HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 08 13 Regular A Transportation Alternatives for Citizens
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM A
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR X
August 13, 2001 MGR~ IDEPT ~f~
Meeting Authorization
REQUEST: Fire Department requesting the City Commission to discuss transportation
alternatives for citizens.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to present information that was directed by the City
Commission during the February 26,2001 City Commission Meeting, and to
obtain further direction on transportation matters for the citizens.
CONSIDERATIONS:
During the City Commission meeting held on February 26,2001 under Commissioner Martinez
report, the Commissioner was interested in alternatives for senior transportation. Further
discussion by the City Commission resulted in direction to bring back options for the City
Commission to consider. The information contained in Attachment 1 outlines information and
options available for the City to explore in providing transportation for seniors, physically and
medically challenged, and for general citizen purposes.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Commission to discuss the transportation options presented and provide
further direction to staff in this matter.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Transportation Report, dated July 2001
COMMISSION ACTION:
Transportation Report
City of Winter Springs
July 2001
Prepared by: Timothy J. Lallathin, Fire Chief
Prepared for: Ronald W. McLemore, City Manager
ATTACHMENT 1
Introduction
At the City Commission held on February 26,2001, Commissioner Martinez asked about senior
citizens and "The possibility of some transportation... and I would like to know, especially some
time between now and the preparation for next year's budget, how much this would be, and if we
can have it." The direction of the Commission was then to bring back some options for
consideration at a future City Commission meeting. The purpose of this transportation report was
to determine costs and alternatives to provide transportation services for both senior and
transportation challenged citizens. Interviews were conducted and non-binding quotes were
attained from local transportation entities. The estimates for supplies and services could most
likely be lower in a competitive bidding process for these services.
In addition, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners is currently conducting a
transportation study for the entire County and recommendations will be forthcoming in late
summer. The County has stated that their study will be a comprehensive transit study and will
include Cities within this County. Federal and State funds for transportation services are all
channeled through Metrop1an Orlando, which is an agency that distributes or authorizes funding
for transportation projects within Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
Finally, if funding for transportation sources outside of the General Fund of the City of Winter
Springs possibly would not be available if this was a transportation system that only benefited the
residents of Winter Springs.
Page 2
Background and Significance
The City of Winter Springs currently has no mass transportation network to service the major
road arteries located within the City limits. A portion of the City that extends to US Highway 17
& 92 has a Lynx bus route that provides hourly pickups along the route from 4:30 am until 3:05
am on weekdays and limited service for weekends. The Central Florida Regional Transportation
Authority (Lynx) provides transportation service in the Tri-County area of Orange, Osceola, and
Seminole Counties. Bus service for the county is dependent on subsidies from federal, state, and
local entities as well as rider fees that range from free to $2.00 per trip. The amount of funds
contributed annually by entities in Seminole County for transportation services specifically
provided by Lynx is included in the table below:
Altamonte Springs $100,000
Casselberry $0
Lake Mary $0
Longwood $0
Oviedo $67,000
Sanford $80,000
Seminole County $2,151,586
Winter Springs $0
The County advises that Lynx has asked for $400,000 in additional funds for the 2001-2002
budget year. This request, as well as other transportation problems have prompted the study that
was previously mentioned.
Page 3
Another type of transportation services besides the traditional bus service provided by Lynx is
para-transit services. Para-transit service is a door-to-door van service called A+ Link and is for
medically qualified and physically challenged customers. This service is generally available for
those on Medicare and/or Medicaid. The participants must register and pay a co-pay of between
$2 and $3 for this service, and an appointment must be made from one day to two-weeks before
the trip, and service is on a first come first serve basis.
Other private transportation vendors are available locally and are paid on a per trip basis. Some
operate as a traditional type taxicab service and the fare is dependent upon the distance traveled
and the time required for standby. Fees for taxicab service which is available in the City of
Winter Springs is $3.75 for the first mile, $1.75 for each additional mile, $0.30 per minute wait
time, and a tip. Lynx also subcontracts some of it's overfill services to local private providers.
Lynx pays the subcontractor a per trip price of approximately $15 for their service. As an
example a local subcontractor of Lynx, Seminole Transportation Services (STS) has 70 vehicles
in their fleet ranging from vans to small buses. STS averages 200 trips for Lynx per day in
Seminole County.
Neither the County nor any ofthe Cities provide transportation services on a continual basis. The
City of Altamonte Springs Parks and Recreation does have a 50 passenger bus that is used for
specific trips for summer camp, senior citizens, etc., and the City of Sanford Parks and
Recreation has a 15 passenger van that is used for similar purposes.
Page 4
Options
Although this list is not inclusive of all the options available, the following does explore some
alternatives to consider.
1. The first option is to inform citizens of services that are already available from
Lynx, A+Link, non-profit organizations, and private providers for persons who are
medically qualified and/or physically challenged. This information could be
distributed in the City newsletter and could explain the options as well as the nearest
location to access the services. Furthermore, the City could request that the County
consider funding a mass transit route along the SR Highway 434, SR Highway 419
and the Tuskawilla Road corridor. However, it is anticipated that the County would
request a contribution on behalf of the City, to the transportation fund for this type of
servIce.
2. A second option could be to subcontract on a per trip basis for those citizens
requiring this service within the City. As an example the Senior Citizen Center caters
to over 400 seniors per week. Of this amount approximately 20 per day are dependent
on others for transportation. At the $15 per trip per person basis, from the person's
door to the Senior Center, and a return trip, the fee for this service would total
$156,000 annually. However, this amount is subject to change as fewer trips maybe
required, and a lower negotiated fee could be attained with multiple passengers in the
same trip. STS was contacted about this option and the manager stated that "if the
City privately contracted their services for 20 passengers per trip, utilizing 2 vans and
a return trip within the City would likely cost $200 per day. This would equate to
approximately $52,000 annually for this service if it was utilized every weekday of
the year. Likewise, if implemented there could be a greater demand for this service
than the 20 per day trip average. Furthermore, a co-pay could be established to offset
the cost of this service.
Page 5
3. A third option could encompass the City purchasing a 24 to 30 passenger bus,
hiring a driver with a Commercial Drivers License, and providing appointment (from
home to Senior Center) and special event transportation services. Buses this size that
are handicap accessible and are medium duty service, range from $75,000 to
$120,000. These types of buses typically have a five to ten year life span. The first
year operational cost including personnel (one driver), fuel, maintenance, operational
expenses, and insurance total an estimated $45,000.
4. A fourth alternative could be to purchase a 15-passenger van costing
approximately $26,000 and have part-time or volunteer drivers with the proper drivers
license that assist in the senior activities and summer youth programs. This alternative
may be the least expensive but would require the Parks and Recreation staff to
provide qualified drivers for this service. However, this type of service may also have
limited availability due to personnel constraints and operating costs.
5. A final alternative could be to wait until Seminole County completes the
transportation study and makes recommendations that the City could further evaluate.
The following table outlines the costs associated with the above options:
Option Alternative City Cost Passenger Cost
1 Provide Information $0 $2.00 to Approximately
Only $25.00 depending on
service selected.
2 Contract Services $52,000 annual estimate Could establish a co-pay to
minimize annual costs.
3 Door to Door bus $120,000 to $165,000 Could establish a co-pay to
service and/or route first year. minimize annual costs.
established by the Approximately $45,000-
City. $50,000 year two.
4 Appointment basis $26,000 vehicle only. Could establish a co-pay to
City transportation minimize annual costs.
on an available
status.
5 County To Be Determined Unknown
Transportation Study
Page 6
Conclusion
The material presented is not a recommendation but merely a compilation of information. Other
alternatives could be derived from any combinations presented and is purely limited to the
amount of funding earmarked for this service. From interviews conducted with the Senior Center
Manager it appears that the seniors may be interested more in taxicab services instead of bus
service. Finally, the City could either subsidize services, go into transportation business itself,
provide information on available services, or await the outcome of Seminole County's
transportation study.
Page 7