International Perspectives on Paratransit Policies and Approaches to Deliver Accessible Transportation☆
Paratransit: Shaping the Flexible Transport Future
ISBN: 978-1-78635-226-2, eISBN: 978-1-78635-225-5
Publication date: 28 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The impetus was to assess pluses and minuses of a national mandate with specific paratransit guidelines per “the” 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) model. Two European countries were chosen to explore other ways to serve persons with disabilities, not driven by ADA.
Design/methodology/approach
This research compared mandates in each area (via a tri-lingual survey) both as related to ADA’s most common practices and the European model of “Persons with Reduced Mobility” (PMRs). After data collection, analysis compared and contrasted ADA and PMR schemes.
Findings
Even in California, differences were found among survey sites; for instance, the organization type and mix of services varied greatly, despite a national framework. In Europe, there were more similar approaches among regions where, without a national framework, there was flexible, regional decision-making. In Europe, the national focus is on more regular transit accessibility, maximizing transit use rather than special services.
Research limitations/implications
Five recommendations resulted and apply most directly to California and equally for agencies with or without ADA. The strengths of the PMR approach are transferable to California and the trend among a few California partners to go beyond ADA, while only a local option, reinforces the strength of the PMR solution.
Originality/value
How to improve service and financial performance and enlarge the private sector role are put forward. Existing methods, whether Federal or California-driven, need revisiting to achieve true benefits of coordination.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
This research began with the impetus and insight from Heather Menninger from AMMA Transit Planning and Roger Teal, Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Paratransit Committee. Another key player was Professor Corinne Mulley, University of Sydney, and the Panel Moderator at the Paratransit Conference. The author wishes to acknowledge the support from the above team and the many contributions from the survey participants (below), grouped by country. All errors in this chapter are, of course, the author’s responsibility.
California, USA
Michael Tobin, Access Services Incorporated (ASI) in Los Angeles.
Linda Deavens, Paratransit, Inc. in Sacramento. Barbara Vaughan-Bechtold and Gary Taylor, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).
Hunter Harvath and Robert Weber at Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) in Monterey.
Mark Shaffer, Ride-On Transportation in San Luis Obispo and Geoff Straw, San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
Richard Fernbaugh, City of Lompoc Transit (COLT); James Galbert, First Transit Group, Santa Maria Area Transit contractor; and Jim Talbott, Santa Maria Organization of Transportation Helpers.
Adrianna Maroquin, Nicole Campos, and Ernesto Paredes, Easy Lift Transportation in Santa Barbara.
France
Eric Diserbeau, Rennes Métropole, Brittany.
Michael Maisonnial, Syndicat Mixte des Transports pour le Rhône et l’ Agglomération Lyonnaise (SYTRAL), Lyon, Rhône.
Bruno Jallud, Flora Depres & Patrick Pilon, Société Économie Mixte des Transports de l’ Agglomération Grenobloise” (SEMITAG) in Grenoble, Isère.
Dominique Le Hen, Ingénierie, Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) Paris plus Élodie Hervers, Flex-Cité contractor and Betty Chappe, Mission Accessibilité.
Spain
Carlos Sanchez Martin, Técnico Dirección Accessibilidad Universal, Fundacion ONCE in Madrid, Ciudad Real Province.
Rosario Borda, Institut Municipal de Persones amb Discapatitat in Barcelona, Catalunya.
Luis Roda Garcia, Empresa Municipal de Transporte (EMT),Valencia.
Txema Alonso, Bidaideak, Bilbao, Basque Province.
Translations
Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager, San Luis Obispo Transit.
Eustaquio Valdez, Transit Analyst, Santa Maria Area Transit.
Nicole Ragon, Retired English Teacher, Terrassa, Barcelona.
Citation
Wilson, E. (2016), "International Perspectives on Paratransit Policies and Approaches to Deliver Accessible Transportation
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited