September 12, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: September 12, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Lori Reese, Project Manager
Subject:
Standard Contract with Trans Metro, Inc. for On-Call
paratransit services and Outreach
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for the contract will be supported with Measure J funds for paratransit service operations in west Contra Costa County (Paratransit Fund 1003 and 11785051
2A1JQ).
Measure J funds support qualified users residing in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of West County
as identified in the guidelines. Measure J funds are
disbursed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority
(CCTA) biannually and are specifically allocated to transit providers for outreach and transportation services that support disabled and elderly persons.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The contract between the City of Richmond and Trans
Metro, Inc. will support gaps in ridership for resident users in the incorporated and unincorporated areas
served in west Contra Costa County.
AGENDA
REPORT
September 12, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE the standard contract with Trans Metro, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $250,000, from September 12,
2023 through September 30, 2024, to support community
outreach and existing paratransit van services for seniors and disabled individuals residing in Richmond and
incorporated and unincorporated areas in West County
per Measure J guidelines – Community Services
Department (LaShonda White 510-620-6828/ Lori Reese
510-620-6869).
DISCUSSION:
Since 1976, the mission of R-Transit (Richmond’s paratransit service) van service is to provide safe and reliable transportation service for seniors (55 and older), and disabled individuals (18 years and older) for improving access to community services and activities, and to enhance an individual’s ability to live independently.
Since March 2018, R-Transit van users have been able to use LYFT through an agreement between the City and LYFT. The LYFT service agreement allows users the opportunity to choose available travel options (i.e., LYFT, paratransit van service, and/or Richmond MOVES services) depending on one’s travel needs. The contract with LYFT was renewed in 2023 for the continuation of services.
For personal and medical needs, clients have the option of using LYFT or the City’s paratransit van service. In recent years, City staff have encouraged clients to use LYFT due to the limited number of available R-Transit van drivers. The City receives Measure J funds to fund its paratransit program and is required to submit an annual claim form with ridership data. It was determined that residents in the unincorporated and incorporated areas could benefit from increased access to services.
To increase access to and use of R-Transit services by all eligible residents, City staff is interested in contracting with Trans Metro, Inc. to help expand service delivery and reach. This contract will assist the City with meeting the Measure J guidelines, the Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) recommended action, and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s (CCTA) approval of the submitted claim form to receive funding.
In April 2023, City Transportation staff released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for qualifying firm responses to support outreach and as-needed paratransit services. Two proposals were received from Bay Area Charters and Trans Metro, Inc. A panel comprised of two Richmond Commission on Aging members and one City staff member reviewed and ranked the proposals and interviewed vendors. Trans Metro, Inc. ranked the highest.
September 12, 2023
The contract term is for one year starting on September 12, 2023 through September 30, 2024, and will be assessed annually as claim forms are submitted to CCTA to ensure Measure J guidelines are met, outreach is performed, and users are effectively served. The as-needed, supplemental service will also ensure rides in the absence of existing R-Transit van drivers (vacations, sick time, etc.). The contract will support the only two paratransit City drivers with transporting clients to more than five cities and will assist with outreach to residents to support existing and potentially increased ridership.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – COR/Trans Metro, Inc. Standard Contract
Attachment 2 – RFP
Attachment 3 – Bids Online Report
Attachment 4 – Proposal Matrix Scores