SR-112707-1B~-
~;,YO, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: November 27, 2007
Agenda Item: ~-~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Second Extension of Dial-A-Ride Paratransit Contract
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize a second extension of the current
Dial-A-Ride Paratransit Contractor's Agreement on a month-to-month basis for a period
not to exceed three months.
Executive Summary
Extension of the current Dial-A-Ride Paratransit contractor's agreement, on a month-to-
month basis for a period not to exceed three months from January 1, 2008 through no
later than March 31, 2008, will provide time for the procurement of new vehicles. If the
new vehicles were to become available before the term of the extension period and if
the City completes a bid process with the selection of a new contractor by Council, the
City would have the option to cancel the extension by submitting a 30-day advance
written notice to the contractor.
Background
WISE/Santa Monica Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb paratransit service offered to any
Santa Monica resident who is at least 60 years old or who has a disability and is at least
18 years of age. Clients make phone reservations for trips to and from any location
within Santa Monica, for any purpose, seven days a week. On designated days, trips
are offered to select medical facilities outside of Santa Monica. Weekly evening service,
monthly shopping excursions and transportation to arid from City Council meetings are
also offered. The fare is 50 cents per one-way trip.
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WISE Senior Services promotes the service in the community, processes client
registration forms, and conducts monthly orientation programs for new Dial-A-Ride
patrons. Big Blue Bus provides overall management including quality control;
community liaison, and the development of service innovations. The contractor for the
Dial-A-Ride service provides and maintains all transit vehicles as well as performs
reservation, dispatch and driver functions. These functions have been provided by a
contractor since the beginning of Big Blue Bus management of the service in 1996. The
provision of individual curb-to-curb van trips for seriiors and persons with disabilities
requires a level of expertise which experience around the country has shown to be
provided best and at a significantly lower cost by firms specialized in this type of
service. The current three-year service agreement with Transportation Concepts for
providing paratransit services became effective May 1, 2004. Service has been
satisfactory.
Discussion
The service has traditionally been operated with vehicles provided by the contractor.
However, the City has recently received grant funds from the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to purchase paratransit vehicles to be
operated and maintained by the firm selected through the upcoming bid process.
Modifying the service contract from contractor-provided vehicles to City-provided
vehicles purchased with grant funds would lower the cost of the service to the City
because the vehicle cost is currently included in the overall cost of service provided by
the contractor. The requested MTA grant funds of $202,500 should lower the cost of
the service to the City by approximately the same amount spread out over the six-year
life of the vehicles. Approval by the MTA Board of the grant funds was expected by
June 2007 but was delayed until September. A staff report was submitted
recommending the purchase of the vehicles and it was approved by Council on October
23. BBB immediately ordered the vehicles which are now anticipated to be delivered
early in calendar year 2008, just after the current extension expires on December 31,
2007. To not extend the contract would leave Santa Monica Dial-A-Ride without an
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operator. Transportation Concepts has agreed to provide the service on a month-to-
month basis for a period not to exceed three months until a complete procurement
process is completed. At that time, staff will also evaluate bringing the service in-house.
Previous Council Actions
The current contractor's agreement expired April 30, 2007 and was extended by Council
on April 24, 2007 for a period not to exceed eight months. Purchase of the new
vehicles was approved by Council on October 23, 2007.
Financial Impact & Budget Actions
During the second extension period the current hourly rate of $66.28 would remain in
effect. The monthly cost is estimated to be approximately $50,000 with a total not to
exceed $160,000. Dial-A-Ride service is funded annually through the Proposition A
Local Return Program approved in June each year through the MTA. There are
sufficient Prop A Local Return funds for the current Fiscal Year available through the
current allocation in account 41603.55501 B.
Prepared by:
Paul Casey, Senior Transit Programs Analyst
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Step~nie Negriff 1 ~1 - P. L
Dire or of Transit Services ~./ City
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Reference
Amended Contract
No. 8839 (CCS)