DECEMBER 16, 2005

1. SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE: Solutions For The Calgary Region Calgary Regional Partnership Executive Committee DECEMBER 16, 2005

2. Presentation Outline • Project Objectives & Work Plan • Existing Transportation Resources & Service Gaps • Improvement Strategies – Demonstration Project • Critical Success Factors • A Way Forward – Role of CRP

3. Project Objectives & Work Plan • What is the demand/need for specialized transportation? – market framework • Profile of existing transportation services • Stakeholder & customer consultation: • Public Open Houses & Focus Group meetings • Forum Group – key community stakeholders

4. Project Objectives & Work Plan (cont.) • Best Practices: • Identify who else is doing what? What might be applicable to the Calgary Region? • Develop list of possible solutions tailored to Calgary Region • Administration / coordination / service delivery

5. Project Objectives & Work Plan (cont.) • Conduct financial analysis: • Operating & capital costs • Fares / tax burdens / funding opportunities • Recommend Sustainable Models:IMPLEMENTATION - ACTION PLAN

6. Profile Available Transportation Resources • Multitude of providers: local & inter-municipal / private & public – hierarchy: • Family, friends, volunteers, • Taxis (unsubsidized), taxi voucher/scrip/reimbursement programs • Handi-bus, fixed-route & dial a ride transit • Dedicated populations / trip purposes: school transport, ambulance & non-emerg. transport providers, tour bus / tourist shuttle services • Intercity (Red Arrow or Greyhound), commuter services • Organized and informal volunteer driver services: (integral part of existing transportation framework) • Variety of arrangements regarding reimbursement (mileage) & trip requests / arrangements • Issues attracting & retaining volunteers

7. Key Messages(service gaps) Existing transportation services are not adequate to meet current regional and local travel needs – (of elderly & disability communities) • Barrier to accessing health care, employment, etc. • Limited to too few days/week & hours/day • Limited frequency of service • Fares are cost-prohibitive / affordability issue • Excessive travel times • Lack of w/c accessible services • Lack of information about available transportation options • Some taxi drivers not trained/familiar with needs of people with mobility limitations

8. Improvement Strategies • Need to build on successes of existing transportation infrastructure... - Maintain local autonomy/existing service delivery • Evaluation process to gauge the effectiveness • Serve as a model may be replicated elsewhere in province

9. Improvement StrategiesDemonstration : Key Elements Addresses: • The implementation of a two-tiered, multi-sectorial administrative framework; • On-going consultation including engaging other community partners; • Operational solutions / demonstration of transportation solutions for regional specialized transportation initiatives; and • Marketing and communications strategy.

10. Improvement Strategies Governance / Administration– two-tiered: • Calgary Region Specialized Transportation Steering Committee (CR-STSC) • Multi-sectorial (build on membership of Forum Group) • Lead Agency – mobility management responsibilities: • Info. dissemination & referral • Centralized scheduling • Support services • Brokerage services

11. Operations / Service Delivery Shuttle Service • Service one-day per week from each of MD Big Horn, MD Rocky View, MD Foothills & Wheatland County • Local services focus on feeder services / free-up capacity Taxi Scrip / Voucher Program • Provides for subsidized transportation on a client specific basis. • Participating agencies to determine level of subsidy (appropriate for their specific organization and client populations)

12. Risks:Critical Success Factors • Funding for demonstration project • There exists multiple potential funding sources • Need for effective project management & build on (established) momentum • Appropriate role for CRP (as project facilitator) • Sustainability • On-going monitoring & evaluation / need for demonstrable experience

13. Cost Sharing & Sustainability • Collaborative arrangements / cost-sharing agreements (MOU) with Project Partners • Efficiencies = reduced costs to participating organizations (including Calgary Health Region) • less employee time involved in transportation issues, • fewer missed patient/client opportunities, and • simplified record keeping • Explore opportunities to generate revenues for the services, to reflect value

14. A Way Forward…Role of CRP Sole entity with Regional (geographically) mandate & credibility with project partners / key stakeholders • Proponent / facilitator of demonstration project • NOT incur additional administrative or financial burden • Demonstration project budget – address admin. costs, program monitoring & evaluation, seek additional funds, etc. • On-going facilitation of public-private partnerships • “hand-off” responsibilities within 18-month time-frame

15. Need for CRP to agree in principle to advance… Improved transportation services for the region’s elderly & disability communities Questions? Thank You