Dial-A-Lift Paratransit Service Operational Analysis
Long Beach Public Transportation Company, Long Beach, CA (2009)

AMMA Transit Planning conducted a comprehensive operational analysis of this 14-vehicle, dedicated taxi program for people with mobility impairments or those unable to use the Long Beach Transit fixed-route system. Long Beach Public Transportation Company’s Dial-a-Lift program is a curb-to-curb, shared-ride service providing 46,000 rider trips annually to 1,422 enrolled clients, as of FY 2009. Based in Long Beach, CA, with a current population of 400,060, this service is available to eligible clients who live and travel throughout Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill.

AMMA’s  involved an in-depth analysis of trip utilization by time of day, as well as vehicle utilization and trip origin and destination patterns. We documented vehicle scheduling procedures; trip reservation, scheduling, dispatching, and reporting procedures; the program’s cost-reimbursement method; eligibility and certification process.  A focus group with long-time drivers was conducted.

Operational recommendations provided strategic direction in seven areas including, revising operating policies, vehicle utilization practices, trip reimbursement procedures and better integration into the fixed-route transit system. These recommendations contributed to the agency’s rebidding of its Dial-a-Lift program.

AMMA Transit Planning, lead consultant, assisted by Total Contract Solutions, Inc., Charles Johnson.

                

           
                                                    

Pilot Transportation Coordination Program, Del Rey Area/Mar Vista Gardens
Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Los Angeles, CA (2009-10)

AMMA Transit Planning conducted a needs assessment for this low-income housing project and the surrounding area located in the west side of Los Angeles, at the request of the district’s City Councilman and on behalf of the City Department of Transportation. This densely populated Del Rey area of Los Angeles, including the Mar Vista Gardens housing facility operated by The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), is home to just over 5,000 individuals. Adjacent to Culver City and the beach communities of Venice and Playa del Rey, this low-income, high density neighborhood is somewhat of an anomaly in an otherwise higher income area. AMMA Transit Planning was responsible for developing public transit alternatives to improve mobility and access to transportation for this transit dependent population.

Activities included: a household survey provided in both English and Spanish. The survey was mailed to 1,100 individuals and received a 7% return rate; a “walking tour” to study pedestrian access issues; public outreach including, stakeholder interviews and meetings with the resident advisory council; an inventory and analysis of the three transit systems and six routes that surround the Del Rey area, but provide limited or not contiguous service.

Recommendations were directed to area public transit providers, The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), residents of this public housing project and staff of the Los Angels Department of Transportation.  Four pilot project areas were proposed including, an on-site mobility manager, subsidized bus fare, a volunteer driver reimbursement program, and the development of a specialized shuttle.

 AMMA Transit Planning, lead consultant, assisted by Ellen Blackman Consulting Services.