San Luis Obispo - Caltrans - State of California

SAN LUIS OBISPO REGION
COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICES-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PLAN
• Migrant populations’ needs are not well known but clearly involve transportation and
traveling distances of 25 to 40 miles and more between work locations and inexpensive
housing.
• In South County, there is a day-time shelter but no overnight shelter and so consumers
may have to come to SLO; a long trip particularly for those in Nipomo.
• Transit operating hours end too early in evening; e.g. in Atascadero, the Paso Robles
transit connection stops at 6 p.m. but the shelter on Traffic Way (Atascadero) closes at 7
p.m.; retail and restaurant workers routinely work until 10 p.m. when stores close.
• Atascadero’s public transit stops at 7 p.m.; difficulty to get to shelter on Traffic Way at
Baptist Church which closes at 7 p.m.
• Transit operating hours don’t start early enough in mornings; many service workers have
to leave for work between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Employment in service industries often
requires earlier transit services.
• Later operating hours, employment options often require later travel and weekend travel;
corridor in South County is along Grand/ 4 th Street and Rt. 101.
• Need Rt. #10 (SLO) to start earlier than 8 a.m. for help in getting consumers to jobs that
start before then.
• Templeton low income housing exists at Villa Paseo (HUD Section 8) housing but no
transit to Target across the freeway. Some not moving into this facility because there is
no transit or limited service. Templeton Shuttle runs only 6 days per week.
• Some use of Ride-On and Runabout. Report that some riders have been listed as “no
shows” the vehicle arrived early and they were not ready (either Ride-On or Runabout).
• Employment-related trips very difficult for those living on the north side of the Grade and
needing to get to San Luis Obispo main campus and Cuesta College by 9 a.m. for
employment training resources.
• Times of travels for lowest income workers are tied to service industries: retail,
restaurants with 10 p.m. end-of-shifts; motels (ok as finished in late afternoon);
hospitality industry with early morning and late evening shift changes.
• Timing difficult for those traveling by bus from North County or Paso Robles to jobs or
services in SLO between 8 and 5 p.m.; okay traveling in but difficult getting back since
September 2006, hourly service till 8:30 p.m. reaches Paso Robles at 9:40 p.m.
• Police department is asked for transit information after-hours and then for transit
assistance when no other alternatives exist.
• Medical trips are difficult to serve: Atascadero around El Camino Real and Morro Road;
trips into Santa Barbara; trips to medical facilities in San Luis Obispo from various parts
of the county; trips down to Los Angeles or up to Stanford for medical purposes.
• Medical trips from San Miguel needed; Ride-On providing some.
• Department of Social Services (DSS) agency does have some vehicles but these are not
accessible; little training opportunities or coordinating scheduling of these.
• Medical trips provided by Community Health Center – picking up consumers and
transporting them to medical appointments.
• DSS provides mileage reimbursement and (universal pass) bus fare media; numbers of
passes purchased or mileage reimbursement levels not readily available.
• Interest in Regional Rideshare and vanpools as alternatives for consumers.
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OCTOBER 2007