R2013-88 AMENDING THE AGREEMENT WITH AOK TRAVEL NETWORK, INC.

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To Mass Transit Memorandum t 6..� tom----P No. 080913-1 Ao 6, --r -k— August 9, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor McElroy and City Council Members FROM: Ryan P. McCrady, City Manager Paul McChancy, Mass Transit Administrator SUBJECT: Amendment of Agreement for Operation Uplift Services SUMMARY Staff recommends that Council adopt a Resollution approving an RECOMMENDATION: amendment of the Agreement with AOK Travel Network, Inc., to add a$2.50 surcharge for each trip made by a rider in a wheelchair in the company's wheelchair accessible van under the Transit System's Operation Uplift program. BACKGROUND: The Operation Uplift program provides door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use the bus system. The program uses the Transit System's seven wheelchair lift vans, and also contracts with two local taxicab/livery companies: Alpha& Omega Transit Network and AOK Travel Network. In the past these private companies have owned and operated only sedans and minivans, and were never able to transport riders in wheelchairs. Alpha& Omega Transit Network recently began operating a wheelchair accessible van, and in March, 2013, Council approved the company's request for a$2.50 per trip surcharge for the use of its wheelchair vats. Now AOK Travel Network has announced that it will also begin operating a wheelchair accessible van, available to wheelchair riders;under Operation Uplift. The attached letter shows that AOK Travel Nietwork originally requested a surcharge of$3.50 per trip. After discussions with staff, AOK Travel Network has opted to request the same surcharge that Council approved for Alpha& Omega Transit Network -- $2.50 per trip. The company has requested a per trip surcharge to offset their additional costs of operating this vehicle, over the normal costs of operating their sedans and minivans, such as: • additional time required to secure the wheelchair in the van; • additional vehicle operating expenses for fuel due to the larger size of the vehicle; and • additional insurance cost due to the category of the vehicle. While the two private companies have different fare schedules (AOK Travel Network being less expensive than Alpha& Omega Transit Network on average), both companies will have nearly identical incremental costs for the use of their wheelchair vans.