A Grassroots Effort
Transportation for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Letter of Intent >
Background Information >
Dear Providers:
In recent months the Oregon Transit Association Board of Directors has formed a special
committee on Senior and People with Disability (SPD) Transportation. The intention of the
group is to assist the ODOT/DHS budget note working group and to formulate our own
grassroots effort above and beyond what is instructed by the budget note to secure increased
funding for SPD Transportation.
The budget note that I refer to was inserted into the Department of Human Services budget
during the final days of the 2007 legislative session. The transit lobby team worked hard for
additional Senior and People with Disability Funding during 2007, but was unsuccessful for a
variety of reasons. We had the hearts and ears of many legislators throughout the session, but
the dollars just weren’t there for us. The budget note was an attempt to keep our momentum
and make sure that our issue will be revisited in 2009.
So, as instructed by the budget note, DHS and the Department of Transportation are doing
everything necessary to “…investigate sources of new revenue to enhance funding for elderly
and disabled transportation services, with consideration of both urban and rural Oregon.”
Our job, as an advocacy association is to tell “the rest of the story.” It’s not news to you that
the need for Senior and People with Disabilities Transportation is rapidly growing and funds
are stagnate or decreasing. So, we need you to tell that story to your legislators. They need to
hear about our crisis!
In February, legislators will come back for a 25-day long session to test drive annual sessions.
We know that the work for the budget note will not be complete, and we will not ask for
anything out of this special session. We will however, have all the legislators in one place and
can make them aware of our issue and identify our champions for 2009. But, first, we’d like
you to hit them with your story. Lobbyists are important, but it’s the constituents that can
really make a difference.
Please contact your legislator January 22-25 and tell your story. We have included some
talking points and background information to help you. Let me know if you have any
questions and please e-mail or call with notes from your conversations with your lawmakers.
Background Information
Funds are allocated through the Special Transportation Fund Program to
Transportation Districts, counties, and Indian Tribal Governments in Oregon to deliver
or contract with providers to deliver transportation services to seniors and people with
disabilities.
Special Needs Transportation is supported by state revenues (cigarette tax, ID Card
fees, and Transportation Operating Fund) and federal funds, including the FTA New
Freedom program that provides funds for services benefiting individuals with
disabilities. Seventy-five percent of the state money is distributed as formula grants
based on population. The other 25 percent of the state money and federal funds are
distributed as discretionary grants based on need and merit.
Our Message…
- Demand is growing at an alarming rate, while resources are dwindling. (i.e. There will
be an STF funding cut over the next two years of 11%)
- We understand that the February 2008 Legislative Session has a limited agenda, but
please make us a priority in 2009
- If you have data, please share it with your legislator. (i.e. In Fiscal Year 2007, the STF
Formula Fund is expected to generate approximately $572,000 for Lane Transit
District’s ADA paratransit service, while the LTD general fund contribution to the
service is budgeted at $1,935,000. Over the years, the LTD contribution has increased
substantially while the tobacco tax revenues have stayed flat.)
- How many rides do you provide? What is your turndown rate due to lack of funds?
The Issues and Trends…
- Aging Population — One of the most significant challenges transit faces is that the
population at both the national and state level is aging. From national studies, we
know that 25 percent of people over 75 years of age do not drive, and that, on average,
people live from seven to 11 years after they stop driving. Oregon’s population age 65+
is projected to grow 367 percent from 300,000 in 1980 to 1.1 million in 2040. The
population of urban counties where 64 percent of Oregonians live, and where more
transit service is available, averages about 12 percent age 65+. The population of rural
counties is older with about 16 percent age 65+ on average.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — ADA regulations have significant impact on
transit service design. ADA regulations require that services be open and available to
individuals with disabilities on an equivalent basis. Public fixed route providers are
required to provide a service called, “Complementary Paratransit,” or services that
“complement” their fixed route service.
- Coordination — A recent federal (SAFETEA-LU) and state requirement (STF
Administrative Rule adopted January 2005) is to create a “coordinated human service
public coordination plan.” This new planning requirement offers local communities and
human service agencies an opportunity to evaluate their local services and service needs
to improve service through coordination and resource enhancement.
- Increasing Costs of Fuel, Insurance, and Regulation — Transit faces increasing cost
pressures in a number of areas—fuel, insurance, and costs associated by recent
international events. The FTA and Homeland Security are imposing new safety and
security standards with compliance costs. Environmental concerns include more severe
particulate emission standards and the requirement to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
Our Solution…
- The 2007 Legislature directed the Department of Human Services and ODOT, through
a DHS budget note to:
“…investigate new sources of new revenue to enhance funding for elderly and
disabled transportation services, with consideration of both urban and rural
Oregon.”
- A budget note steering committee and working group has formed and has hired a
consultant to analyze:
- Demographic baseline
- Trend analysis
- Quantify transit need
- Cost of Service
- Other as identified
- An analysis will estimate data through a twenty year period
- The data pertains to individuals with disabilities of all ages and older adults
aged 60 and older
- Sources of information will include census data and statistically valid studies
- A grassroots effort by stakeholders to convince decision-makers of the need and urgency
of the issue. Please help us tell our story. Call your legislators January 22-25 and tell
them the story in their district.
Your Task…
1. Create a few district specific talking points
2. Use local data to argue your point
3. Collect a personal story from a rider
4. Call your legislator January 22-25, 2008 and tell your story
5. Report back to Kelsey Wilson at the Oregon Transit Association
If you have questions about how to reach your legislator or need further information, please
contact Kelsey Wilson, OTA, 503.636.8188 or kw@oregontransit.com.