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:
- 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.