Human ServicesTransportation Plan

Lancaster County, PAAdopted by

Lancaster County Transporation Coordinating CommitteeApril 23, 2007

Lead Agency: Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee(LCTCC)The LCTCC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization forLancaster County

Mailing Address: c/o Lancaster County Planning Commission50 North Duke StP.O. Box 3480Lancaster, PA 17608-3480

Contact Person: David RoyerEmail: royerd@co.lancaster.pa.usPhone Number: (717) 299-8333Fax: (717) 295-3659

SecondaryLead Agency: Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA)

The RRTA is the fixed route and paratransit provider forLancaster County

Mailing Address: 45 Erick RoadLancaster, PA 17601

Contact Person: David W. KilmerEmail: dkilmer@redrosetransit.comPhone Number: (717)397-5613Fax: (717)397-4761

Table of Contents

Certification 1

Introduction 2

Lancaster County 2

Human Services Transportation Plan: Background 2

Overview 2

Federal SAFETEA-LU Requirement 3

Stakeholders 3

Data and Information 4

List of Illustrations Following page 4

1. Families Below Poverty Level by Municipality

2. Persons Below Poverty Level by Municipality

3. Persons Aged 65 Years and over by Municipality

4. Persons with a Disability by Municipality

5. Aggregate Public Assistance Income/Payments ($) by Municipality

Common Destinations 10

List of Illustrations Following page 11

6. Common Destinations – Childcare Facilities

7. Common Destinations – Colleges and Votechs

8. Common Destinations – Entry Level Employment Opportunities

9. Common Destinations – Medical Centers

10.Common Destinations – Senior Service Facilities

11.Common Destinations – Special Need Facilities

12.Common Destinations – Recreation

13.Common Destinations - Libraries

Existing Transportation Services 20

Fixed Route Service 20

Shared Ride Services 21

Exhibit 1 Following page 22

Recommendations of the Stakeholders Meeting – 03/08/07 24

Recommendations of the Stakeholders Meeting – 03/27/07 25

Section 5310 Applications – 2007, Recommended Priorities 26

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Section 5310/JARC/New FreedomCoordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan

FFY 2007 Certification

_Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee ___________(MPO)(Name of Municipal Planning Organization)

As the lead agency has formally adopted by May 31, 2007 a locally developed public transit -human services transportation plan (coordinated plan) from which projects selected for Federalfiscal year (FFY) 2007 funding under the Section 5310 Program, Job Access and ReverseCommittee (JARC) Program and New Freedom Program shall be derived.

Lancaster County forms the boundaries of the coordinated plan.

The MPO has established a public transit -human services transportation advi sory committee(HSTAC) which includes the participation of representatives of public, private, and non -profittransportation and human service providers and members of the public (e.g. individuals withdisabilities, older adults, and individuals with low i ncomes). Although participation by everygroup listed is not required, the TPO has documented its good faith effort to solicit involvement.

The MPO HSTAC has reviewed all Section 5310, JARC, and New Freedom Programs applicationsfor funding from within the boundaries of the coordinated plan and provided an assessment oftransportation needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with lowincomes.

Through its comprehensive review, the MPO HSTAC has identified strategies and/or ac tivities toaddress identified service gaps and set relative priorities for implementation by determining thepriority order of all Section 5310, JARC, and New Freedom applications for funding from withinthe boundaries of the coordinated plan.

The MPO has developed and adopted a coordinated plan (attached) that includes at a minimum thefollowing elements:

-List of the groups that were represented by participants of the coordinating committee-Documentation of the MPO’s good faith efforts to solicit invo lvement in the HSTAC.-MPO’s identification of strategies and/or activities to address identified service gaps andset relative priorities for implementation through its determination of the priority order ofapplications for Section 5310, JARC, and New Fr eedom funding within its jurisdiction.-Prioritized list of such applications

__________________________________ ___________________Signature of Authorized Official -MPO Chair Date

__________________________________Title of Authorized Official

Attachment (coordination plan)

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IntroductionIndividuals or families with special transportation needs may have difficulty

getting around their community. For many people, receiving human servicestransportation is not a choice but a necessity. Due to their disability, low -income statusor age, individuals may not have access to private automobiles. Without ready access totransportation, simple daily activities become a challenge. Meeting the transportationneeds of seniors, those with disabilities, or low-income status individuals will require avariety of strategies including some innovative solutions. Limited funding opportunitiesrequire that consideration be given to sustaining existing services as well as considerati onof new solutions, where possible. These strategies must take into consideration thespecial challenges of these targeted groups within the communities where they live..

Lancaster CountyLancaster County is located in Southcentral Pennsylvania. The County measures

984.2 square miles or 629,879.6 acres. Lancaster County is bordered on the south by theState of Maryland, to the west by York County, to the north by Dauphin, Lebanon andBerks Counties and to the east by Chester County. The Susquehanna River forms thewestern boundary. In 2000, the population of Lancaster County was 470,658. This is an11.3% population increase since the 1990 census. The population estimated for 2010 isan additional 8.3% increase. Lancaster County has urban, suburba n and rural areas.

Lancaster City is the County’s major city with a population of 56,348. There arethree hospitals, a major health center and four higher education institutions in LancasterCounty near downtown Lancaster. The population for the city i s estimated to slightlyincrease over the next ten years as the suburban area grows. The city is surrounded bysuburban townships with decentralized shopping, employment, medical, educational andrecreational locations. These townships have experienced r apid population andemployment opportunity growth in recent years. There are boroughs located throughoutall portions of the County, but much of the rural area is devoted to agriculture.

Lancaster County’s public transportation provider is Red Rose Transit Authority(RRTA) and its paratransit service is provided by the Red Rose Transit Authority throughRed Rose Access.

Human Services Transportation Plan: Background

Overview

The Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) summarizes the transport ationneeds for those people who have transportation challenges because of disability, lowincome or senior age. The Plan identifies transportation solutions to respond to thesechallenges.

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The intent of the Human Services Transportation Plan is to ident ify transportationneeds and solutions thereby improving transportation services for people with disabilities,seniors and individuals with lower incomes. The development of a Human ServicesTransportation Plan ensures that communities coordinate transpor tation resourcesprovided through multiple funding programs. A coordinated plan can help enhancetransportation access, minimize duplication of services, and encourage the most cost -efficient transportation possible.

Development of the Human Services Tra nsportation Plan brings together serviceproviders, agencies that distribute funds, riders and the community -at-large to improvespecial needs transportation throughout the region. The plan includes backgroundinformation, geographic information of the di stribution of existing public transportationservices, as well as an analysis of human service transportation needs and recommendedsolutions.

Federal SAFETEA-LU Requirement

On August 10, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Safe, Accountable,Flexible, Efficient Transportation equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA -LU).SAFETEA-LU authorizes the federal surface transportation programs for highways,highway safety and transit for the 5 year period, 2005 -09. In addition, the legislationrequires the development of a locally developed, coordinated public transit HumanServices Transportation Plan (HSTP). Development of an HSTP is a condition forreceiving formula funding under three Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs:

Section 5310, Special Needs of ‘Elderly & Individuals with Disabilities – capitalfunding used to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles for Red Rose Access service

Section 5316(g), Job Access and Reverse Commute – (formerly an earmark forLancaster County) – operating funding used to fund shared ride service to and from worklocations during hours when fixed route service is not available

Section 5317(f), New Freedom – new capital or operating funding allocation tofill gaps in transportation services previously avai lable to facilitate the integration ofindividuals with disabilities into the workforce and full participation in the community

StakeholdersStakeholder involvement is the key to successful human services transportation

planning. Engaging the appropr iate organizations and individuals in planning efforts iscritical to identifying the needs of the target populations, the needs of the community, thetransportation services available, and the identification of new solutions.

The following agencies and individuals were invited and agreed to participate in thedevelopment process.

RRTA Board of DirectorsLancaster County Office of Aging

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Lancaster County Mental Health/Mental RetardationUnited Disabilities ServicesLancaster County Office of Assistanc eLancaster Disabled for Change and JusticeDisability Empowerment CenterLancaster Employment and TrainingLancaster County Planning CommissionParatransit Service ProvidersRRTA Transit Advisory CommitteeRRTA StaffGeneral Public

Data and InformationThis section of the plan documents the numbers and location of people with

special transportation needs and includes a series of maps showing the locations ofpopulations as well as common transportation destinations.

Figure 1 provides year 2000 census data. Lancaster County population hasincreased more than 10% with each of the past three census reports. The next thirty yearsestimate a similar rate of growth. Figure 1 illustrates census data for the County ofLancaster and contrasts the Ci ty of Lancaster with two adjoining townships.

Year 2000 Census DataLancaster County, City and Township Data

Lanc.Co

Lanc.Co.%

Lanc.City

Lanc.City%

Man.Twp

ManTwp

%East

Hemp

EastHemp.

%Total Population 470,658 56,347 12% 33,770 7.2% 21,262 4.5%Population age 65+ 74,662 14.0% 5,933 9.0% 7,063 10.7% 3,287 5.0%Disability age 5+ 68,953 14.7% 11,925 17.3% 4,396 6.4% 2,723 3.9%Individuals<Poverty 39,065 7.6% 11,162 31.4% 1,286 3.6% 833 2.3%

List of Illustrations1. Families Below Poverty Level by Municipality2. Persons Below Poverty Level by Municipality3. Persons Aged 65 Years and over by Municipality4. Persons with a Disability by Municipality5. Aggregate Public Assistance Income/Payments ($) by Municipality

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Common DestinationsPlaces to which people with special transportation needs need to travel in

Lancaster County include destinations in the table below. Destinations include schools,childcare facilities, medical centers, day treatment centers, employment and shoppi ngdistricts, social service providers and recreational facilities.

Common Trip Destinations – Lancaster County

Destination Priority Interest of theseSpecial Needs

Transportation GroupsExamples of Lancaster County

DestinationsEntry LevelEmploymentOpportunities

Young PeopleLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Food services, nursing homes,industrial cleaning, retail, LancasterEmployment & Training Agency,Job Corps, Spanish American CivicAssociation, Urban League

Schools Young PeopleLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Millersville University, StevensTrade School, Lancaster CountyTraining Centers,

Social Services Young People andSeniorsLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Community Action Program, WIC,food banks and Office of Agingnutritional sites located throughoutthe county, Mental Health/MentalRetardation, United DisabilitiesServices, Social SecurityAdministration, County Office ofAssistance, SACA, Urban League,Neighborhood Services, LUMINA,Disability Empowerment Center,Philhaven

Medical Centers Young People andSeniorsLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Lancaster General Hospital,Lancaster Regional Hospital,Women and Babies and LGHHealth Campus are located in theCity of Lancaster. Heart ofLancaster, Ephrata Hospital,Susquehanna Regional andnumerous health care centers arescattered throughout the County

Childcare Facilities Young PeopleLow Income Individuals

CAP Child Care and Head Startlocations throughout the County,YWCA and Lancaster Day Nurseryprovide subsidized child care inLancaster City

Shopping Districts Young and SeniorsLow Income Individuals

Park City, Hawthorne Plaza, RedRose Commons, Golden Triangle,

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People with Disabilities Lancaster Shopping Center andManor Shopping Center are locatedin Lancaster City. East TownCentre, Tanger Outlets andRockvale Square are located on theRoute 30 East corridor. Numerousother shopping areas are scatteredthrough out the County.

Daycare Facilities Young People andSeniorsLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Tempo, Concepts, Options, PAI,Generations, Lancaster RegionalAdult Day Care, Landis HomesDaycare are located in theLancaster Urban Area. MasonicHomes daycare and Garden SpotDaycare are located in the county.Sheltered workshops includeGoodwill and OccupationalDevelopment Center in LancasterCity and EARS in Ephrata

Recreation Young People andSeniorsLow Income IndividualsPeople with Disabilities

Libraries, fitness centers, bowlingalleys, museums and parks arelocated though out the County. TheYWCA and YMCA operate fitnessand aquatic centers in the City ofLancaster

List of Illustrations6. Common Destinations – Childcare Facilities7. Common Destinations – Colleges and Votechs8. Common Destinations – Entry Level Employment Opportunities9. Common Destinations – Medical Centers10.Common Destinations – Senior Service Facilities11.Common Destinations – Special Need Facilities12.Common Destinations – Recreation13.Common Destinations - Libraries

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Existing Transportation Services

Fixed Route Service

The Red Rose Transit Authority was formed in 1973 to insure the continuum ofpublic transportation services in Lancaster County. The Authority was formed b y jointaction of Lancaster City Council and the Lancaster County Board of Commissionersunder the “Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.” Initially formed as an administrativeagency, the Authority became an operating agency on April 1, 1976 when it acqu ired thefixed route assets of two private carriers. The city of Lancaster withdrew from fundingthe Authority in 1997.

RRTA Fixed Route Operating Characteristics

BusRoute

RouteName

WeekdayService

First RunBegins

WeekdayService

Last RunBegins

WeekdayService

Frequency(Peak)

SaturdayService

Sunday/HolidayService

AreaServed

1 PCA 6:05A 9:30P 30 min Y Y City2 PCB 6:05A 9:20P 35 min Y Y City3 PBC 6:00A 9:10P 35 min Y Y City4 Elm/Pk 6:00A 5:20P 30 min Y N County5 Grandvw 6:15A 5:20P 45 min Y N County

10 Lititz 5:25A 5:20P 45 min Y N County11 Ephrata 5:15A 5:20P 40 min Y N County12 NHolland 5:10A 5:20P 60 min Y N County13 Wht Hrse 5:30A 5:20P 120 min Y N County14 Rockvale 5:20A 9:05P 45 min Y Y County15 W Strt 5:50A 5:20P 60 min Y N County16 M-ville 5:40A 8:15P 30 min Y Y County17 Columbia 4:55A 8:40P 45 min Y Y County18 Etown 5:05A 5:20P 60 min Y N County19 Manheim 5:15A 5:20P 50 min Y N County20 Grnfield 5:20A 10:40P 45 min Y N County

MUXpress

Shuttle 7:45A 4:45P 15 min N N County

TrolleyShuttle

Shuttle 7:10A 6:10P 15 min N N City

MU-PCX

MU-ParkCity

Xpress

1:10P 9:25P 55 min Y Y County

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Shared Ride Services

Lancaster Integrated Specialized Transportation Service was incorporated as a501 (C)(3) non-profit transportation brokerage in 1979. The formation of LISTS was theresult of collaboration between the County and City of Lancaster, Lancaster CountyPlanning Commission, the Office of Aging, Community Action Program, other socialservice agencies and several private transportation providers. It was agreed, at that time,that all agencies would disband their own transportation programs and that alltransportation services would be provided through the coordination of demand made by avariety of programs through the services of LISTS. Programs which endorsed thebrokerage concept included Office of Aging, Community Action Program, the CountyOffice of Assistance, RRTA Americans with Disabilities requirement and many smalleragencies. At the same time, LISTS entered into contracts with several privatetransportation providers to provide services at contracted rates in a number of geographicsectors which created a countywide access to transportation services for all memberagencies. See attached Exhibit 1.

In 1992, RRTA and LISTS consolidated under the corporate structure of theAuthority. LISTS was renamed Red Rose Access. Red Rose Access continues to be thesingle point of contact responsible for brokering all social service transportation de mandin the County of Lancaster. Red Rose Access contracts with two private transportationoperators to provide the service in six geographic service sectors which encompass all ofLancaster County.

A minimum 24 hour reservation request is required to re serve a ride. The serviceprovides door-to-door assistance upon request. RRTA’s fixed route service is the leastexpensive mode and use of shared ride is dependent on verification of disability orgeographic location which renders use of fixed route unfe asible. Coordination of serviceis made by sharing the access to vehicles among a variety of funding sources to increasevehicle efficiency and share the costs of providing the service equally among thepurchasers/funders of service.

Service is available in five County Sectors on Monday through Friday, withSaturday service available for dialysis patients in Ephrata. In the urban area, service isavailable, depending on funding guidelines, twenty -four hours a day, seven days a week.

Lancaster’s coordinated transportation broker, Red Rose Access, provides over360,000 one way trips each year. Currently, RRTA owns 47 wheelchair accessiblevehicles, 25 of which were funded in whole or in part with Section 5310 funding. Thisfleet is augmented by an additional 22 privately owned vehicles operated by privatetransportation subcontractors who are under contract to provide Red Rose Access service.

Currently, Red Rose Access is designated by the County of Lancaster to providethe Medical Assistance Transportation Program. For FY 07, the budget for this programis $1,148,000. Other state and federally funded programs include, but are not limited toPennDot Section 203 lottery program to benefit senior citizens with a budget of$1,433,750, PennDot Welfare to Work transportation program with a budget of $45,000,

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PennDot Persons with Disabilities Rural Transportation Program with a budget of$74,300, Mental Health/Mental Retardation transportation with a budget of $862,700,Americans with Disabilities Act com plementary paratransit with a budget of$420,000, Office of Aging transportation with a budget of $215,000, the Job AccessReverse Commute for which funding is sought through this plan and the transportationneeds of 30-40 smaller agencies. All Red Rose Access funding is generated as paymentfor trips provided to agency clients and the general public. The total projected revenuefor Red Rose Access of FY 07 is $4,780,000.

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Recommendations of the Stakeholders Meeting – 03/08/07

Attendees: David Royer, Lancaster County Planning CommissionRobert Patrick, Lancaster County Office of AssistanceDiane Robertson, Lancaster county Office of AssistanceSusan Blecher, Consumer AdvocateRhonda Healey, Lancaster county Office of AgingAnne Heberlein, Lancaster County MH/MRAl Sama, Eschbach’s Bus ServiceJeff Shelly, Friendly TransportationMichael Haggerty, RRTALinda Rannels, RRTA

The meeting was called to order at 2:30 PM at the RRTA office.

The stakeholders reviewed the draft HSTP and the maps which had been prepared byLCPC to illustrate the distribution of population and of trip generators. The stakeholdersagreed to complete and return to RRTA the “Self Assessment for Communities” Thestakeholders reviewed the funding allocations for Lancaster County for JARC and NewFreedom money.

On a motion from David Royer, seconded by Rhonda Healey, the group unanimouslyagreed that the HSTP shall recommend application for Section 5310 funds for thepurchase of wheelchair lift equipped vehicles.

On a motion by Jeff Shelly, seconded by Anne Heberlein, the group unanimously agreedthat the HSTP shall recommend application for JARC funds to continue providingLancaster County’s Access to Jobs program.

Discussion followed on the best recommendation for use of the New Freedom funds.The stakeholders agreed to meet on March 27 at 3:00 PM to approve the interim HSTPand to continue discussion about the best use of the New Freedom funds for LancasterCounty.

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Recommendations of the Stakeholders Meeting – 03/27/07

Attendees: David Royer, Lancaster County Planning CommissionSarah Jane Cisney – RRTA Board of DirectorsRobert Patrick, Lancaster County Office of AssistanceDiane Robertson, Lancaster County Office of AssistanceSusan Blecher, Consumer AdvocateRhonda Healey, Lancaster County Office of AgingAnne Heberlein, Lancaster County MH/MRPhil Keller, Lancaster Disabled for change and JusticeRegina Duell – Urban LeagueJeff Shelly, Friendly TransportationMichael Haggerty, RRTALinda Rannels, RRTA

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM. The Stakeholders reviewed the HSTP andsuggested some modifications to the Illustrations. The Stakeholders recommended thatthe Transit Advisory Commit tee be listed as a Stakeholder in the HSTP.

On a motion by David Royer, Seconded by Sarah Jane Cisney, the group unanimouslyagreed to recommend that the current model of transportation coordination in LancasterCounty shall continue.

On a motion by Robert Patrick, seconded by Sarah Jane Cisney, the group unanimouslyapproved the HSTP, as modified, to be submitted for ratification by the MetropolitanPlanning Organization (MPO) and the RRTA Board of Directors.

Ms Rannels reported that based on the recomm endations of the March 8 th Stakeholdersmeeting, an application in the amount of $605,000 has been submitted to PADot whichwould use the Section 5310 funds for capital equipment. She also reported that a JARC –Section 5316 application is being prepared to submit to the Federal TransportationAdministration for the Access to Jobs Program. Until such time as local funding issuesare resolved, no discussion of New Freedom initiatives will be undertaken.

On a motion by Jeff Shelly, seconded by Phil Keller, the group unanimouslyrecommended that the use of federal operating and capital funding be locally determined,that continued efforts be made to identify a dedicated source of state funding and thatallocation of federal funds for JARC and New Freedom be assured beyond the 2009authorization.

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Lancaster CountySection 5310 Applications – 2007

Recommended Priorities

Prioritized by Stakeholders on 4/18/07

Priority 1: Full or Partial Funding of:

Red Rose Transit Authority� Nine small transit buses (replacements) (7 vehicles 10+3) (2 vehicles 8+4)� Total Cost: $605,000� Rational for priority: RRTA operates the coordinated HS system and needs to

replace nine of its vehicles

Priority 2:

S. June Smith Center� Two vans (replacements) (6 passenger/1WC)� Total Cost: $80,000� 40 persons per month served� Rational for priority: This is a unique service (pre school age children with

developmental disabilities) that RRTA is not currently capable of providing andtwo vehicle replacements are needed

Priority 3:

Lancaster County Emergency Medical Services Association� One W/C van (replacement) (8 passenger/1WC)� Total Cost: $68,000� 247 persons per month served� Rational for priority: RRTA can provide the service that this replacement vehicle

would provide

Priority 4:

Manheim Township Ambulance Association� One W/C van (service expansion) (5 passenger – WC accessible)� Total Cost: $35,000� 250 persons per month served� Rational for priority: RRTA can provide the service and this vehicle would be

used for a service expansion