[Colorado-Talk] Fwd: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Update

Wed Jul 24 20:53:03 UTC 2024

Greetings:

On July 24, 2024, Julie Reiskin wrote:

"If the buses and trains ran frequently and people felt safe would more people use the fixed route?"

I think the answer to that question would be a qualified "maybe!" The qualification relates to where the buses and trains run, whether or not there are areas of the transit area that are not covered, and whether or not the system is designed well enough to minimize the wait times where transfers need to occur. Anyone who rides the trains and buses in Denver know that there are well-covered areas and areas where public transit is virtually nonexistent. The one thing that RTD has never been able to fix is minimizing the amount of time a person has to wait when transferring between different buses, between a bus and a light rail train, or vice versa.

Although I myself happen to live near a bus stop (a five minute distance by walking), there are people where I live who live quite far from the nearest bus stop--perhaps a thirty-minute walk distant. This is a disincentive to using bus transportation.

Cordially,

Curtis Chong

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie Reiskin via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 2:39 PM
To: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
Cc: Julie Reiskin <jreiskin at ccdconline.org>; NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Fwd: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Update

I think the key is making public transit something people who do have choices want to use--in cities where everyone uses transit it is a totally different experience.   As long as transit is only for us and others who have no other choice it will continue to be substandard.  I think people gravitate to access on demand instead of the bus because of the lack of frequency, lack of feeling safe, etc.    If the buses and trains ran frequently and people felt safe would more people use the fixed route?

--

With Gratitude

Julie Reiskin

Co-Executive Director
Email Address: jreiskin at ccdconline.org <mailto:jreiskin at ccdconline.org> 

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
1385 S. Colorado Blvd. Bldg. A., Suite 610
Denver, CO 80222
Organizational phone: 303-839-1775 | Direct Phone: 303-667-4216

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On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 2:01 PM Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com <mailto:burke.dall at gmail.com> > wrote:

I want to add my voice to those of Curtis and Julie R. I think the peer review could result in a scale-back of Access-onDemand. It's an innovative approach with which few peers may have had any experience, and there have also been unintended consequences in terms of the surge of paratransit applications and acceptances since Access-on-Demand came on the scene. And the rationale that the cost of Access-on-Demand costs far less than the standard Access-A-Ride  could reach a tipping point because of increased users and the lack of incentive to wait for price surges to subside if the first $25 is covered no matter what. what happens when all these factors result, not in cost savings for RTD's paratransit, but cost increases?

Full disclosure: I regularly ride with blind friends who have Access-on-Demand. But it feels to me like we're may be due for a swing-back of the pendulum.

Dan

On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 12:21 PM Julie Reiskin via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Curtis

I am glad you raised this issue because it has to be discussed.  I expect if the RTD ballot measure does not pass and the agency is forced to cut services the leniency of eligibility will end.  The law says paratransit is required for people that cannot use fixed route with or without accommodations.   I think the fact that RTD is running at 60% capacity still on pandemic schedule coupled with the improved service one gets using Access on Demand is driving more people that might have used fixed route at least some of the time to paratransit.   

I see this as an issue for the entire disability community to discuss internally --we fought for integrated transportation.  What do we do when the integrated model does not work?  Is the problem we see with RTD disability related or not?   I do not have an answer but am glad the question is raised because it bears discussion.     I also think in many cases untangling if not using fixed route is or is not disability related is challenging.

--

With Gratitude,

Julie Reiskin

Co-Executive Director
Email Address: jreiskin at ccdconline.org <mailto:jreiskin at ccdconline.org> 

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
1385 S. Colorado Blvd. Bldg. A., Suite 610
Denver, CO 80222
Organizational phone: 303-839-1775 | Direct Phone: 303-667-4216

Looking for ways to support our mission? Follow these links:
Join our membership for free <https://ccdconline.org/take-action/membership/>  | Online giving <https://www.ccdconline.org/donate/>  | Other ways to support <http://www.ccdconline.org/donate/other-ways-to-give/> 

*CCDC is headquartered in Denver*; we acknowledge that Denver is on the occupied land of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne people

Nothing about us without us - ever!

 <https://ccdconline.org/> Error! Filename not specified.

... <https://www.facebook.com/CCDC.CO> Error! Filename not specified. <https://twitter.com/CCDC501c3> Error! Filename not specified.

Click the logos above or the text here to connect with us at ccdconline.org <https://ccdconline.org/> , Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/CCDC.CO> , or Twitter <https://twitter.com/CCDC501c3> 

On Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 9:22 AM Curtis Chong via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Hello everyone:

Thank you, Maryann, for circulating this email to the broader community. I shudder to think what recommendations will come out of the panel given that few, if any, of us were contacted to provide information and/or comments to this panel. In my experience talking to folks across the country, a service like Access-on-Demand is not something that commonly exists. Despite the multiple stops issue being a point of contention here, what we have with Access-on-Demand seems to be something that is not being modeled by other paratransit delivery systems.

One thought that has crossed my mind (and please don't shoot me here) is that RTD's eligibility criteria to qualify for paratransit services seems to be incredibly flexible--to the point where even people with low vision and no other physical issues are qualifying for paratransit services--ad by extension, Access-on-Demand. Rumor has it that the number of paratransit customers now being served by RTD has grown considerably since Access-on-Demand was introduced. Is this what paratransit should be doing?

Hopefully, during the month of August, we will get a better idea as to what the panel will be recommending to RTD. Folks, stay tuned.

Kind regards,

Curtis Chong

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Maryann Migliorelli via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 8:50 PM
To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Maryann Migliorelli <maryannmigs at gmail.com <mailto:maryannmigs at gmail.com> >
Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Fwd: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Update

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Debra A. Johnson <generalmanager at rtd-denver.com <mailto:generalmanager at rtd-denver.com> >
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Subject: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Update
To: <maryannmigs at gmail.com <mailto:maryannmigs at gmail.com> >

In early March 2024, you received an email announcing that RTD had commissioned a peer review...

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Good evening, Access-a-Ride customer.

In early March 2024, you received an email announcing that RTD had commissioned a peer review of the agency’s paratransit operations and service delivery. In the public transit industry, peer reviews are used to analyze a broad range of issues including but not limited to transit operations, organizational efficiency, and program management.

The peer review launched in April 2024, was led by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and included industry subject-matter experts with geographical representation across the country. The on-location portion of the peer review occurred in May 2024 when the reviewers met with staff, customers, and community stakeholders.

The panel was engaged at RTD’s request to assess the agency’s traditional Access-a-Ride paratransit and Access-on-Demand services, including aspects such as:

*	Model program parameters, including responsible cost controls and sound customer-facing processes
*	Tools to ensure optimal service performance and cost-effectiveness
*	Adherence with federal paratransit requirements, and
*	Best practices at similar transit agencies

As you may be aware, APTA peer reviews are conducted by subject-matter experts who volunteer their time to assist agencies. It was initially anticipated that RTD would receive the panel’s final report no later than June 28, 2024, as stated during the RTD Board meeting on May 29, 2024. However, due to a personal, unforeseen emergency with one of the volunteer reviewers, the timeline had to be adjusted. The final peer review report is now expected on or before July 31, 2024. Information from the report, which will include observations and recommendations, will be shared with RTD’s Board of Directors.

RTD is focused on ensuring all mobility services are delivered equitably and in alignment with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). For the Access-on-Demand program to continue, it needs to be both equitable and sustainable. The peer review will provide RTD with enhancement opportunities that are meant to support its continued success and service to customers.

I recognize that there have been many questions about the Access-on-Demand program and concerns about recent changes to its operations. Your patience and understanding as RTD has taken the time to undertake this holistic and careful peer review have been greatly appreciated.

Staff will continue to collaborate with the Access-a-Ride Paratransit Advisory Committee, an advocacy group comprised of individuals dedicated to improving Access-a-Ride services, to solicit feedback and examine solutions. Further, RTD has created a  <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uFgz8qjJX8GbC0N5rNyv87Q3DIKJijK-nE7ZDSDgIpuEE1CUVkqx3-2JTiNG6gMigSZaXH0ZCXX8fT5sC3PwzRG4jD7d4XL7LKCF0gVO1trBxhxf5225Mi4kwUadGFrHgQb3a34snOsULCamqdGrG0UfY6G_38JQE94eo6kwMoEBcJGAUPnig1r2pijO3Gqg&c=49AQXrg7lNZ-soAandwwhzAmtPk71ykb1JvE9IGFzD9SPARzfB3TcA==&ch=sMD_r5Mv8vGCTx8MspHwilwISmrT_kh-vRjRBpa2gug5rG1rX0sNoQ==> dedicated webpage to garner feedback on this matter.

In closing, thank you for your continued patronage and patience as RTD strives to make lives better through connections.

Sincerely,

––Debra

Debra A. Johnson

General Manager and CEO

 <mailto:generalmanager at rtd-denver.com> generalmanager at rtd-denver.com

The  <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uFgz8qjJX8GbC0N5rNyv87Q3DIKJijK-nE7ZDSDgIpuEE1CUVkqx34wGsMhiRhUt_v9CSCweC4qx0q6VVVe37CPu-BxhnyeRYM0TcVyTdxLzdtAFU77Ytvwc5QgjBM6SJvfbRkAAldrIYcf6okWu2_f_o4VHLwCZ&c=49AQXrg7lNZ-soAandwwhzAmtPk71ykb1JvE9IGFzD9SPARzfB3TcA==&ch=sMD_r5Mv8vGCTx8MspHwilwISmrT_kh-vRjRBpa2gug5rG1rX0sNoQ==> Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. With a service area of 2,342 square miles, RTD provides transit services in all or part of eight counties and more than 40 municipalities. The transportation agency's services are delivered via 126 bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit mobility options.

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"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"

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