R2013-30 AMENDING AGREEMENT WITH ALPHA & OMEGA TRANSIT NETWORK, INC.

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Mass Transit Memorandum No. 031113-1 March 11,2013 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 o Resolution approving an RECOMMENDATION: amendment of the Agreement with Alpha& Omega Transit Network, Inc., to add a$2.50 surcharge for each trip made by a rider in a wheel- chair 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 and livery companies: Alpha& Omega Transit Network and A-1 Taxi. 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 has announced that it will soon begin operating a wheelchair accessible van, available to wheelchair riders under Operation Uplift. Alpha& Omega Transit Network has requested an amendment of its Agreement with the City, in order to add a surcharge for each trip made by a rider in a wheelchair in their van. The company has requested a $2.50 surcharge per trip to offset their additional costs of operating this vehicle, 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. Staff has determined that the average fare for a trip provided by Alpha& Omega Transit Network to date has been $11.10. On May 1, with the fare increase programmed into Year 2 of the current Agreement, their average fare for a trip will become $13.12. If the requested $2.50 surcharge is approved, the company's average fare for a wheelchair rider would be $13.60, and $15.62 beginning on May 1. That is significantly less than the Transit System's estimated average cost for a trip in one of it's wheelchair accessible vans: $16.92 currently and $17.79 beginning on May 1.