Meeting_Body
FINANCE, BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: ACCESS SERVICES - SEMI-ANNUAL UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Access Services - ADA Paratransit.
Issue
ISSUE
This is a semi-annual update on Access Services (Access) focusing on Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 operational performance, community engagement efforts and year-to-date financial status on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services in the region.
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 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 118,000 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 in the six regions directly to make trip reservations or book trips online.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Operational Performance (July 2024 - December 2024)
As of December 2024, Access has provided more than 2.3 million passenger trips, a 12.5 percent increase compared to the first six months of FY 2024. This ridership rebound is driven by a return to pre-pandemic travel patterns and the significant recovery of adult day health programs, whose ridership has substantially increased since the pandemic. Access contractors are currently fully staffed in all six regions. Year-to-date (YTD) ridership exceeds pre-pandemic levels, and Metro st...
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