Background
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA – County Connection) and Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) staff brought the Contra Costa Mobility Management Plan to the CCTA Board at their January 15, 2014 meeting. Recommendations included adoption of the plan and subsequent implementation tasks.
After considerable discussion, The CCTA Board declined to formally adopt the plan. They did adopt the plan in concept, but directed staff to bring the plan back through the established local agency consultation process by way of the Regional Transportation Planning Committees (RTPCs). In preparation for this consultation I am bringing the plan to the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure (TWI) Committee for discussion and possible action.
The TWI Committee and the Board of Supervisors have established an interest in this issue as follows:
1. The issue of the Contra Costa Mobility Management Plan is on the 2014 referral list for the TWI Committee{1}.
2. While not directly related to this local initiative, both the State and Federal Contra Costa County Legislative Platforms refer to improvements in paratransit service{2}.
3. The Board of Supervisors has previously gone on record with CCTA as supporting the mobility management concept. At the conclusion of the CCTA’s Paratransit Improvement Study in 2004 the Board of Supervisors sent a letter to then CCTA Chair Amy Worth supporting certain recommendations of that study. Included in that support was the following which was a recommendation of that 2004 plan, “Establish a Coordination/Mobility Manager Function”.
Discussion
I have identified the following items that the TWI Committee may wish to discuss at our February meeting:
1. Dialog at the January 15, 2014 CCTA Board Meeting: A summary of the Mobility Management discussion item is in the attached 1/17/14 memo from the CCTA Executive Director. That memo is brief and is not intended to capture the complete tone or content of the discussion. I can provide additional information at the February TWI on the following issues that were discussed at the CCTA:
- The county is facing a “silver tsunami” which begs a response.
- Existing community based, and private providers have grown organically. While these organizations can provide good service in a cost effective manner this model is not stable in the long term. (JC: The County needs a system or model that is scalable in order to be reliably responsive to the “silver tsunami”.)
- Overall, the tone at the meeting indicated the willingness to move ahead with the plan but not necessarily be constrained by the recommendations; the possibility of more fundamental changes in service structure/provision was alluded to.
2. County Specific Obligations: The County may have transportation obligations that are unique relative to the Cities and CCTA. It is not likely that these issues will be brought up in any other forum.
In order to receive the best available information on these matters, I have contacted staff from Aging & Adult Services and the Contra Costa Health Plan requesting that they either provide material for consideration by the TWI Committee and/or appear at the February meeting to participate in the discussion.
3. County Staff Comments on the March 1, 2013 Draft Mobility Management Plan (Attached): Not all comments were addressed in subsequent versions of the plan. The TWI Committee may benefit from a discussion on some of the more critical issues and should consider bringing them to a future Board of Supervisors meeting and/or including them in a comment letter to CCTA (the number below corresponds to the numbering in the attached comment letter):
[1] Emphasizing or implementing “refined” eligibility protocols without accompanying service improvements may have outcomes that should be discussed with decision makers.
[3] This comment was made considering the study has countywide implications but the lead agency (County Connection) only has authority in central county. This information would have provided insight as to the countywide interest in, or viability of the plan.
[5 & 12] This issue was brought up during the recent discussion at CCTA. The proximity and success of the Santa Clara operation may warrant further examination.
[11] This comment was meant to gauge the support of other affected transit agencies and hopefully result in a more coherent process by which to move the plan forward. In addition, the composition of the proposed “Oversight Board” (page 34 of the attached Mobility Management Plan), and direction to that body should be discussed.
{1}2014 TWIC Referrals: 17. Review transportation plans and services for specific populations, including but not limited to County Low Income Transportation Action Plan, Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan for the Bay Area, Priorities for Senior Mobility, Bay Point Community Based Transportation Plan, Contra Costa County Mobility Management Plan, and the work of Contra Costans for Every Generation.
{2} State Platform: “140. SUPPORT regional coordination that provides for local input in addressing transportation needs. Coordinated planning and delivery of public transit, paratransit, and rail services will help ensure the best possible service delivery to the public. Regional coordination also will be needed to…” Federal Platform: "Transportation Funding for Disabled, Low-income, and Elderly Persons – Transit services for elderly, disabled, and low-income persons are provided by the County, by some cities, by all of the bus transit operators, and by many community organizations and non-profits that provide social services. Increased funding is needed to provide and maintain more service vehicles, operate them longer throughout the day, upgrade the vehicle fleet and dispatching systems, improve coordination between public providers and community groups that also provide such services to their clients, and expand outreach programs to inform potential riders of the available services, among other needs. The County supports continuation and increased funding levels for federal funding programs dedicated to transit services for these population groups. All of the demographic trends point to a growing need for such services in the future. For example, the 65-and-older population in the Bay Area is projected to more than double by the year 2030." |