Travel Training Program Background Travel Training Services provided

Travel Training Program

Background • Travel Training Services provided by Contractor (R&D Transportation) • R&D is a transportation management firm with various contracts throughout California • A staff of six manage, supervise and provide travel training services

Background • Travel Training is an extensive course of training and assessment to ensure Access customers can safely and confidently use public fixed route transportation • Contract requires a maximum of 250 trainings per fiscal year • Travel Training Services are free to eligible customers

Eligibility • Applicants who complete the Access eligibility process could be potential candidates for travel training • Customers with Unrestricted eligibility status are given priority • Customers with Denied or Temporary eligibility status are considered for travel training after review of eligibility evaluation reports

Eligibility • Travel Training is not provided to children under the age of five years old • Minors who receive travel training must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or PCA • Participation in travel training will not affect the eligibility status of Access customers

Assessment Interview Before initial training, the Travel Instructor will interview potential candidate to ensure he/she has the basic skill set to participate in training Abilities to be assessed Ability to safely cross the street Ability to remain focused on assigned tasks Ability to identify landmarks Appropriate social interaction

Instruction • Specialized training is patterned after the Easter Seals program curriculum • Each training is customized to the strengths and needs of the individual • Length of trainings vary based on the daily assessments of the progress of the trainee

Training Modules • • Accessing Public Transportation Appropriate Social Interaction Asking for Help Dress for Weather Conditions Identify Landmarks Reading Transit Schedules Street Safety Stranger Safety

Budget • Three year contract worth $1. 3 million plus option years • Average rate person = $914 • Average rate person (option year) = $1, 029

Benefits • Since contract start in May 2008 through March 2011, 668 Access customers completed travel training • Of the 668 customers, 63% (424) were still using public fixed route transit

Benefits • It is estimated that travel trained customers have taken 71, 564 trips on fixed route • Estimated cost savings to the region is approximately $2. 5 million

Benefits Learning to use public transportation gives individuals many benefits: • Increased Self-Esteem • Self Assurance • Broadened Job, School, and Social Options • Increased Self-Reliance

Customer Independence • Travel Training opens doors to new opportunities through greater mobility and independence • Travel Training allows people with disabilities to gain life enriching experiences and the confidence to pursue an independent and gratifying life