Meeting_Body
FINANCE, BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2023
Subject
SUBJECT: ACCESS SERVICES - QUARTERLY UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Access Services - ADA Paratransit.
Issue
ISSUE
This is a quarterly update on Access Services (Access).
Background
BACKGROUND
Access is the Los Angeles County transit agency that provides paratransit services on behalf of Metro and 45 other fixed route operators, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Eligibility for Access is based on a person's ability to utilize accessible fixed-route buses and trains in Los Angeles County; Access currently has 112,000 registered riders. Access' paratransit service is a next-day, shared-ride, curb-to-curb service with additional assistance available to qualified individuals. The service is operated by six contractors in the following regions: Eastern, Southern, West Central, Northern, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valley. Access provides service to customers traveling between locations within 3/4 of a mile of local bus routes and rail lines. Customers call Access service providers directly to make trip reservations or can book trips online.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Service Restoration
During the first part of FY23, Access focused on the operational challenges as outlined below:
* Qualified drivers/key personnel: Access' six contractors report that labor shortages are easing compared to FY22 due to increased wages and expanded efforts in marketing job opportunities.
* Continuing shortages of taxi subcontractor capacity: Access continues to face challenges with taxicab shortages, with only 32 percent of Access' trips currently being serviced by taxicabs compared to 50 percent pre-pandemic. At this time, contractors still report difficulties in attracting additional taxi resources to the paratransit system, given the attractiveness of cash fares. In response, as detailed late...
Click here for full text