Short Range Transit Plan 2008-2013 - Omnitrans

IBI GROUP
SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN REPORT
OMNITRANS COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
& SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN
2.3 Access Service
The following information on Access service is provided for background and reference. No substantive
changes are contemplated to Access service in FY 2008, other than adjusting the service area to match
the fixed route service changes implemented in May 2007. Any changes to Access service will come in
the out-years of the six-year SRTP timeframe.
2.3.1 DEFINITION OF ACCESS SERVICE
Access Service is the Omnitrans ADA complementary paratransit service for persons who are physically
or cognitively unable to use regular fixed route transit.
2.3.2 SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that fixed route transit operators provide, or ensure
the provision of, “complementary” (i.e., comparable) paratransit service for those individuals who,
because of their disability, cannot use the regular general public fixed route service. Omnitrans had an
area-wide community transit program serving seniors, people with disabilities, and social service agencies
prior to the ADA civil rights regulations enacted in 1991. With implementation of its ADA Complementary
Paratransit Plan, Omnitrans continued to provide community transit through its Core Access Service, but
expanded the days and hours of operation for people eligible for ADA complementary paratransit service
to match the times of fixed route availability. Access is provided on a curb-to-curb basis. The current
contractor is First Transit. First Transit assumed responsibility for Access operations on July 1, 2006.
According to U.S. Census data, Access’ client base is growing, although perhaps not quite at the same
rate as the rest of the County. While the total countywide population grew by 20.5% from 1990 to 2000,
the population aged 65 and older increased by 17.3% (from 124,900 to 146,459). Seniors comprised
8.8% of the total population in 1990, but only 8.6% in 2000 (compared to a statewide average of 10.6%
that year). Seniors are not allowed to ride Access based solely on the fact that they are seniors, but
nevertheless, a large portion of Access' ridership base is made up of seniors. Comparison of data for
people with disabilities is not as readily available, due to changes in reporting definitions and categories,
but a total of 302,693 individuals in San Bernardino County reported some form of disability in 2000
(19.8% of the civilian non-institutionalized population aged five or older).
Service Area Coverage
Access service is available through the Omnitrans service area within a 3/4 mile radius either side of an
existing Omnitrans regular bus route.
Service Span
Access provides service seven days a week. The hours of service are presented in Figure 2-7. Access
does not operate on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day.
Figure 2-7: Access Service Days and Span of Service (as of July 1, 2007)
Days
Monday – Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Hours of Service
4:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Effective July 1, 2007, the disability identification card (D-card) will no longer be valid on Access.
Cardholders will have until January 2008 to complete the ADA application form.
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