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3. Comparing the number of riders per capita and trips per capita in Decatur to other ' <br /> similar-sized systems; and <br /> 4. Considering comments from riders about unmet needs. <br /> Measure the Effects of Fares on Ridership <br /> The Contractor understands that the paratransit fare was increased on May 1, 2002 from 75 cents <br /> to the current$1.50 per trip. As part of this study,the Contractor shall consider the impacts of <br /> this fare increase. This shall be done as follows: <br /> ♦ The average total daily ridership before May 1 2002 shall be compared to daily ridership <br /> after that date; <br /> ♦ Average subscription and non-subscription ridership before and after May 1, 2002 shall <br /> be compared. It is likely that riders making regular trips for essential medical care, work, <br /> etc. will not have been affected by the increase whereas discretionary trips for shopping <br /> and personal business would have been affected. <br /> ♦ Any other service changes that might have impacted ridership during this period shall be <br /> considered; and <br /> ♦ Interviews with riders about the impacts of the fare increase on their travel patterns shall <br /> be considered. <br /> In addition to documenting the actual impact of the doubling of fares in May 2002,the <br /> Contractor shall use this data to estimate what impact a possible further increase in paratransit <br /> fares might have on ridership. A fare elasticity for Decatur shall be developed using national <br /> models calibrated with actual service data from the recent change. <br /> Impacts of Citywide Service on Ridership <br /> It is also noted that Decatur has elected to provide ADA paratransit service throughout the entire <br /> City rather than only in areas within 3/4 of a mile of fixed routes. It is likely that there are some <br /> areas of the City where service is not required by federal regulations. The number of trips <br /> provided outside of the minimum 3/4 mile corridors and the impacts on service cost shall be <br /> estimated. <br /> While it is unlikely that a decision will be made to cut back to the minimum required service area <br /> (since the service has been provided citywide for years and riders have likely made life decisions <br /> based on the availability of the service),this information might be helpful in the future. <br /> To develop this estimate,the Contractor shall develop a map of the current fixed routes and areas <br /> within 3/4 of a mile of these routes. The Contractor shall then review about 100 randomly <br /> selected trips from each provider(van and the two taxi operations). The origins and destinations <br /> of these trips shall be compared to the fixed route map. The number and percent of all trips that <br /> are outside the 3/4 mile minimum corridors shall be developed. <br /> Decatur Public Transit System 18 Paratransit Planning Study Agreemenl <br />