Executive Summary In the spring of 2015, MBTA staff, in consultation with advisory groups, began developing a pilot project designed to further understand the economic characteristics of RIDE users, and to evaluate the feasibility of using participation in existing means-tested social service programs as a basis for implementing means-based fares. The key principles guiding program development were: financial sustainability, equity across both RIDE and all MBTA customers, and easy implementation. Pilot Project Design The six Pilot Project began on July 1, 2015 and included 600 participants in The RIDE program who are also registered users of one or more of 18 income based public benefit programs. These programs all served customers that were at 300% of the federal poverty level or below. This design included both ADA and Premium trips (non-ADA). ADA trips are booked by 5:00 pm the previous day and begin and end within ¾ mile of a bus/subway route or station and must be offered in accordance with federal law. Premium trips include both same day service and those that exceed the ¾ corridor. All trips received a $1 discount. This equates to a 33 percent discount for ADA trips that normally cost $3 and a 20 percent discount for Premium trips (normally $5). Pilot Project Implementation The Means Testing Working Group developed a schedule of tasks and activities to be completed in order to implement the Pilot Project as of July 1, 2015. The Pilot Project tasks are presented below. Initial Pilot Project Survey Selection of Project Participants Administration Pilot Project Execution The organizations that comprised the Project Working Group included: MBTA’s Office of Transportation Access (OTA); Massachusetts Senior Action Council (Mass Senior Action); Access Advisory Committee (AACT); the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston (Collins Center); and Pierlott & Associates, LLC (PALLC). Pilot Project Evaluation The Pilot Project evaluation rests on the assessment of three goals. These included the following: Feasibility the first goal of the Pilot Project was determine its feasibility. There are two – components of this goal operational and administrative. –
Executive Summary In the spring of 2015, MBTA staff, in consultation with advisory groups, began developing a pilot project designed to further understand the economic characteristics of RIDE users, and to evaluate the feasibility of using participation in existing means-tested social service programs as a basis for implementing means-based fares. The key principles guiding program development were: financial sustainability, equity across both RIDE and all MBTA customers, and easy implementation. Pilot Project Design The six Pilot Project began on July 1, 2015 and included 600 participants in The RIDE program who are also registered users of one or more of 18 income based public benefit programs. These programs all served customers that were at 300% of the federal poverty level or below. This design included both ADA and Premium trips (non-ADA). ADA trips are booked by 5:00 pm the previous day and begin and end within ¾ mile of a bus/subway route or station and must be offered in accordance with federal law. Premium trips include both same day service and those that exceed the ¾ corridor. All trips received a $1 discount. This equates to a 33 percent discount for ADA trips that normally cost $3 and a 20 percent discount for Premium trips (normally $5). Pilot Project Implementation The Means Testing Working Group developed a schedule of tasks and activities to be completed in order to implement the Pilot Project as of July 1, 2015. The Pilot Project tasks are presented below. Initial Pilot Project Survey Selection of Project Participants Administration Pilot Project Execution The organizations that comprised the Project Working Group included: MBTA’s Office of Transportation Access (OTA); Massachusetts Senior Action Council (Mass Senior Action); Access Advisory Committee (AACT); the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston (Collins Center); and Pierlott & Associates, LLC (PALLC). Pilot Project Evaluation The Pilot Project evaluation rests on the assessment of three goals. These included the following: Feasibility – the first goal of the Pilot Project was determine its feasibility. There are two components of this goal – operational and administrative.