> News+Events > Features > Transit - July 2009

Dial-a-ride restructuring effort moves forward

Council approves operating guidelines, sets fare hearings

Efforts to restructure community-based dial-a-ride services throughout the metro area moved forward in July when the Metropolitan Council approved several standard operating guidelines and authorized public hearings for proposed service fares.

The restructuring effort, which began in 2008, will provide dial-a-ride transit services that are equally available to all members of the general public throughout the seven-county metropolitan area where fixed-route transit is not available. In addition, the effort will establish a consistent set of operating parameters – such as a single phone number for reservations, consistent hours of operation and a uniform window for advanced trip reservations – for all providers.

“The goal of restructuring dial-a-ride services is to provide greater consistency in this service throughout the region,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell. “Each county has a role in determining standard operating guidelines. Ultimately, we want to make sure the rider who boards a dial-a-ride bus in Anoka has the same experience as a rider in West St. Paul.” 

Four metro-area counties have chosen the Council to administer dial-a-ride services in their area. Anoka County, and Carver and Scott counties – which have a current partnership to provide transit services – will continue to operate their services as they do today.

Dial-a-ride serves nearly half million people

In 2008, more than 450,000 riders used dial-a-ride services in the seven-county metro area. The Council provides about $5 million per year to dial-a-ride programs throughout the region, often augmented by local funding. Currently, 14 different government and nonprofit organizations provide the region’s dial-a-ride services.

Dial-a-ride transit is different from ADA-certified service. Anyone in the general public may access dial-a-ride services. Riders may become ADA-certified, and access Metro Mobility or local ADA transit services, by meeting several criteria. Typically, ADA-certified riders require additional assistance, due to physical disabilities.

Plan proposes service guidelines and fares

The operating guidelines approved by the Council established the following standards for service:

• Minimum service hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Scheduling hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Riders may schedule trips up to five business days in advance

 

In addition, the guidelines provide flexibility for counties to provide additional service, such as weekend trips, if local funds are available to support it. Other guidelines provide for how long a vehicle will wait for passengers, and procedures for coordinating with Metro Transit and regional bus routes.

Proposed fares are based on the distance a rider is traveling:

DISTANCE	PROPOSED FARE
Trip less than 10 miles	$2.25 each way
Trips between 10 and 20 miles	$4.50 each way
Trips greater than 20 miles	$6.75 each way

ADA certified riders pay a maximum of $4.50 per direction, regardless of distance. Group discounts will also be available.

Public hearing schedule.

In addition to attending a hearing, members of the public can also comment by emailing the Regional Data Center at data.center@metrocouncil.org. Comments can be mailed to the Data Center at 390 N. Robert Street, St. Paul 55101 or faxed to 651.602.1464. Recorded phone messages can be directed to 651.602.1500 (TTY 651.291.0904). The public comment period closes Sept. 28.

Counties help to shape new service parameters

A dial-a-ride advisory committee, composed of transit and human services staff from each of the seven metro-area counties, helped establish the operating parameters for the restructured dial-a-ride services. The group began meeting in April, and will continue to meet through the implementation process.

Tim Kirchoff, supervisor of transit operations and planning for Anoka County, serves on the advisory committee. He said he supports the restructuring and understands the Council’s need to provide better service coordination throughout the region. He said organizing the service through each county is a good plan.

“This is going the direction that I’d like to see things go,” he said, adding the suggested operational guidelines align well with existing practices in his county. He also noted that several counties on the advisory committee have significant experience in providing transit services and the committee provided a chance to share that experience.

It was important to have both the transit and human services representatives on the committee, he said. In particular, he suggested human services and transit departments could work together better in maximizing resources to serve clients.