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Agenda Item # 9

BOARD MEMORANDUM

BACKGROUND:

VTA’s Accessible Services Department has begun to develop a Mobility Options Program.   The Mobility Options Program will enable freedom, opportunity and independence for older adults and individuals with disabilities.   This program is designed to provide our customers with knowledge, skills and confidence to choose the mode of transportation that best suits their needs.

According to research cited by Peggy Groce, Director of the Office of Travel Training in New York City and past president of the Association of Travel Instruction,   “…independent mobility and travel are essential skills for increased participation, performance and independence at work, at home and in the community.   The skills and behaviors required to travel safely and independently are very similar to the skills and behaviors necessary for success in employment, vocational training and post-secondary education.”  VTA’s Mobility Options Program will focus on providing seniors and people with disabilities opportunities to develop travel skills that will allow them to reach their desired destinations in the least restrictive environment.

DISCUSSION:

The Mobility Options Program will be offered to a variety of individuals.   These individuals are expected to be seniors, persons with disabilities, persons who either do not drive or do not have access to an automobile, persons who wish to conserve natural resources by minimizing the use of private automobiles, out of concern for the environment, and people who wish to reduce their transportation costs.   The services to be offered through the Mobility Options/Travel Training Program will include:

• Group Travel Instruction:   Curriculum is designed for those with fairly high functional travel related skill levels.   Curriculum will include trip planning, understanding transit systems, safety, and will include a practical field trip using VTA’s fixed route services.  This instruction will be provided by VTA’s Accessible Services staff.
• Tailored One-on-One Travel Instruction:   This is a generalized travel instruction that will teach consumers the skills for more independent travel.   Curriculum will be more in-depth and geared to the customer’s individual travel needs.  Instruction will be one-on-one with the instructor in the field and will focus on specific routes that the customer will be using, beginning from the customer’s home to a final destination and back.  This instruction will be provided by VTA’s Accessible Services staff.
• Specialized Training:   For our consumers with visual disabilities and require the training assistance of an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O & M Trainer), VTA will refer them to an O & M Trainer for specialized travel training.   Appropriate training will also be made available to persons with cognitive or developmental disabilities that may require in-depth specialized travel training as well.  VTA will contract out those specialized training services, as appropriate.
• Peer Model Travel Instruction: Peer Model Travel Instruction is based on a “buddy” system of training and skill monitoring.   Peer models are volunteers who are experienced with fixed route services.  Peer model instructors assist new riders by accompanying them on specific fixed route trips, thus helping to alleviate some of the fears often associated with using public transportation. This form of travel instruction would be provided by VTA’s   “community partners” that volunteer to serve as “Bus Buddies”.  There will be an application process that will involve a security check, as well as training by VTA Staff.

The expected results of the Mobility Options/Travel Training Program will include:

• Increased use of fixed route services by program participants
• Decreased use of Paratransit by Paratransit eligible program participants who opt to use fixed route services
• Reduced use of private automobiles, thus improving air quality, and reduction of the use of non-renewable fossil fuels
• Reduced traffic congestion (San Jose ranked No.8 in the country for worst traffic congestion)
• Enhanced participant appreciation of the benefits of independent travel (i.e., personal benefits, skills obtained, independent mobility options developed)
• Enhanced positive assessments of Valley Transportation Authority as the public transportation provider for Santa Clara County (i.e. transportation needs being met with provision of training and assistance by understanding and supportive staff).

The Mobility Options Program will include a Mobility Action Task Force Committee.   The Mobility Task Force Committee will be comprised of transit professionals, members of social services and disability communities who will work together to support opportunities for independent travel.

This committee will work to provide independent travel skills and travel option awareness to Santa Clara County residents through a collaborative approach based on the individual committee member’s experiences.

Group Travel Instruction is expected to begin in November, with one-on-one instruction to follow shortly thereafter.   Specialized Training for people with visual, cognitive or developmental disabilities will begin when a suitable vendor is secured.   Peer Model Travel Instruction is expected to occur in late spring or early Summer of 2008.

The budget for the Mobility Options Program is $90,000 for 2007-2008 and $60,000 for 2008-2009.   These budget amounts reflect the costs for promotional materials, training materials and student supplies, Specialized Travel Trainers, Peer Modeling Program costs, staff training costs, and VTA staff trainers’ costs.

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