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CENTRAL ARKANSAS TRANSIT AUTHORITY

COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT & HUMAN

SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN

2007 -2009

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 3 Section 1: THE COORDINATION PLAN 4 State and Federal Requirements 4 Plan Objectives & Development 5 Regional Planning 5 Section 2: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 6 Local Advisory Committee 6 United We Ride Workshop 6 Public Review & Comment 6 Section 3: PUBLIC & HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION 7 IN PULASKI COUNTY & NORTHERN SALINE CTY. Service Philosophy 7 Guiding Principles 7 Grant Priorities 8 Section 4: EXISTING SERVICES 9 Mass Transit 10 Small City & Rural Transportation 11 Transportation for Older Adults 11 Human Services Transportation 20 Intercity Rail & Bus 23 Section 5: COORDINATION 24 Fixed Route 25 Paratransit Services 25 Funding Coordination 26 Section 6: ASSESSMENT 26

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SUMMARY The Little Rock Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for 2007-2009 is designed to enhance cooperation and coordination of transportation services operated in Pulaski County. Special emphasis is placed on transportation needs of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and persons with limited incomes. The Coordinated Public Transportation Plan is designed to broaden communication and collaboration between human services agencies and transportation providers to meet the regions’ transportation needs. The description of transportation services discussed in this plan are drawn from discussions with transportation providers, human service agencies, stakeholders, and input from the Transportation Advisory Committee; advisory group to Metroplan, A Council of Local Governments. Section 1 provides an overview of the Plan, including state and federal directives, and the relationship of this Plan to other documents Section 2 contains the public involvement element including the Public Hearing that took place prior to the adoption of this plan Section 3 describes the Plan’s Philosophy and Guiding Principles Section 4 provides a summary of current transportation service providers in Pulaski County and the urbanized portion of Saline County Section 5 provides the Coordination Framework Section 6 contains an assessment of the current status of coordination efforts and identifies gaps in the current provision of services.

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SECTION I - THE COORDINATION PLAN Transportation resources in Pulaski County are primarily confined to the public transit provider, the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CAT), and Human Service Agencies, both public and private. CAT’s fixed route services are open to everyone but are largely limited to areas with sufficient population density to support them. Further, CAT’s services are operated in political jurisdictions that have the desire and ability to financially support these services. Funding limitations, community support levels, and population densities create gaps in CAT’s service coverage that result in persons in more outlying areas not having access to the public transportation network. Due to financial limitations, evening and Sunday service is confined to eight routes within the City of Little Rock. Human Service providers focus on serving individuals with within specific client groups or populations that, due to a disability or for economic reasons, have fewer transportation options than the general public. Persons with disabilities and persons with limited incomes are often described as “transportation disadvantaged”. Since the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), general public transportation providers have been required to extend service to persons with disabilities by providing complementary curb-to-curb service in areas that are served by fixed-route service. Funding for public and human service transportation has traditionally been supplied by a combination of local, state, and federal government support. Recent federal initiatives are focused on ways to make better and more efficient use of these resources. The convergence of public transportation systems with human service agency needs and a growing demand for service that comes with an aging population calls for new ways of addressing transportation needs. Major challenges include the often-conflicting needs of consumers, coordinating a variety of funding sources with agencies’ own rules and restrictions, and meeting different needs in a cost-effective manner. STATE AND FEDERAL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS The Federal Transit Administration has defined coordination of transit services as the process where, “organizations interact to jointly accomplish their transportation objectives.” The goals of the Coordination Plan include:

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• Promote interagency cooperation • Minimize duplication and overlap of services • Determine the most efficient and cost-effective transportation services • Improve access to transportation for those in need

The federal directive as described by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) transportation authorization bill, requires that projects selected for funding under the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Capital Program 5310, Job Access and Reverse Commute program 5316, and New Freedom Program 5317 come from a locally developed coordinated public transit – human services transportation plan. PLAN OBJECTIVES The Coordination Plan is designed to include:

• An analysis of existing transportation coordination efforts • A mechanism to improve communication and cooperation between

human service agencies and transportation providers • A resource for human service agencies and transportation providers to

identify coordination opportunities • A venue for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low income

individuals to identify transportation resources REGIONAL PLANNING The Coordination Plan is described in the following regional planning documents Document Reference 2007 Unified Planning Work To perform short-range public Program transit human service coordination And operations planning as needed 2007 Short-Range Transit A blueprint for development of services Improvement Plan that respond to current and future demand

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SECTION 2: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE There are a number of advisory committees that provide input with respect to transportation needs of the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons. These committees provide comments and suggestions, voice satisfaction and dissatisfaction about all aspects of the transportation experience. Often, individuals are members of multiple advisory committees. Committees may represent a specific group or population. For example, Central Arkansas Transit Authority’s Advisory Council on Transit Service for Persons with Disabilities represents users of the local public transportation authority. This Committee is composed of six members. Its membership is broadly representative of the community but most focus is on the system’s Links Paratransit service. UNITED WE RIDE WORKSHOP The Kick-off of the United We Ride Workshops were held on January 12, 2006. These workshops set goals for Human Services Transportation throughout the region and the State of Arkansas. The workgroup developed a mission statement and additional goals to provide a vision of what is needed to develop a coordinated transportation plan. These goals included:

• Additional sources of funding • A reduction in barriers to coordinating service • Improved communication • A review of existing funding streams and regulations • Define necessary changes in legislative requirements • Review existing agency rules for opportunities to improve service

PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT A public hearing presenting the Plan and providing for public comment was conducted on May 2, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Metroplan at 501 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201. In addition, copies of the Plan are available at

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Metroplan and at the Central Arkansas Transit Authority Administrative offices at 901 Maple St., North Little Rock, AR 72114 during all normal business hours. Written, e-mail, and voice comments may be received at Metroplan at comments@metroplan.org or 501-372-3300; and at CAT at info@cat.org or 501-375-6717. PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT McDonald Transit Associates, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, prepared a Short Range Transportation Improvement Plan for the Central Arkansas Transit Authority in January of 2007. An aggressive and productive Public and Stakeholder Input was an integral part of the study. The study reached out to a wide variety of audiences including:

• Customers of Central Arkansas Transit Authority • The Community as a whole • Elected and appointed officials • Business Leaders • Community Decision Makers • Individuals and organizations with a stake in the success of public

transportation (stakeholders) These audiences were approached in several ways. Eighteen meetings were held with stakeholders. These individuals were various public officials and business, community, and social service agencies in the Central Arkansas area. Opportunities for stakeholder input were provided in one-on-one interviews. The initial public input sessions were designed to glean the following information of public transportation services:

• Attitudes, perceptions, and awareness of public transportation services • What needs were not being met in the community • What needs were being met in the community • What barriers exist • Service improvements and marketing ideas

In general, there is a fairly consistent opinion in all sectors surrounding transportation services in the Central Arkansas area, as well as public transit

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as a whole. Social service agencies see a critical need for existing and expanded services while desiring even more service. There were two areas of general agreement in the public input. First, almost all the participants believe that service is necessary and that it needs to be expanded to meet more needs. There was much discussion of providing new types of service to meet local needs. Social service agencies want to see more service into areas such as West Little Rock, recreational venues (i.e. Alltel Arena), and the Little Rock Air Force Base. CUSTOMER SURVEY A comprehensive survey of CATA customers was conducted in June of 2006 including local and express routes, and the demand responsive service – Links. The surveys were self-administered utilizing the vehicle operators to distribute the survey forms and collect them when completed by the customer. The survey objectives were to gauge customer satisfaction with the service, identify trip purpose, identify opportunities for improvement, and collect demographic information. The demographic information was used later to establish a Current User Profile. These results assisted the evaluation team in identifying potential transportation markets. The survey found that customers valued the service that they use and desire improvements. These potential improvements included:

• Later service on weekdays to allow employees who work late to get home as late as midnight

• Expanded weekend hours • Increased frequency of service • Ability to get to destinations outside of downtown Little Rock without

having to transfer downtown • New cross-town routes (i.e. University Ave. corridor) • Sunday service expanded to North Little Rock

GENERAL PUBLIC SURVEY

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Telephone surveys were conducted in June and July of 2006 with 400 adult residents of Pulaski County. Respondents were selected using random stratified sampling techniques. The two improvements to the system that would encourage the majority of respondents to increase their use of the transportation system were to have service closer to their home and to serve more destinations. Most respondents saw value in the transit system for individuals in the community that have no other transportation options. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on public input and survey work, McDonald Transit Associates recommends the following actions:

• The CATA service area is growing and transit service should be expanded to meet the needs of a larger population and employment base.

• From a demographic and economic point of view, the areas of Pulaski County that need traditional transit service appear to be well covered.

• The dominant customer base for CATA will continue to be riders who be described as transit dependent.

• Several places within the current service area need enhanced and/or expanded service. These areas include the City of Jacksonville and eastern portions of the City of North Little Rock.

• The public understands the need for public transportation but is pessimistic about establishing a stable funding base for its improvement.

• The image of the system is generally positive except for a small group of public officials.

• All sectors of the community do not see transit as highly important to the community.

• CATA users feel the need for later evening service, more weekend service, more frequent service, more cross-town service, and extensions of service into newly developing areas including West Little Rock, Benton, and Bryant.

• There are concentrations of likely users of the system that suggest increases in ridership among the current profile of rider are possible with better service design.

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SECTION 3 – HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION IN PULASKI COUNTY SERVICE PHILOSPHY The development of transportation services in Pulaski County is based on goals that have guided change and decision-making. Providing transportation for persons with limited resources has been a guiding principle. Efficiency and cost-effectiveness have, by necessity, been basic tenets. Diverse needs have led to the creation of community-based transportation providers. The desire of many individuals to achieve maximum independence has supported broader values of self-empowerment and integration consistent with contemporary education and employment models that has led to innovative training and support services. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Resourcefulness – using a variety of resources (human, financial agreements, and vehicles) to create and sustain services that meet individual transportation needs using innovative thinking and community relationships to address issues

• Effectiveness – To provide transportation accessibility throughout Pulaski County that are available to all individuals in need be they senior citizens, persons with disabilities, or the economically disadvantaged

• Citizen Participation – To utilize the expertise and experience of individuals who rely on public transportation services, encourage open communication regarding how resources are distributed, about service policies, and about service options

• Independence – To promote and maintain personal independence through the encouragement and support of transportation options that foster independence and allow for individual choice

GRANT PRIORITIES 5310 Grants are available to public and private non-profit transportation providers through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) division of Public Transportation. 5316 and 5317 subrecipients

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may receive grants through CATA. To encourage coordination, Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) is asked to review and rank local community transportation projects. This coordination plan is intended to establish priorities and provide an outline to conduct a review of requests for funding from local agencies. Priorities are consistent with those stated in the grant solicitation and funding requirements. The suggested guidelines are as follows:

• Vehicle Replacement – to maintain a reliable and modern fleet of vehicles within a coordinated transportation network.

• Community Transportation – encompassing new vehicles and projects to promote the use of community transportation including travel training, customer amenities, and marketing

• Vehicle Maintenance – through timely application of preventive maintenance investments

• Rural Transportation – to provide areas outside the urban core with transportation options

To adhere to these grant priorities and to respond to emerging needs and opportunities, the following priorities will determine project selection in the FY 2007-2009 Discretionary Grant Program. Priority 1 – Maintain existing service levels of viable operations – ensure that services and connections continue to operate at their current level for persons in Pulaski County who depend on them

• Continue to demonstrate effective transportation operations within Pulaski County

• Ensure that sufficient capital and operating assistance is applied to maintaining existing transportation services

• Ensure that provided transportation services are effective in meeting community transportation needs.

Priority 2 – Respond to new transportation needs resulting from increasing numbers of elderly, persons with disabilities, and general population needs.

• Ensure that capital and operating assistance is provided to meet growing demand within jurisdictional boundaries

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• Improve functionality and efficiency by enhancing existing infrastructure

• Provide adjustments that allow for growth, but do not automatically expand service without a careful evaluation of transportation needs in other locations or by different providers

Priority 3 – Respond to emerging community needs through coordinated partnerships and reacting to newly identified transportation needs and service gaps.

• Support new projects that are under development • Encourage innovative service delivery models • Improve effectiveness and efficiency • Provide enhanced service to the existing transportation network and

customers • Address the needs of the underserved and work to fill gaps in the

transportation system These priorities will be used to rank projects and to evaluate decisions for future investment. SECTION 4 - EXISTING SERVICES In Pulaski County public transportation is provided by the Central Arkansas Transit Authority. Networks of human service providers within the County are also associated by formal contractual and funding relationships. Additional agencies are more loosely connected through shared program goals and work together for the common good of their respective patrons. The following inventory lists the major suppliers of public transportation and human services transportation connections. The list identifies the agency, a brief description of the transportation service, eligibility information, and the area served. Due to the integrated nature of some services and programs, some agencies may be listed in more than one grouping. Services are described under the following categories: Public Transportation – Agencies that provide transportation to the general public and receive local, state, and/or federal financial support

• Mass Transit including bus and rail

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• Small City and rural transit • Inter-City service

Human Services Transportation – Agencies where transportation is a supplemental service to their focus service

• State Human services • Local Human services • Non-profit Human services • Transportation for older adults • Transportation for persons with disabilities • Transportation for persons with limited incomes

Private Transportation – Companies providing private transportation services

• Inter-City (i.e. Greyhound) • Train (Amtrak) • Airport Shuttle • Taxi Service • Charter Providers

MASS TRANSIT Provider: Central Arkansas Transit Authority Service Description: Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA) is the only mass transit operator that provides rides within Pulaski County. Services include fixed-route local and express service, Links paratransit, and the River Rail Streetcar service. The Authority also operates the Presidential Library shuttle under contract. In early 2007, River Rail was extended to the Presidential Library and Heifer International. CATA’s Links Paratransit service complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement for complementary paratransit service. Eligibility: Fixed-route local and express bus service and River Rail Streetcar are open to the general public. Links Paratransit is available to persons with an ADA eligible disability who are unable as a result of that disability to utilized regular bus service.

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Service Area: CATA’s service area encompasses the majority of the City of Little Rock east of Interstate 430 and significant portions of North Little Rock. Only limited weekday rush period service is available in outlying areas of Pulaski County including Jacksonville, Sherwood, and Maumelle. Unincorporated portions of Pulaski County with limited rush hour service include Hensley, Wrightsville, Morgan, Gravel Ridge, Oak Grove, Pinnacle Mountain, and Roland. Coordination: CATA coordinates with local, state and federal jurisdictions with regard to route planning, facility design, and local school districts concerning bell times. SMALL CITY AND RURAL COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION Provider: South Central Arkansas Transit (SCAT) – Northern Saline County Division Service Description: Regional Demand Responsive Transportation Services Eligibility: No Restrictions Service Area: Benton & Bryant Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 25 (21 are accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 225 (service operates Monday – Friday) TRANSPORTATION FOR OLDER ADULTS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITES. AND/OR LIMITED INCOMES Provider: Access Group Inc. Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Program participants

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Service Area: Pulaski & Faulkner Counties Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 0 (service contracted on an as needed basis) Number of Daily Trips: varies _____________________________________________________________ Provider: The Arc of Arkansas Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Enrolled in Program Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type; Scheduled Number of Vehicles: 4 (1 is accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 24 Provider: Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled Service Description: Transportation for persons with developmental Disabilities Eligibility: Program Participant Service Area: Pulaski and surrounding counties Service Type: Scheduled (with limited on-demand service) Number of Vehicles: 28 Number of Daily Trips: 350

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Provider: Camp Aldersgate Service Description: Home to Program Eligibility: Enrolled in Program Service Area: West Pulaski County Service Type: Scheduled Number of Vehicles: 2 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 22 (service operates one day per week – Thursday) Provider: Birchtree Communities Service Description: Transportation for persons with chronic mental Disabilities Eligibility; Enrolled in Program Service Area: City of Benton ( + medical trips to Little Rock) Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 16 (1 is accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 128 (service operates daily) Provider: Maumelle (City of) Service Description: Senior Citizen Activity Transportation Eligibility: 62 + Service Area: City of Maumelle Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive

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Number of Vehicles: 1 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips 20 Provider: Carelink Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: 62+ Service Area: Pulaski County (except Jacksonville) Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 22 (1 is lift equipped) Number of Daily Trips: 80 Provider: Community Life Services Inc. Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Developmental Disability Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 2 Number of Daily Trips: 20 Provider: Community Living Inc. Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Persons with disabilities

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Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 12 (accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 243 Provider: Easter Seals Arkansas Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Easter Seals Clients Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 16 Number of Daily Trips: 40 (plus medical appointments) Provider: Ecumenical Retirement Center Foundation Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Residents of Retirement Center Service Area: 15-mile radius of facility Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 4 Number of Daily Trips: 11 Provider: Family Service Agency (Ways to Work project)

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Service Description: Provides Loans for Auto Purchase/repairs Eligibility: Low Income Families Service Area: Little Rock Metro Area Service Type: Automobile Purchase / repair assistance Number of Vehicles: N/A Number of Daily Trips N/A _____________________________________________________________ Provider: Freshstart (Pilgrimage Church, Benton, AR) Service Description: Transportation for elderly, disabled, & limited incomes Eligibility: Elderly, disabled, limited income persons Service Area: Saline and Southwest Pulaski Counties Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 0 (currently use personal vehicles) Number of Daily Trips: N/A _____________________________________________________________ Provider: Mainstream (a.k.a. Independent Living Center) Service Description: Transportation for persons with disabilities Eligibility: Persons with disabilities Service Area: City of Little Rock Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 1 (accessible)

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Number of Daily Trips 4 Provider: Jacksonville Senior Center Service Description: Senior Citizen Activity Center Transportation Eligibility: 62+ Service Area: Northern Pulaski County Service Type: Fixed Route Number of Vehicles: 3 Number of Daily Trips: 35 Provider: Lions World Services for the Blind Service Description: Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Eligibility: Lions World Clients Service Area: Greater Little Rock Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 6 Number of Daily Trips: 6 Provider: Little Rock Community Mental Health Center Inc. Service Description: Program Transportation Eligibility: Persons with Mental Disabilities Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Demand Responsive

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Number of Vehicles: 5 ( non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 100 Provider: Pathfinder Inc. Service Description: Program Transportation Eligibility: Persons with Developmental Disabilities in 3 Programs: Preschool, Adult Development, and Residential Service Area: Pulaski, Saline, and Lonoke Counties Service Type: Demand Responsive and Scheduled Service Number of Vehicles: 117 Number of Daily Trips: 1,100 Provider: Presbyterian Village Foundation Inc. Service Description: Transportation for Presbyterian Village Residents Eligibility: Presbyterian Village Residents Service Area: Pulaski and Saline Counties Service Type: Demand Responsive and Scheduled Group Trips Number of Vehicles: 2 Number of Daily Trips: 30 Provider: Sarah Daisy Garden Courts Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Residents of Facility

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Service Area: Little Rock Service Type: Scheduled Number of Vehicles: 1 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips 3 Provider: Senior Citizens Activities Today Inc. Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Senior Citizens Service Area: Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Maumelle Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 2 (one vehicle is accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 8 Provider: Senior Citizens Outreach Services Inc. Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Senior Citizen Service Area: North Little Rock (+ out-of-town field trips) Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 5 (two are accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 115 Provider: Sherwood Senior Center

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Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Senior Citizen residents of Sherwood Service Area: Sherwood Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 6 Number of Daily Trips: Not Available Provider: Theressa James Manor Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Facility Resident Service Area: Greater Little Rock (+ field trips scheduled outside the area) Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 1 (accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 16 Provider: Watershed Inc. Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Program Participants Service Area: Not restricted Service Type: Scheduled – Adult Day Care Number of Vehicles: 2

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Number of Daily Trips: 20 Provider: We Care Adult Daycare Center, Inc. Service Description: Senior Citizen Transportation Eligibility: Program Participants Service Area: Urbanized Portion of Pulaski County Service Type: Scheduled Number of Vehicles: 2 (one is accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 30 _____________________________________________________________ HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION Provider: AR Child Inc. Service Description: Home to Program transportation Eligibility: Enrolled in Program Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Scheduled Number of Vehicles: 4 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 50 (Mon.-Fri.) Provider: Baptist Health Service Description: Medical Transportation Eligibility: Open to all Baptist Health Patients

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Service Area: Little Rock & North Little Rock (with occasional service Beyond) Service Type: On demand Number of Vehicles; 1 (accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 50 Provider: CARTI (Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute) Service Description: Home to Clinic Eligibility: Undergoing Treatment at CARTI Service Area: Urbanized portion of Pulaski County and City of Benton Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 1 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips: varies from 4 to 20 (Monday through Friday with occasional weekend service) Provider: Center for Youth and Family Service Description: Transportation for youth with behavioral disabilities Eligibility: Persons who reside on the Campus Service Area: Little Rock Metro Area Service Type: Demand Responsive service for school, medical, and field trips Number of Vehicles: 1 (not accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 14 (seven days per week)

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Provider: Recovery Centers of Arkansas Inc. Service Description: Center to Meetings & Medical Appointments Eligibility: Center Clients Service Area: Little Rock / North Little Rock Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 3 (non-accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 60 Provider: St. Vincent Medical Foundation Service Description: Medical Transportation Eligibility: Low income St. Vincent Medical Center Patients Service Area: Little Rock Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 1 (accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 12 Provider: United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas Service Description: Medical and Program Transportation Eligibility: Program Participants Service Area: Greater Little Rock Service Type: Scheduled and Demand Responsive

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Number of Vehicles: 3 (2 accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 40 Provider: Youth Home, Inc. Service Description: Transportation for Mentally Disabled Eligibility: Program Participants Service Area: Pulaski County Service Type: Demand Responsive Number of Vehicles: 1 (not accessible) Number of Daily Trips: 7 INTERCITY RAIL & BUS PROVIDERS Provider: Amtrak Service Description: Daily inter-city rail transportation northbound to St. Louis and Chicago. Southbound trains serve Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Three days a week the southbound route is extended to Los Angeles via El Paso and Tucson. Connections can be made in St. Louis and Chicago to other Amtrak Routes. Service Area: USA and Canada Service Type: Scheduled intercity passenger rail service Station Location: 1400 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72001 Connecting Local Bus Service: CATA Routes 1 Pulaski Heights and 8 Rodney Parham serve Station.

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Provider: Greyhound / Jefferson Lines Service Description: Inter-city bus service to Memphis, Hot Springs, Dallas, & Oklahoma City. Connections can be made to points throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Station Location: 118 East Washington, North Little Rock, AR 72114 Connecting Local Bus Service: Station is served by CATA Routes 4 Levy, 7 East 9th, 10 McCain, 13 Pulaski Tech, 18 McAlmont, and the River Rail Streetcar system. SECTION 5 - COORDINATION As described, Pulaski County and the urbanized portions of Saline County are served by a variety of transportation providers. Coordination of these services can best be realized when funds and services are managed with centralized oversight by a lead agency while simultaneously encouraging joint ventures and partnerships. With CATA now in the role of administering Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Funds, awards of funding will largely be based on the level of coordination that is encompassed in the potential recipient’s proposal. Working with state and local agencies and with the regional planning agency, Metroplan, CATA has developed a range of services to meet transportation needs. These services include:

• A fully accessible fixed route system • An ADA compliant paratransit system that serves all locations within

3/4 mile of a fixed route bus line • Express bus service to outlying communities including Roland,

Jacksonville, Sherwood, Gravel Ridge, Hensley, Wrightsville, Maumelle, Morgan, and Oak Grove.

• Streetcar service connecting the urban centers of Little Rock and North Little Rock with stops at the Statehouse Convention Center, the River Market, Argenta, Alltel Arena, the Museum of Discovery, the

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Presidential Library, Heifer International, Historic Arkansas Museum, the Old Statehouse Museum, and downtown hotels in both Little Rock and North Little Rock.

In keeping with the integrated and multimodal nature of its transportation programs, information concerning all these services is described both on the company’s website cat.org and in the Central Arkansas Transit System Map and Guide. Fixed Route Services CATA operates a peak hour fleet of 42 buses that operate on 20 local routes and 4 express routes. All fixed route buses are accessible with either ramps or lifts. The fleet now includes 30 low-floor, ramp-equipped vehicles. The fixed route system is used extensively by persons with disabilities. Routes have been designed to serve local disability agencies and programs. Providing service to persons who use wheelchairs is no longer seen as unique or atypical. Paratransit CATA’s paratransit service is known locally as Links. Links serves persons with ADA eligible disabilities who travel to/from points within 3/4 mile of a CATA fixed route. When capacity is available service is provided to points beyond the 3/4-mile radius of fixed route service. ADA paratransit service is provided weekdays from 5:00 AM to 9:15 PM; Saturdays from 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM; and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM. Sunday service is not available in North Little Rock. Trip requests are accepted from 14 days in advance up to the afternoon before the day of service. The fixed route fare is $ 1.25 and the fare for Links trips is $ 2.50. A fleet of 18 accessible vehicles is operated to provide Links paratransit service. In 2006, Links provided 56,051 one-way trips. Flexible Paratransit Capacity CATA subcontracts with Yellow Cab to provide back-up capacity when needed. Trips that cannot be efficiently scheduled into Links runs are referred to the taxi company. The taxi company also serves as a backup in the event of operating problems. From May through December 2006,

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Yellow Cab provided 343 trips or about one percent of all trips. This flexibility allows Links to accommodate virtually all ADA eligible requests. Funding Coordination CATA is the designated Pulaski County recipient and administrator for JARC and New Freedom funds. CATA allocates funds as prescribed to help meet the transportation needs of elderly, disabled and low-income individuals throughout Pulaski County. CATA also works to assist with transportation projects in the urbanized portions of Saline County including Benton, and Bryant. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) administers 5310 monies. CATA, AHTD, and Metroplan work together to make responsible decisions with respect to coordinated services throughout the urbanized area. Each of the above agencies is provided a comment period before 5310, JARC, or New Freedoms monies are authorized. CATA offers reduced cost fares on fixed-route and streetcar services to persons with disabilities and persons 62 years of age or older. These individuals with proper CATA ID’s may ride on all fixed-route and streetcar services for half the regular price. In addition to reduced fares, CATA works with educational institutions and employers to provide discounted passes for students, faculty, and staff. SECTION 6 - ASSESSMENT In 2006, CATA contracted with McDonald Transit Associates to provide an independent review of CATA services and funding. The report made the following findings concerning CATA service

• CATA has operated with a similar route structure for many years. Customers are relatively comfortable with the service but have specific ideas for improvement

• The route structure has been adjusted over time to increase coverage with a minimum increase in operating cost. With few exceptions, this has led to a geographic service coverage that is adequate. However, the result is a complex system that is difficult to communicate to potential customers and creates long trip times

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• CATA cut service by 15% in last six years and is only now recovering through increased ridership. This indicates a latent demand for service that can be addressed in the Plan.

• The staffing levels are low compared to its peers with similar levels of service.

• The facilities are up-to-date and perform reasonably well. Operating facility space is tight, but CATA has a Master Plan for improvement to the space that can be implemented as needed.

• Passenger amenities, such as shelters and benches, are lacking in most of the service area.

• Over 50% of the fixed route vehicles are due for replacement in 2008, with 38% of them due in 2006.

• All of the paratransit vehicles are due for replacement by 2008. • Although service levels are comparable to its peer agencies, CATA’s

productivity is lower. • Fare recovery is higher than the selected peer group and operating

costs are lower than the peer group average. • Links paratransit service has had a significant increase in boardings,

with an associated increase in operating costs over the last six years. • There are routes in which land use and/or trip generator characteristics

have changed over time, resulting in the need for a change on many of the existing routes.

• Service needs to be re-aligned to more closely match route structure and levels of service to demand.

• Service standards are not as comprehensive as they should be, resulting in less opportunity to actively monitor system and route performance.

• Marketing programs could be improved and have suffered due the lack of staff available to focus on these efforts.

Emerging Developments Coordination takes time, effort, flexibility, and centralized command. Having public transportation providers and human service agencies that understand the value of working together and are invested is important. Equally important is that federal, state, and local regulations and funding steams are both unified and simplified. When agencies are subject to different sets of safety, service requirements, and insurance requirements

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opportunities to jointly share transportation resources are severely constrained. Below are emerging concerns: Demand for Service Increases in demand are putting pressure on the delivery system. The flow of residents into suburban areas has increased the costs of service delivery, as vehicles must travel greater distances to reach clients. Unlike traditional fixed-route bus service where additional customers can usually be accommodated within existing resources, paratransit service is constrained by pickup times and travel distances between stops. Even the most productive paratransit systems are unable to average more than about 3 passengers per vehicle hour. This level compares with the more productive fixed-route systems that average more than 40 passengers per vehicle hour. In major urban centers, some fixed-route bus services have achieved productivity levels that exceed 100 passengers per vehicle hour. Funding Sources The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Equity ACT of 2003 (SAFETEA-LU) SAFETEA-LU is a six-year transportation authorization bill that authorizes funds for fiscal years 2004 –2009. The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) requires projects funded from 2007 appropriations to be developed through a regional planning process. This includes funding for:

• 5310 – Elderly and Disabled Transportation • 5316 – Jobs Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) • 5317 – New Freedoms

5316 Jobs Access and Reverse Commute (JARC): The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century authorized the Job Access and Reverse Commute program to increase transportation options to low income workers. Many suburban areas lack a sufficient transportation infrastructure that effectively limits access to 2/3 of low-income jobs that are now located in the suburbs. At the same time 3/4 of welfare recipients reside in inner city neighborhoods. JARC is designed to reduce this imbalance in potential employees and work locations.

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CATA is the designated administrator for JARC funds in Pulaski County and the urbanized portions of Saline County. CATA will distribute all or a portion of these funds through a competitive process. Projects funded with JARC funds must be derived from the “Coordinated Plan”. 5317 New Freedoms: The New Freedom Initiative is a comprehensive program to promote the full participation of persons with disabilities into the greater community. Increased access to transportation might include assistive and universally designed technologies, expanded educational and employment opportunities, and promoting improved access into community life. New Freedoms is also a competitive program that will provide persons with disabilities with additional transportation services to increase access to the job market. The FTA will distribute funds to AHTD for small urban and rural areas. CATA will be the administrator of the New Freedoms Program for Pulaski County and the urbanized portions of Saline County. All or a portion of these funds will be distributed using a competitive process.