CC Resolution No. 2080 - AdoptTransportationProgGuildelines RESOLUTION NO.2080
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.
TEXAS,ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR THE SENIOR&DISABLED
CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM;AND PROVIDING FOR THE
EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN.
TEXAS:
Section 1:That the City Council of the City of Baytown,Texas,hereby adopts its
Senior&Disabled Citizen Transportation Program Guidelines.The guidelines are attached
hereto as Exhibit"A"and incorporated herein for all intents and purposes.
Section 2:This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by
the City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED,READ and PASSED.by the affirmative vote of t City Council of the
City of Baytown this the 8th day of July.2010.
EPI I.DONCARLOS.Mayor
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APPROVED AS TO FROM:
A'NAaCd IO RAMIREZ,SR.Ci y Attorney
RAKaren\Files\Cite Counci1\Reso1utions\2010Uu1y 8\Adopt'fransportationProgramGuidelines.doc
Exhibit"A"
Revised May 14,2010
CITY OF BAYTOWN SENIOR&DISABLED
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES
PURPOSE
The City of Baytown Senior&Disabled Transportation Program(the"Program")is sponsored
by the City of Baytown Community Development Block Grant Program in collaboration with the
Harris County Office of Transit Services Division.Together the City of Baytown(the"City")
and Ilarris County can provide a variety of transportation options under the Rides Program
("Rides")and the Baytown Fixed Route Service(the'Baytown Bus").A description of both are
attached hereto as Exhibits A and B.respectively.The goal of the Program is to provide eligible
senior and disabled citizens non-emergency transportation services within the city limits of
Baytown and to and from Houston for medical appointments.
GENERAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for participation in the Program,an applicant must:
1.be a resident of the City of Baytown and provide proof thereof,which may
include one or more of the following:
a.a current utility bill(water,electricity,gas,or phone)indicating that
service is provided in the applicant's name:
b.rent receipt indicating that applicant resides at the premises for which rent
is being paid;and/or
C.deed or lease indicating that the applicant owns/resides at the premises:
2.be either:
a.65 years of age or older and provide proof thereof,which may include one
or more of the following:
1.State-issued photo Identification Card and/or
2.State-issued Drivers'License:
or
b.have a disability as certified by the applicant's doctor,for which a
certification form is available,or a federal approval letter for disability
income.Supplemental Security Income(SSI);
3.file a completed application with the City of Baytown's Community Development
Office located at 2401 Market Street,Baytown,Texas:and
4.satisfy the following income eligibility requirements:
a.Participants'annual gross income must not exceed the maximum low-
income limits,which will be recalculated each year based on HUD's
guidelines and the median income of the Houston Primary Metropolitan
Statistical Area.
1
Revised May 14,2010
b.Documentation of the above-referenced income eligibility requirement
shall include,but will not be limited to,all of the following that apply for
members of the household:
1.Social Security Award Letter;
2.Retirement Verification:
3.Veteran's Administration Award Letter;
4.Food Stamp Award Letter;
5.Bank Statements for the past three(3)months;
6.Investment Interest;
7.Verification of Employment/Self-Employment;
8.Welfare Verification:
9.Supplemental Social Security Income Award Letter;and
10.Proof of any other source of income.
5.All members of applicant's household are legal residents of the United States.
RIDES DESCRIPTION
The Program will be administered on a monthly basis,each such period shall be referred
to as the"Program Period".Participants of this Program are required to provide proof of
eligibility.Participants must apply at the Community Development Office and,if eligible,will
be issued a Customer ID Number.
Each Participant will be given an allotment of Coupons at the beginning of the Program
Period.If the Participant uses all of the allotted number of Coupons,the Community
Development Staff,in its sole discretion,may authorize additional Coupons for that month.If
the Participant does not use the allotted number of Coupons within the month for which they are
given,the unused Coupons will roll-over from month to month until Coupon(s)expires(if
applicable).On the tenth day of each month,the Transportation Provider must provide
documentation of each Coupon provided under the Program during the previous month.
Rides afford each participant non-emergency transit service with a Provider.When a
Participant needs transit service,he or she must contact a Provider that has contracted with Rides
to schedule his or her trip.
Once Participants have completed the application process at the Community
Development Office and a member of the Community Development Staff deems a person
eligible,such person will be issued a Customer ID number and information with details about the
Providers.In order to obtain transportation services,a Participant must call a Provider on the
Transportation Providers List.The Providers list and telephone numbers of participating
Providers is updated regularly.A current copy of the Transportation Providers List may be
obtained by contacting the Community Development Office.
Under the Rides.a participating Provider shall pick up a Participant at the origination
point designated by the Participant within the city limits of Baytown and take the Participant to
Senior&Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines,Page 2
Revised May 14,2010
the destination point designated by the Participant within the city limits of Baytown or in
Houston for medical appointments:provided,however,that neither the origination or destination
point shall be an establishment primarily serving or selling alcoholic beverages(bars/liquor
stores).The Providers have been notified of this restriction and shall not accept the
responsibility to transport a Participant to such an establishment under the above-stated
circumstances.The City will deny payment for such trips.
The Participant must be present and personally utilize the service(or the trip to be
accepted by the Provider.Another person(s)may accompany the Participant at no additional
charge;provided that the other person and the Participant have common origination and
destination points.The Rides Coupons issued by the City of Baytown cannot be used by any
person(s)other than the Participant to whom it was issued,even if such other person(s)qualifies
for the Program.
There are two levels of service available:Advanced reservations for ride-sharing with
other passengers(Shared Rides)and metered fare provider or same-day service for taxi trips.The
Rides Coupon has a face value of$6.00 each.The number of coupons required for a single trip
with a Shared Ride Provider is based on mileage as follows:
Miles from the Destination Number of Coupons needed
(One-ivay trip)
0-<3.5 miles 1
>3.5-<6.5 miles 2
>6.5-<9.5 miles 3
>9.5-<12.5 miles 4
>12.5-<15.5 miles 5
I>15.5-<19.5 miles 6
>19.5 miles 7
Cash cannot be used and the Participant must have coupons in hand to travel.Lost or stolen
coupons will not be replaced.If a participant chooses to use a meter fare Provider,The cost of
this metered same-day service is based on the rate of the meter fare box.Customers may use a
maximum of eight Coupons for fare on a one-way trip.The second leg of a round trip will
require the same number of Rides Coupons as used on the first leg of the trip if the pick-up
and/or drop-off locations are the same.When utilizing this service,trips are dispatched on the
same day as the request.Trips can be booked up to 90 minutes in advance.The taxi service may
only be used within the city limits of Baytown.When utilizing the Shared Rides,trips must be
booked at least 24 hours in advance.Shared Rides may be used outside the city limits,into the
Houston Metro areas for medical appointments only.
The Participant will present his or her Customer ID Number,photo identification and the
required number of coupons to the Provider.The Provider will transport the Participant to his or
her destination within the city limits of Baytown or to medical appointments in Houston.A
Rides detail log will be completed by the Provider and signed.if correct,by the Participant.The
Provider will then submit the Rides detail log to Harris County for verification and payment in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Rides.
Senior&Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines.Page 3
Revised May 14,2010
The City of Baytown will contract with Harris County to provide Rides Coupons.Harris
County will contract annually with Providers for the provision of transportation services pursuant
to the Rides guidelines.Participants must comply with the current rules and guidelines
established by Harris County for Rides,a copy of which may be obtained from the Community
Development Office or the Rides website:www.harriscountyrides.com.
RIDES AVAILABILITY
Advanced reservations for Ride Sharing with a group of passengers(non-metered
providers
The Shared Ride Providers do not accept cash.Reservations may be made a minimum of one
day to four days ahead of the requested trip date.Service is available Monday through Friday
but cancellation requests are accepted everyday.
Participants may not make reservations with more than one Provider for any given trip.
Overbooking constitutes abuse of the program.The Director of Planning and Development
Services or his/her designee reserves the right to remove Participants from the program.who for
any reason(s)are found to be abusing the Program,not just by overbooking but in any manner.
A Participant may make no more than two(2)cancellations in any 30-day period.Upon
the third(3`d)cancellation in a 30-day period,a one-month suspension will be imposed on the
Participant.
Taxi Providers:Transportation available 24 hours a day,7 days a week.Wheelchair accessibility
provided.When scheduling a taxi trip.Participants should give the Provider of choice at least 90
minutes advance notice.
Metered Fare Provider Reservations(taxicabs)
•For same-day trips.cancellations will be accepted up to one hour before the requested
trip time.After that.cancellations will be regarded the same as no-shows.Every effort
should be made by the Participant to avoid no-shows.
•Same day reservations may be made a minimum of 90 minutes in advance of the
requested trip.
•Advance-scheduled trips will be accepted no earlier than 6 p.m.on the day before travel.
•For advance-scheduled trips,cancellations must be made at least 4 hours ahead of the
requested trip time.or as soon as it is known that the trip will not be taken,whichever
comes first.
•Taxicabs are the only Providers that accept cash.All other Providers must be paid with
Rides Coupons with a value of$6.00 each.Taxicabs will accept a combination of cash
and Rides Coupons.No cash will be returned to you for fare payment in Rides Coupons
where the fare amount is less than the total value of Rides Coupons paid.
Senior&Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines.Page 4
Revised May 14,2010
•You may use a maximum of 8 Coupons for a taxicab trip.Participants are responsible
for any taxi fare cost over$48.00.
BAYTOWN BUS DESCRIPTION
The Program will be administered on a monthly basis.each such period shall be referred to as the
"Program Period".Participants of this Program are required to provide proof of eligibility.
Participants must apply at the Community Development Office and,if eligible,will be issued a
Customer ID Number.
Each Participant will be given an unlimited number of bus trips at the beginning of the Program
Period.The bus trips will be given to the Participant in the form of a monthly bus pass,only the
participant named on the pass is authorized to use it.On the tenth day of each month,the Office
of Transit Services must provide documentation of total trips provided under the Baytown Bus
during the previous month.
The Baytown Bus provides transportation on a fixed route within the Baytown city limits.When
a Participant requires transportation.they will present themselves at a designated bus stop
location at the appropriate time.Bus schedules and maps may be obtained from the Community
Development Office.
The Participant will present his or her photo identification and the bus pass to the bus driver.
The bus will transport the Participant to the bus stop location nearest their destination on the
fixed route.The City of Baytown will contract with I larris County to provide Bus passes.Lost
or stolen bus passes will not be replaced.
BAYTOWN BUS AVAILABILITY
Fixed Route Service is available 7:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.The service days are Monday through
Friday,with unlimited transfers.Participants requiring an attendant or companion will present
their pass and the attendant or companion will travel along with the Participant for free.Carry-on
items must be limited to 4 bags and no open containers will be allowed.
GENERAL PROGRAM RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS
l.No weapons,explosives,flammable liquids or hazardous chemicals will be transported.
2.No person may smoke,use alcohol or drugs in a Provider's vehicle or bus or at a bus
stop.
I Participants must be courteous to the reservation agent as well as to the Providers and bus
drivers.Obscene or threatening language used with a reservation agent,Rides Provider or
bus driver will not be tolerated and may result in the Participant's removal from the
Program.
Senior&Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines,Page 5
Revised May 14,2010
4.Participants must report a change of address within ten(10)calendar days of his/her new
address to maintain eligibility.Address changes should be sent in writing with proof to
the Community Development Office,2401 Market Street,Baytown.Texas 77520.
5.Participants in the Program shall comply with the rules of the Program.Upon the
determination of the Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her designee
that a violation of any provision of the guidelines has occurred,the Participant may be
suspended for one month from the Program.Neither the Provider,bus driver nor any of
their employees or subcontractors is authorized to make a determination regarding a
Participant's noncompliance with the terms and conditions of these guidelines,and
therefore,may not refuse service on this basis unless such noncompliance relates to
General Program Rules and Instructions 92.However.the Provider,bus driver or Rides
may submit complaints regarding participant's behavior to the Director of Planning and
Development Services or his/her designee for investigation.If the Director of Planning
and Development Services or his/her designee determines that a participant shall be
removed from the Program,the Participant shall be notified of such decision in writing,
which will be mailed to the address on file at the Community Development Office.Any
person wishing to appeal a decision of the Director of Planning and Development
Services or his/her designee,on the grounds that the decision misconstrues or wrongly
interprets these guidelines may,within thirty(30)days after the decision.appeal the
decision to the City Manager or his/her designee:provided that the Participant gives
notice of appeal in writing to the Community Development Office no less than ten(10)
days following the written notice of the decision which the participant is appealing.The
decision of the City Manager or his/her designee shall be final and binding on the
Participant.the Provider and the City of Baytown.If the decision of the Director of
Planning and Development Services or his/her designee is not properly appealed,the
decision of the Director of Planning and Development Services or his/her designee shall
be final and binding on the same parties.
6.Complaints regarding the Program should be made in writing and sent to the following
address:The City of Baytown Senior&Disabled Transportation Program,Community
Development Division,2401 Market Street,Baytown,Texas 77520.
7.The Community Development Office will review Program files on a monthly basis.
Participants who remain inactive for a period of 6 months will be terminated from the
Program and re-application will be necessary.
AUTHORIZATION TO NIAKE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
The City Manager or his/her designee has the authority to review these Program Guidelines and
make revisions as necessary due to changes in bus pass/coupon formatting:provided that the
purpose and intent of the guidelines is not materially altered.
1lcobsry I kL.egallKaren\Files\Community Development\Transportation ProgramlFY 08-09 Taxi RFP Guideline Changes.doc
Senior&Disabled Transportation Program Guidelines,Page 6