to view Short Range Transit Plan FY 2007/2008 - Tri Delta Transit

• 34% of DAR trips were subscription trips, i.e., pre-scheduledtrips that tend to repeat at the same times on the same days.All other trips were “on demand,” including advance and samedaybookings. About 30 same-day bookings were requested, ofwhich about 70% were accommodated.• 30% of DAR passengers use a wheelchair or scooter. Most DARpassengers do not require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle,although many are mobility limited and cannot walk far.• As summarized in Table 3.8, daily DAR ridership averaged 389boardings on weekdays, 106 on Saturdays and 49 on Sundays.• Peak travel times are between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. andfrom 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Individual drivers indicated peaktimes between 7:00 a.m. and Noon, and from 3:00 p.m. to5:00 p.m. DAR peaks start later and end earlier than traditionaltransit peak periods.• Most DAR trips were within the same communities, with triporigins and destinations scattered throughout each communityand the service area. No destinations dominated, but importantlocations served included Los Medanos Community College,Kaiser Medical Clinic (Antioch), the Antioch Dialysis Clinic,Pittsburg Health Center, Somersville Towne Center, ContraCosta County Social Services, Commercial Support, and BART.DAR Compliance with ADA RegulationsThe Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires transitagencies that provide fixed route service to operate complementarydemand responsive service to potential transit users who are unable touse fixed route transit due to a disability. This service must be“equivalent” to the FR service as much as possible. ADA regulationsdefine the minimum level of service required only apply to demandresponsive services when delivered to ADA-eligible persons, and haveno effect on demand-responsive services when also provided to non-ADA eligible patrons. Many paratransit systems including Tri DeltaTransit provide a level of service exceeding minimum ADArequirements. However, in cases where agencies provide serviceexceeding these requirements, it is important to closely reviewcompliance with ADA regulations in order to avoid liability under thoserules. In most cases, close adherence to ADA requirements can oftenreduce operating expenses and more effectively manage paratransitdemand.Tri Delta Transit met applicable ADA requirements, and exceeded themin a number of cases, including (1) a service area exceeding the ¾mile radius from fixed routes in a number of areas; (2) providingservice to non-ADA clients; (3) accommodating same day bookings;(4) providing “door to door” service rather than just “curb to curb”,e.g., drivers are allowed to assist passengers to/from the door of theirorigins and destinations, and to assist with a limited number ofpackages.44