, � :� , I? V 71 CE i ,1) FIRST) ''DIDDLE INITI;+L) R.) I CITY AND STATE) ZIP CODE TELEPHONE NUiIBEP, : SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: PLEASE GIVE THE NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF WHO WILL BE CONTACTING US TO REQUEST SERVICE IN YOUR NAME OR THAT WE MAY CONTACT IF THE NEED ARISES: NAME: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TRANSPORTATION NEEDS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - m PLEASE CHECK YOUR NEEDS AND FILL IN THE APPROPRIATE BLANKS BELOW: TRIP_1_ I WILL NEED SERVICE ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: C MONDAY FRIDAY TUESDAY SATURDAY WEDNESDAY BIWEEKLY LIST DAYS BELOW) THURSDAY T0 : FACILITY =,1E ADDRESS: STREET ADDRESS ARRIVAL TIME: A, M. OR P.M. DEPARTURE TIME: A. M. OR P.M. m RETURN TRIP TRIP 2 1 WILL NEED SERVICE ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: MONDAY FRIDAY TUESDAY SATURDAY WEDNESDAY BIWEEKLY (LIST DAYS BELOW) THURSDAY T0 : FACILITY NAME ADDRESS: STREET ADDRESS ARRIVAL TIME: A. M. OR P.M. DEPARTURE TIME: RETURN TRIP A. M. OR P.M. (PLEASE READ AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE) F-1 ii v 1 '41LL NUT IFY 111E Iy•11 o; ; 1r.; ; __i,',l (J:JL :j I F REASON I CANNOT !V F THi i.;i', I U!�iIFP`-TAr jj i 1l;kT �i. „_PVATIC!1 - - -- -- iy - --- - - -- AT)PLIC',!1T,----- --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OFFICE USE ONL `! TYPE OF DISABILITY: TRANSIT RESTRICTED TRANSIT LIMITED DATE ADVANCED SERVICE APPLICATION RECEIVED: APPROVED BY: DENIED TITLE: ATTENDANT REQUIRED: YES NO ENTERED INTO ADVANCED RESERVATION BOOK: DATE: BY: COMt1ENTS: form number STS 1003 F-2 III TRIP PURPOSE OTHER MEDICAL SHOPPING 6.0 12 .0 DIALYSIS 35.0 9.0 WORK 38.0 G1 TRIP PU R POSE 1986 �- DIaLYSiS MEDICAL SCHOOL OCHER SHOPPING 10.0 1 7, 0 .13,0 TO WORK 53.0 EXHIBIT H ANNUAL STS RIDERSHIP 76 0 14 o i 12 x (/� S W 10 V Z W 8 N cn a 6 lk 4 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 YEAR EXHIBIT I 20 16 dW 14 cc 12 w H r Z W 6 U) 18; 7 U) a. � � 5 4 4 4 4 4 �. 3 1 3 ; 3 371 l ; 22 : ; I 2 222 ; 2 0 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 TIME 0 F DAY EXHIBIT J COMPARISON OF STS OPERATING EXPENSES TO TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES Year Total Expenses STS Expenses Percentage 1987 $ 1,369,060 $ 109,237 8.0% 1988 $ 1,396,230 $ 113,967 8.2% 1989 $ 1,435,642 $ 120,849 8.4% 1990 $ 1,529,022 $ 132,675 8.7% 1991* $ 1,756,361 $ 204,610 11.6% * STS was expanded in January 1991 from two vans operating 24 hours to three vans operating 28 hours on weekdays and from one van operating 12 hours to two vans operating 16 hours on Saturdays. J-1 EXHiBIT K LIST OF SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS IN THE BEAUMONT AREA NUMBER AND TYPE OF PROVIDER VEHICLES OPERATED SERVICE AREA ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DAYS/HOURS OF OPERATIaT Jefferson County 2 - 14 Passenger Vans Jefferson County General Public-Transportation Tuesday-Friday, Pick- Health and Welfare (non-lift equipped) for Indigent Patients to Ups Begin at 6:00 a.m. a-d Department John Sealy Hospital in Departure Time From Galveston Galveston is 4:00 p.m. Beaumont State Center 41 Total Vehicles Jefferson, Orange, Clients Only-Transportation to Monday-Friday (4 buses and 1 van and Chambers Program Locations Throughout 6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. are lift equipped) Counties Area i Baptist Hospital 2-8 Passenger Vans City Limits of Clients Only-Medical Monday-Friday (non-lift equipped) Beaumont Appointments 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Beaumont Association 8 Total Vehicles North Jefferson Clients and Public-Adult Monday-Friday for Senior Citizens (1 lift-equipped) County Day Care and Medical 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Transportation Life Resource 8-10 Total Vehicles Jefferson, Orange, Clients Only-Transportation According to Client's Carmunity Mental (non-lift equipped) Chambers, and for Mentally Disabled to Agency (MHMR) Hardin Counties Programs and Psychriatric/ Medical Appointments Southeast Texas 1 Lift-Equipped Vehicle City Limits of Clients Only-Medical Monday-Frida}' Rehabilitation Beaumont Appointments 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Hospital Fairway Houses, Inc. 1-8 Passenger Van Jefferson County Clients Only-Transportation According to Client 's (non-lift equipped) for Medical Appointments 1-12 Passenger Lift Shopping Trips, Recreational Equipped Van Activities and Other Client Needs ii EXHIBIT L , ,SPECIAL —IP1,1,,1SIT SERVICES (STS) P'Rccp,.,%j 01: The information obtained in this certification by the Beaumont MLinicipal on Process will Only be used services. Transit System for the provision of transo ,ortaticn Information Will remain confidential and only be shared with other transit providers in order to facilitate travel in those areas. The info=a--c:__ will not be provided to any other agency or person. SBCITCN A (To be c__2leted by a2plicant - please-2rint or type) APPLICANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: 1. NAME 2. ADDpESS (First) CITY —STATE ZIP 3. TELF pHCNE NUMBER (Ha-ne) (tr'ork) 4. DATE OF BIRTH 5. EIERGENCy CC NTACr NAME TELEPHONE NUMB This should be an individual other I than yourself who .- may contact in an emergency situation. If a social case worker or another individual will be scheduling for you then it should be their name and number. If You will be using the Special Transit Services Program for work, medical, school, or Similar recurring trips, you may be eligible for Advanced Reservation must Service. YOU need the service three or more times a week and days/pick- the need to call eliminates up times must remain constant. Advanced Reservation Service el nates -in to schedule a ride each time. is limited to Only fift Advanced Reservation Service y percent of the total capacity. If you wish to receive an application for Advanced Reservation paratransit Service, please check the box below. 1 Yes, please send me an application for Advanced Reservation Service, ending the approval Of this application. L-1 lil A C K N O W_I, H D G E M li N T 7 fl1:IZI;I3Y M/�YL APPI,ICJV`I'I:ChU I'OR SI'I;C(�1, i' �uTn P'J�D IC!PAI. 77�uN.,, :J AI'US AND UNDE(LS`I'AND 77 'i' '1111S T AI SO UNDERSTAND THAT COWINUED INCIDF--WI'S OF : ;'-.I i�TR7;I ICS Jt 1 v JUSE P T�112 �CE. SCI IEM,ING AND NOT CANCELLING OR NOTIFYTNG T iT' ��'T,Ir T:T T,FI ST r (1 ) III iR IN-I /,I)V111]Cf: hU�.Y BE GROUNDS 1-1�R REVOEIN , If7 7711; P}�(r�I�'�M. IN MIAEING THIS APPLICATION, I, ITS Pi � lTSE " I. IwFOI�u.l?:CN ON THE BACK Or' THIS FORM TO BEAUMONT MUNICIPP.L, TR.7t-NSIT FOR THE pURF'OSE OF VERIFYING PRC 41 ELIGIBILITY. (SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT) (DATE) SEMON B (To be completed by medical doctor or other authorized health care professional) PROFESSIONAL VERIFICATION: NOTE: Federal law requires that Beatunont Municipal Transit (BMT) provide paratransit services to persons unable to utilize available fixed route bus services because of their disabilities. The information you provide will allow BMT to make an appropriate evaluation of this individual's request and its application to specific trip requests. . Thank you for your cooperation. 1. Capacity in which you know the applicant: 2. Medical Diagnosis of condition causing disability: 3. Is the condition temporary? No Yes Expected duration until 4. How does this disability prevent the applicant fran using fixed route bus service? Please explain completely. 5. If the person has a disability effecting mobility, is the person: Able to walk 200 feet without assistance? Yes No Sometimes Able to walk 1/4 mile without assistance? Yes No Sometimes L-2 a YeS iIo LXJ:IK liu_;; Able to climb three 12-inch steps without �snis+, �nc�? Yes No Sometimes Able to wait outside without support for 1.0 minutes? Yes No Sometimes Does this person use any mobility aids(check all that apply)? Manual wheelchair Crutches Electric wheelchair Guide doc Powered scooter Walker Cane Prosthesis Other (please explain) 7. If the person has a visual impairment: Visual Acuity with Best Correction: Right eye Left eye Both eyes Visual Fields: Right eye Left eye Both eyes 8. If the person has a cognitive disability, is the person able to: Give addresses and telephone numbers upon request? Yes No Recognize a destination or landmark? Yes No Deal with unexpected situations or unexpected change in routine? Yes No Ask for, understand and follow directions? Yes No L-3 l,l Yes I]o IS Of ;P11C11 TraI1SlL sh _ lr :,_ awarel? List any oLIKIr- emergency medical information relative to the disability which might assist emergency personnel if the need arises (includes medications) . CER IC ATION I CITIFY THAT TEE ABOVE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CC)RRECT. SI(:ZIATURE NAPS TITLE ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE NUMBER OFFICE USE ONLY DATE APPLICAT ON RECEIVED: APPROVED DATE: BY: DENIED TI'T'LE: Camwis: L-4 Id BEAUMON'I' I,?UNICIPIIL TRANSIT SYS -M SPECIAL TPAINSIT SE:RVICFS (STS) PRC1 R r19 APPLICATIaN ITUP, 7_DVAN= RE=VATIC)N The information obtained in this application will only be used by the Beaumont Municipal Transit System for the provision of transportation services. Information will remain confidential and only be shared with other transit providers in order to facilitate travel in those areas. The information will not be provided to any other agency or -serson. Advance Reservation is only for individuals who will need to be transported at least three or more times a week with the days, pick-up times, and Nick-up locations remaining constant. The passenger will be limited to only two trips per day (one destination and one return trip) up to a maxinnun of five days in any week. By law, this type of subscription can only fill 500 of the available vehicle capacity in the STS Program. Therefore, approval of this service for each applicant is not guaranteed. If the requested days/times are not available at the time of the application request, the applicant will Le_ placed on a waiting list. As slots become open, they will be filled from the waiting list on the basis of the chronological order of the dates on the initial application requests. APPLICANP PERSONAL II TIC N: (please print or type) 1. NAME (Last) (First) (Middle Initial) 2. ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP 3. TELEPHONE NUMBER(Home) (1%brk) 4. DATE of BIRTH 5. E-IER(M VCy CoNrACT NAME TELEPHONE 1,4UvIBER This should be an individual other than yourself who we may contact in an emergency situation. If a social case worker or another individual will be scheduling for you then it should be their name and number. L-5 '171/1N;�I'tNll'h'I'I( lN NI•:f•;I},`;: ✓ill v_� ri �;i i-viCe on U1(- f.ollc,'V✓ir� , Monday Fran (Pick—Up - (Facility Nam, e) -----_— To: (Destination) : (Facility Name) (,Address) Pick-Up Time: AM or Frl Departure Time (return trip) : AM or PM Please list any special requirements or information BMT should be awlare of recjarding your Advance Reservation Service needs. A I hereby make application for the STS Advanced Reservation Service. I understand that this service is limited by capacity and is not guaranteed. I agree that I will notify the BMI' office at least one hour in advance of my scheduled pick- up time if for any reason I cannot make my scheduled trip. I understand that repeated failure (three times in a 30 day period) to cancel trips within the agreed time could be grounds for revoking my privilege to participate in the Advance Reservation Service and/or STS Program. I agree to release any information on this form to Beaumont Municipal Transit for the purpose of providing transportation services. (Signature of Applicant) (Date) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OFFICE USE ONLY DATE APPLICATION RECEIVED APPROVED FOR IMEDTATE SERVICE APPROVED FOR SERVICE, BUT PLACID ON WAITING LIST BECAUSE OF CAPACITY AVAILABILITY DENIED DATE BY: TITLE: C CMME TS: L-6