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Alaska CARTS (31) Central Area Rural Transit System, Inc. (CARTS) (10)
Location: Kenai Peninsula Borough (AK)
Type: Trip-Based Services/Demand response
Goal: Improved system capacity
Service description: Central Area Rural Transit System, Inc. provides a coordinated brokerage and dispatch, demand response system to provide rides to residents and visitors to the Central Kenai Peninsula. Prior to this project, there were numerous independent providers of transit services for their clients. CARTS takes calls during regular weekday hours and guarantees rides between the hours of 7 AM and 11 PM, five days a week, except for work trips. Work trips are provided twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Saturday and Sunday trips are provided by request.
CARTS operates on pre-purchased punch cards, and passengers must schedule their rides the day before. CARTS gives the most cost-effective, appropriate ride for that passenger, including those who have disabilities, and all rides are door-to-door. The brokerage concept was found to be the most flexible approach to most effectively utilize existing seat capacity, provide for expansion, adjust for economic conditions, and to reach the most riders and employers.
Evaluation: CARTS uses nine key elements to measure system performance. Elements include total expenses, variable expenses (i.e., fuel costs, maintenance, insurance and employee salaries), vehicle hours, passengers, miles, number of vehicles, and cost of provider services. CARTS worked through 2009 to replace and expand fleet to help bring down the cost per trip. Fuel prices remain high in Alaska and the average trip length in recent years has increased.
Accomplishments: Replacing the entire fleet and developing a fleet replacement plan for long term stability.
Lessons learned: Designing a system that will please everyone is tough. Keep at it!
Municipality of Anchorage (1707) Alaska Community Services (611) ACS: Foster Grandparent & Senior Companions (967)
Location: Municipality of Anchorage (AK)
Type: Trip-Based Services/User-side subsidies/vouchers
Goal: Improved system capacity
Service description: Alaska Community Services and the Municipality of Anchorage, Public
Transportation Department, engage in a cooperative arrangement coordinating transportation services for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companions. These programs provide employment/volunteer opportunities for low-income seniors to work with Anchorages children in elementary schools, head start programs, and day care centers. Additionally, services are provided to other seniors in numerous residential and day activity environments, enhancing seniors’ ability to remain in the least restrictive and costly residential environments. The efforts of these volunteers enhance the lives of Anchorages youth and elders and contributes to our overall economic and social quality of life.
Evaluation: Without this funding over 50 individuals would not be able to continue working as Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. From our agency perspective the coordination effort has been a total success. Our Foster Grandparents are very pleased as well. Many of them speak English as a second language, and working with ACS staff facilitates a higher level of communications and understanding within our ridership.
Accomplishments: Over the past two years we have worked with the MOA to create a multi-faceted transportation effort which combines:
1. The purchase of rides
2. Purchase of bus passes for those who can use the People Mover.
3. Reimbursement of travel costs for individuals who find alternatives to using the overtaxed AnchorRIDES system.
4. ACS facilitates all requests for and cancellations for rides with AnchorRIDES. As a result, we have not had a “No Show” for nearly two years.
Prior to ACS assuming the responsibility for coordination of scheduling, “No Shows” occurred several times per month, both creating confusion as well as inefficiencies within the overall transportation effort.
Combined with capital and other funding we have provided two vehicles to the AnchorRIDES fleet. ACS continues to own these vehicles, and AnchorRIDES can use them to provide transportation in service areas outside the areas where Municipality owned vehicles are not authorized to operate.
Lessons learned: This effort has been a coordinated project involving Alaska Community Services, State of Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage, Rasmuson Foundation, and MV Transportation. The result of this cooperative effort has enhanced understanding of transportation issues between riders, service agencies, government, and transportation providers. We have been able to find new ways to provide services which were unavailable in the past. This is an example of how working together towards common goals can make positive impacts within communities.
Idaho Valley Regional Transit (1736) Valley Regional Transit (877) Mobility Manager (1365)
Location: Ada and Canyon County (ID)
Type: Information-Based Services/Mobility manager
Goal: Improved access/connections
Service description: Develop mobility management strategies based off of the region's transportation service coordination plan which intend to fill gaps in service while serving those with disabilities, those with low-income, and older adults.
Evaluation: Performance measure and evaluation criteria have been developed in the scope of the mobility management project. As projects are implemented, evaluation will occur.
Accomplishments: Development of the accessible cab project. Innovative elements - ride reimbursement and voucher program.
Lessons learned: Service has not been started - planning only
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