DEMAND RESPONSE TRANSPORTATION THROUGH A RURAL INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER
1999
by Mike Ward
THE NEED
Accessible, available transportation in rural communities is a rarity.
People with disabilities who do not drive or have access to a vehicle
are faced with a tremendous void when needing transportation. Friends,
family members and neighbors are frequently asked to fill this void. If
an individual uses a wheelchair but can't transfer into a vehicle, he
or she usually can't even rely on these resources.
Rural transit systems are few and far between. Until the last two to
three years, these systems had few lift-equipped vehicles. The rural transit
systems within the southeastern Oklahoma area have chosen to address the
transit needs of early childhood programs, rural schools, sheltered workshops
and rural colleges.
Rarely have the transit systems responded to the need for demand response
transportation. For individuals living in the county--outside of city
limits--the cost for demand response transportation, when available through
transit systems, is prohibitive.
Numerous public forums, sponsored by a variety of state and local agencies,
have consistently identified the extensive need for accessible public
transportation. Consumer requests for assistance in obtaining transportation
have always been one of the top requests of the Oklahomans for Independent
Living's information and referral service.
A PARTIAL SOLUTION
With these realities in place, the Oklahomans for Independent Living
(OIL) board of directors and staff decided to mount a campaign to obtain
a used lift-equipped mini bus. With the assistance of the McAlester Sertoma
Club and the Puterbaugh Foundation, Cash Development Corporation funds
were obtained to purchase a lift-equipped mini bus. After rebuilding the
engine, OIL put the bus into service for non-medical emergencies and to
transport individuals to OIL activities. The existence of the bus program
emphasized the need for "curb to curb" demand response transportation.
Such a program did not exist in southeastern Oklahoma. To meet this need,
OIL began an application process to obtain a 16-B-2 program, 14 passenger
lift-equipped bus through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services/ Division
on Aging. The application process took 18 months but ended in success.
With the new equipment, OIL was able to increase its outreach and peer
counseling programs to include activities away from the office, but the
need for a "curb to curb" demand response system still existed.
With funding available from the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council,
OIL was able to develop a "curb to curb" demand response transportation
program in June of 1995. The Transportation Project serves individuals
with disabilities, individuals who are non-ambulatory, individuals who
are elderly with functional limitations, and the general public. Services
are provided for the following trip purposes: medical, social/recreation,
shopping/general, employment, nutrition, and education. The service area
is Pittsburg County. On average, 300 different individuals utilize the
program to make 5,000 passenger trips per year.
However, when funding from the Oklahoma Developmental Disability Council
expired in June 1998, OIL needed to find other funding to continue the
service. The bus was paid for and the City of McAlester had been backing
the program by providing gas/oil, maintenance and insurance. Existing
staff could continue to take calls and do transportation scheduling. Funding
needed to be secured to pay for the driver/transportation specialist.
OIL requested that the City of McAlester help fund the driver/transportation
specialist position.
THE POWER OF CONSUMERISM
The request was initially included in OIL's annual funding request to
the city. However, the transportation portion of the request was not funded.
The OIL staff has always sold its programs to the city by demonstrating
their benefit to the citizens of McAlester and how the programs also benefit
the city government. The request for transportation support was removed
from the general OIL request and submitted separately on its own merit.
Rather than approach the city with a request that showed the need for
the program based on people's disabilities (the "because we are disabled"
approach), OIL approached the city with a request that demonstrated how
the transportation program not only benefitted people with disabilities
but also area businesses and the local economy.
During 1997/98, 333 individuals with disabilities used the transportation
program for a total of 5,526 passengers trips. OIL presented the city
with information that 115 area businesses benefitted directly from the
transportation program. People with disabilities were doing their shopping
and spending in these businesses.
OIL presented evidence that the buying pattern of people with disabilities
was local. They did not travel outside the area to metropolitan areas
such as Oklahoma City or Tulsa to buy goods and services. Sales tax revenue
from these transactions was being added to the City of McAlester coffers.
For the City of McAlester, the transportation program is good business.
It is a program that pays its way by mobilizing people with disabilities.
The key selling point to the city was the obvious economic impact of the
purchasing patterns of people with disabilities. The transportation program
enhanced purchasing capabilities by bringing people with disabilities
together with local businesses. Recognizing that the service had a significant
economic impact, the City of McAlester agreed to provide $9,800 towards
the operation of the program. The city also continued to provide gas,
oil, maintenance and insurance for the program.
Funding was also obtained from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
(ODOT) in the amount of $3,700. Historically, the ODOT has only funded
large transit systems located in urban areas. It had never funded a single
bus operation and was reluctant to start a new precedent. However, when
supplied with sufficient information on the OIL program and its impact
on the local economy, ODOT provided the funds. OIL had to assure ODOT
that the program was open to the public. OIL also used the opportunity
to provide disability awareness training to ODOT staff on the fact that
people with disabilities are part of the public and that they have worth
in their communities.
THE DEMANDS AND CONFLICTS OF BEING A SERVICE PROVIDER
OIL chose to develop the transportation program because of the immense
need. However, it can be a difficult program to maintain due to scheduling
demands, conflicts with consumers, personnel issues and maintenance problems.
Scheduling can be a problem when the demand is great and needs have to
prioritized. For example, an individual that uses a wheelchair and cannot
transfer needed to go to dialysis three times a week at the local hospital.
This creates a priority. In some situations, the transportation schedule
has to be adjusted to meet the needs of individuals who need to attend
to personal errands.
Another conflict occurs when consumers who need assistance do not bring
an attendant with them. It can be difficult for the driver to fill this
role and drive too. If contacted ahead of time, OIL can usually find a
volunteer to accompany the rider.
Most consumers are able to pay their way. OIL does charge a minimal fee
to ride. The maximum charge is $2.00 round trip. As an independent living
center, OIL strives to encourage independence and believes that a free
service would only foster increased dependency. However, occasionally
riders don't have the funds to pay. They usually make arrangements to
pay at a later date. No one is turned away because of an inability to
pay.
Kenneth Eddington, the driver/transportation specialist, is highly thought
of by the bus patrons, but even she needs an occasional day off, vacation,
or sick leave. Alternate drivers have to be found, usually other OIL staff.
This does, however, take them away from their regular duties. If enough
notice is given, an alternate driver can be obtained other than regular
OIL staff.
Non-routine maintenance can be the biggest headache: when the bus malfunctions
all transportation halts. Staff have to scurry to find alternate means.
Frequently there are none and trips have to be canceled. Also, these surprise
breakdowns are never simple problems to fix and can put the bus out of
commission for two to three weeks at a time. During that time, individuals
have to curtail their travel. This can be very difficult for the consumer.
Backup systems are not readily available.
Specific transportation gaps continue to exist. A one bus, one driver
system has its limits. The bus is only available for an eight hour time
period. The only transportation available after 5 pm is through a small
local cab company, and it is cost prohibitive. No accessible transportation
is available during the evening or on weekends.
CONCLUSION
OIL continues to advocate for "curb to curb" demand response
lift-equipped transportation. The City of McAlester has applied to the
Department of Human Services for a lift-equipped bus to support their
senior citizens programs. The KiBois Area Transit System has expanded
its services and is providing additional demand response transportation.
When these services are all in effect, a demand will still exist. Grassroots
organizations like OIL, disability specific laws such as the ADA, and
increased public awareness of people with disabilities are opening new
doors. Individuals with disabilities are opening new doors. Individuals
with disabilities are feeling welcome and comfortable in their hometowns.
They need transportation and they want to access their communities.
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