LAWRENCE TRANSIT SYSTEM

PROPOSED FIXED-ROUTE AND PARATRANSIT SERVICE AND FARE POLICY CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

APRIL 11, 2007

The following is an overview of proposed fixed-route “T” and paratransit “T Lift” service and fare policy changes recommended by the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC). The Public Hearing on April 11, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the City Commission Room in City Hall will begin a 30-day public comment period providing the public with ample opportunity to submit written feedback about the proposed policies. At the end of the 30-day public comment period, PTAC will meet again in a special meeting planned for May 15, 2007, to discuss the feedback received and consider any possible changes. The Public Transit Administrator will then make a request to the City Manager that service and fare policy recommendations, along with public comment received, be presented to the City Commission for their review and approval. It is anticipated that upon City Commission approval new service and fare policies will be enacted by June 1, 2007. Final policy changes will be reflected in the fixed-route Guide to Ride and the How to Ride the T Lift Manual.

(1) Revised T Lift Certification Process – New applicants for T Lift service will be required to undergo a two-part certification process that involves having a qualified professional conduct an evaluation to verify a person’s disability. This will assist Lawrence Transit System staff in determining an applicant’s eligibility for T Lift ADA complementary paratransit service. PTAC subcommittee members thought it would be best for applicants to be able to choose any qualified professional to conduct the evaluation such as a: Physician (M.D. or D.O) or registered nurse; Physical or Occupational Therapist; Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or Mental Health Counselor; Vocational Counselor, Rehabilitation Specialist or Independent Living Skills Trainer; Licensed Social Worker or Case Manager; Orientation and Mobility Instructor or Travel Trainer; and Ophthalmologist.

(2) Included Recertification Process – There will no longer be a one-time certification. In an effort to keep the database current and purge the T Lift database of riders that no longer utilize the service due to moving out of the service area, death or some other valid reason, every T Lift certified rider will now be required to recertify for service eligibility every three (3) years. Current riders will be provided a six (6) month grace period to become recertified. In the meantime, those riders will still be eligible to schedule trips.

(3) Included Conditional Use Eligibility for T Lift Service on a Trip-by-Trip Basis – Transit system reservationists will evaluate the eligibility of trip requests for service by riders certified as conditional for T Lift at the time of scheduling on a trip-by-trip basis, due to the conditions listed in their certification. Reservationists will immediately inform the person scheduling the trip if the trip is deemed eligible based on conditions listed in their certification. If the trip is found not to be eligible, reservationists are to inform the rider about the availability of fixed-route T service as a viable option to complete the trip.

(4) Reduced T Lift Advanced Reservation Period – In an effort to reduce the high number of trip cancellations, the advanced reservation window has been shortened from fourteen (14) days to three (3) days or 72 hours.

(5) Eliminated Honor System Policy to Obtain Reduced Fare for T Service – In an effort to curb abuse by those riders seeking to obtain a reduced fare on regular T service that are questionable about meeting eligibility requirements, all transit patrons seeking a reduced fare will now have to prove that they are: either a K-12 student, Age 60+, or HINU student through a valid identification card or student ID. In order to receive a reduced fare, persons with disabilities will now have to provide a Medicare card, T Lift Photo Identification Card, or Valid Photo Identification from another public transportation system proving certification on their paratransit system. Riders who cannot provide proof of meeting any of the eligibility criteria will be charged a full-fare.

(6) Children Under Age 12 Must Be Accompanied by an Adult for T and T Lift Service – Children under age 12 will no longer be able to ride either T or T Lift service unattended and must be accompanied by an adult.

(7) Suspend T Lift Riders who Cancel 50% of Scheduled Trips over a 90-day period – Again in an effort to eliminate the high number of trip cancellations, riders who cancel 50% or more of their scheduled trips over a 90-day period will be subject to a 30-day suspension from service. Excessive cancellations impact others’ ability to schedule trips.

(8) Increased Fares for Fixed-Route T Service and T Lift Paratransit Service – Since the service began six years ago, the fare has not been increased. However, during this period, the cost of providing transit services has increased annually. In an effort to maintain current service levels and to make transit system improvements, fares on both T and T Lift will be increased, but in a phased approach. The fares proposed will bring transit fares in line with what other public transit service providers in neighboring metropolitan areas in Kansas currently charge for service.

T Fixed-Route Service:

Upon policy adoption by the City Commission, fixed-route one-way fares will increase from current amount of $0.50 to $0.75. Effective January 1, 2008, fares will increase from $0.75 to $1.00.

Reduced one-way fare will increase initially from current amount of $0.25 to $0.35 and then $0.50 effective January 1, 2008.

10-ride punch cards will increase initially from current amount of $5.00 to $7.50 and then $10.00 effective January 1, 2008.

Reduced 10-ride punch cards will increase initially from current amount of $2.50 to $3.50 and then $5.00 effective January 1, 2008.

Unlimited ride daily pass will be introduced. Initially the cost for full-fare will be $2.25 and then increase to $2.75 effective January 1, 2008. The cost for reduced fare will initially be $1.10 and then increase to $1.40 effective January 1, 2008.

Unlimited ride full-fare monthly passes will increase initially from current amount of $17.00 to $25.50 and then $34.00 effective January 1, 2008. A 15% discount on monthly bus pass is provided, based on 40 one-way trips.

Unlimited ride reduced-fare monthly passes will increase initially from current amount of $8.50 to $12.75 and then $17.00 effective January 1, 2008.

T Lift Paratransit Service:

Upon policy adoption by the City Commission, paratransit one-way fares will increase from $1.00 to $1.50. Effective January 1, 2008 fares will increase from $1.50 to $2.00.

10-ride punch cards will increase initially from current amount of $10.00 to $15.00 and then $20.00 effective January 1, 2008.

Unlimited ride monthly passes will increase initially from current amount of $34.00 to $51.00 and then $68.00 effective January 1, 2008. A 15% discount on monthly bus pass is provided, based on 40 one-way trips.