More than Aging: Transportation on a Continuum

1. 40th Annual Conference SuperConference More than Aging: Transportation on a Continuum Lynn Gustafson, Director, North Oakland Transit Authority Ride Roberta Habowski, Mobility Project Manager, AAA 1-B Ruth Johnson, Assistant Director, Transportation Riders United Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice President Community Investment, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

2. Outline • Setting the stage • Background from speakers • Small group conversations • Large group action items & debrief

3. Elizabeth Sullivan Vice President, Community Investment Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan esullivan@cfsem.org 313.961.6675

4. Transportation and Social Equity • Transportation disadvantaged persons include the elderly, people with disabilities, poor people, women and people that live in rural communities • Opportunity follows mobility: transportation promotes access to jobs, health care, and groceries • High transportation costs compromise household savings

5. Aging Americans: Stranded Without Options • Over one in five older Americans does not drive • Compared to older drivers, non-drivers make: • 15% fewer trips to the doctor • 59% fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants • 65% fewer trips for social, family and religious activities • A compounding picture of social isolation

6. Current state of Senior transportation in Michigan • An extensive, but unorganized network of providers • 465 agencies statewide • Public transit providers provide almost three quarters of Michigan’s senior transportation trips • More that 1 million older licensed older drivers

7. Michigan Elder Mobility & Safety Task Force Recommendations • Put more resources into transportation services at all levels: Federal, State, local & private • Increase coordination: solutions must be integrative, practical and multi-modal • Increase public education to improve knowledge and comfort level with using transportation services

8. Lynn Gustafson Director, North Oakland Transit Authority notaride@sbcglobal.net 248.236.9273

9. North Oakland Transportation Authority • History of NOTA – An example of Rural Transportation • Established in 2001 by 3 local governments – Oxford, Orion, Addison Townships • Demand response, door to door, free service for residents • Transports seniors, disabled and low income residents • Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Weekend service 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Call ahead for appointments 48-72 hours ahead of time • 18 Vehicles with wheelchair lifts • Website: www.notaride.org • Challenges with Rural Area Transportation • Senior Transportation Challenges

10. Continuum of Services • Funding is vital concern for sustainability • Local Governments (25%) • CDBG • Municipal Credit • Social Service Agency Partners (25%) • Grants (50%) • Operations • Capital Grants for vehicles • Donations – minimal • Maintenance of the Vehicles • Keeping Expenses Low

11. Coordinated transportation plan • Collaboration is required for funding • Coordinated Plan Definition • “A locally developed, coordinated, public transit-human services transportation plan identifies thetransportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adultsand people with low incomes, provides strategies for meeting those local needs and prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation. • Addresses concerns of rural region as a whole • Collaborative Grant Writing • Create a Non Urban Transportation Plan of your own • If one already exists, make sure your organization and it’s needs are included in your region’s plan in order to apply for funding.

12. Rural transportation grant opportunities • JARC (Job Access), New Freedom and 5310 Grants (Disabled and Seniors) now combined in MAP-21 • MAP-21 is new transportation legislation • “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” • Effective September 1, 2012 for 2 years • Grants can be written for operations , capital and mobility management • Grant you apply for used to have to be derived from plan, now it must be included in plan • See website: fta.dot.gov/map21 for more information

13. Freedom Road transportation • A new transportation alternative example • How the service works: • Must be a resident of Oakland County • Must be a senior, disabled, veteran or low income • Rider finds their own driver and the driver gets reimbursed for up to 100/miles a month at $.55/mile • 10 day application process • Low Overhead Operation • Limited salary • No purchase of vehicles • Website: freedomroadtransportation.org

14. Roberta Habowski Mobility Project Manager, Area Agency on Aging 1-B rhabowski@aaa1b.com 248.262.9211

15. One Call/One Click Mobility Management System • Incorporates driving education, awareness and cessation • Public, private and volunteer transportation options • Complete Streets philosophies • Focus on individual • Focus on whole trip • Centralized information • Person Centered Advocacy

16. Overview • Toll-free phone line - 855-myride2 (697-4332) • Live transfers to transit providers • Rider only has to give information one time • Interactive web site – can search for providers, request a ride, get information: www.myride2.com • Scheduling software in future • Available in Oakland and Macomb counties *Does not provide transportation*

17. Key Partners • MDOT – supported first work on educating seniors To develop Mobility Management Service: • Jewish Family Service (JFS), SMART, SEMCOG, Regional Elder Mobility Alliance (REMA) • Partnered with JFS to apply for New Freedom/JARC grant dollars • Engaging Disability Network Oakland Macomb (DNOM) • The Senior Alliance – expansion into western Wayne county

18. The mission: dignified, affordable transportation by private automobile for older adults and the visually impaired, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any purpose within the service area. • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any type of ride within the service area, with no limitations on ride purpose • Rides are provided in private automobiles by trained drivers • Serves seniors 60+, and adults with visual impairments • Rides may be booked at any time; discounts are applied for shared rides and advance notice • Sustainable through fares from those who use the service and voluntary local community support, without • the use of taxpayer dollars

19. How it Works • ITN members are charged an annual membership fee (approximately $50 for an individual) and they also establish a prepaid Personal Transportation Account based upon estimated usage. • Pick-up and mileage charges are debited from the member’s Personal Transportation Account - no cash changes hands at the time of a ride • ITN members may trade their cars for credits to their Personal Transportation Account which can be used for rides • Volunteer drivers receive credits for their miles, which are stored electronically for – • Their own future mobility needs, or • Transfer to a family member for their mobility needs, or • Donation to an ITN scholarship fund for low-income riders.

20. Communities Served Local service area includes: • Oakland County: Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Franklin, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy, West Bloomfield • Detroit: Neighborhoods of Bagley, Detroit Golf Club, Green Acres, Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest and University District. • Special destination areas: along the Woodward Corridor include Midtown & Downtown Detroit cultural, entertainment and health care locations. www.itnmetrodetroit.net

21. Ruth Johnson Assistant Director, Transportation Riders United ruth@detroittransit.org 313.963.8872

22. Transportation Riders United MISSION To improve and promote transit in greater Detroit in order to restore urban vitality, ensure transportation equity and improve quality of life. TRU believes the Detroit region needs a balanced transportation network because transportation investments shape our future.  WHAT WE DO • Improve understanding and perception towards transit • Engage and involve the public in important transportation decisions • Watchdog transportation processes and provide transit expertise to decision-makers • Be the public’s voice to ensure transportation investments support the public’s interest in accessibility, affordability, accountability and sustainability

23. Greater Detroit needs a well-integrated transportation network • Quick commuter trains linking the region’s cities • High quality rapid transit along major corridors • Convenient bus lines connecting neighborhoods • Accessible paratransit service for seniors and people with disabilities • Good pedestrian and bike access following Complete Streets design principles • Higher speed trains connecting to other regions and the rest of the country.

24. Public Transit in Metro Detroit • PAST – Detroit had one of the largest municipally owned streetcar systems until the 1950’s. In 1920’s subway plan vetoed. In 1970’s missed out on $600 million in federal funds. In 2000 two major efforts for DARTA failed • PRESENT – SMART, DDOT, Windsor Transit, Detroit People Mover, Amtrak • FUTURE – Rapid transit on major corridors and from Ann Arbor – Detroit. An effective Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

25. How to Improve Regional Transportation Barriers and Challenges • Lack of regional cooperation • Unwillingness to invest • Insufficient political will and public pressure What You Can Do • Educate yourself and your organization on the transportation issues you care about most • Decide what positions to adopt & actions to take • TAKE ACTION – contact decision makers and make your voices heard!

26. Regional Elder Mobility Alliance • Coalition of aging, disability and transit agencies dedicated to advocating for regional approaches to more and better transportation and mobility options • Enhance the quality of life in Southeastern Michigan particularly elders, boomers, people with disabilities and transit dependent people. • Supported by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Hannan Foundation, Area Agencies on Aging, MDOT, SEMCOG, SMART and DDOT

27. Senior Mobility • By 2018, more than 20% of SE Michigan residents will be 65+ years old • Most people outlive their ability to drive by 7-10 years • Older adults restrict their driving and reduce their activities due to lack of transportation & mobility options • More and better transportation & mobility options is important to individuals’ quality of life and our region’s prosperity

28. Regional Elder Mobility Alliance Senior Mobility Outreach Project • 2010-11: Engaged seniors & community leaders in Waterford, Inkster & St. Clair Shores • 2012: Developing public engagement plan to increase awareness & support of regional transportation approaches

29. Small Group Conversations Rural Transportation—Lynn Advocacy & Policy— Ruth Developing, funding and sustaining mobility management systems—Roberta

30. Questions to Consider • What is your organization already doing in this area? • Who are you reaching and what parts of your community are left out (gaps in services, outreach, etc.)? • What resources currently exist and what resources do you need to further your work? • Where is there room for collaboration (identify organizations/community partners)? • As a small group, identify 1-3 action items in which you/your group can engage.

31. Resources Visit the conference website to view an inclusive resource guide as well as this presentation! http://cmfmna2012.org/more-than-aging-transportation-on-a-continuum/